http://www.autonews.com/

Though, I don't have a subscription and can't get anymore detail than what's in the headline. It does clearly states that Mazda wants to build a coupe and convertible variants of the RX-8. That will be cool. We all know about the coupe (RX7/9), but the convertible option is new to me. I know that the convertible options has been tossed around on the forum a few times, but I never took it seriously, until I heard Mazda mentioned it.

At first, I was thinking that a convertible RX-8/7 would cannibalize sales from the Miata, but then I know a lot of Miata owners. Though many want a more power from their MX-5 (see those with turbo and supercharger kits), many are very satisified with the little convertible the way it is. Also, even more like the fact that it's a piston engine instead of a rotary.

Though, this will mean a dip in Miata sales, I hope this will also mean a dip in MR2, Z4, and Boxster sales as well. Time will tell, but first Mazda has to build it.

 

I don't think it will dip into Miata sales because it will be in a totally different price point. Convertibles are generally higher priced than their hardtop counterparts, so I'm guessing $30k for the base convertible, whereas a base Miata is somewhere in the very low $20's.

 

I think by the coupe means it is a 2 doors like a RX-7, or really it means a RX-7 kind of coupe. :D

 

This has already bean posted in the media news section. Here is a link

 

It's a big and ugly scan, but from Automotive News issue this week.



Note the projected Sales figures. Now can we put to rest the rumors that Mazda intends to share the platform with Ford at this time? :D