earthtone7se

Hey guys, I was just thinking about the next RX-7 the other day and decided to create my dream 4th gen on paper. Hope you all like this. Maybe it will spark up a good debate

4th Generation RX-7 (Dream Lineup)

Model Years: 2016-2020

Trim: S (base) GS and GSL

Engine: 1.3L 2-Rotor (13X), Direct-Injected, 250hp, 152tq. 27/33 mpg (city/hwy)
Trans: 6-speed Manual, 6-speed Automatic or 7-speed dual-clutch Automatic.
Curb Weight: 2,730 lbs.
Performance: 0-60 in 5.3 seconds, Quarter Mile in 14.0 seconds at 101 mph. 0.97-1.01 Lateral G's.
Price: $29K - $36K
Available: 2015-2020
Info: The base S trim comes with 17” wheels and the choice of manual or automatic transmission. The GS trim adds 18” wheels and the availability of an upgraded suspension and optional leather seats. The GSL adds standard leather seats and optional Recaro seats, optional 18” wheels and sunroof. The upgraded suspension is also standard on the GSL. The 7-speed DCT is available on the GSL only and replaces the option of the 6-speed auto.

Trim: GSL-SE

Engine: 1.6L 2-Rotor (16X), Direct-Injected, 290hp, 165tq. 25/31 mpg (city/hwy)
Trans: 6-Speed Manual or 7-speed Dual-Clutch Automatic.
Curb Weight: 2,805 lbs.
Performance: 0-60 in 4.9 seconds, Quarter Mile in 13.6 seconds at 111 mph. 1.02 Lateral G's.
Price: $37 - $40K
Available: 2016-2020
Info: All of the standard equipment including the optional, sunroof and Recaro seats From the GSL as well as GSL-SE specific 18” wheels are standard on the GSL-SE. The suspension is further upgraded and larger Brembo brakes are available.

Trim: GSL-H

Engine: 1.3L 2-Rotor (13X), Direct-Injected, 225 hp, 149tq, and (2) 50hp electric Motors
35/37 mpg (city/hwy)
Trans: 6-speed Automatic.
Curb weight: 2,980 lbs.
Performance: 0-60 in 5.0 seconds, Quarter Mile in 13.9 seconds at 110 mph. 0.95 Lateral G's.
Price: $42K - $45K
Available: 2017-2020
Info: All of the standard and optional equipment from the GSL are standard on the GSL-H. The 18” Wheels are of a design unique to the GSL-H.

Trim: MS-R (Mazdaspeed Racing)

Engine: 2.4L 3-Rotor (24X), Direct-Injected with rotor deactivation, 375hp, 225tq.
22/31 mpg (city/hwy)
Trans: 7-speed Dual-Clutch Automatic.
Curb Weight: 2,680 lbs.
Performance: 0-60 in 4.4 seconds, Quarter Mile in 12.6 seconds at 120 mph. 1.07 Lateral G's.
Price: $48K - $50K
Available: 2019-2020
Info: The MS-R has a suspension tuned by Mazdaspeed that is upgraded beyond the GSL-SE and ready for the track. The MS-R is stripped of any luxury equipment beyond what is available on the base S trim. Special MS-R specific 18” forged aluminum wheels, Brembo brakes and Recaro seats are standard. Much of the sound deadening materials are removed and the roof panel and hood are carbon fiber. The wheels and tires are widened by 1” over the GSL-SE at all four corners and the suspension sits 1” lower than the GSL-SE. Only 1979 are available in the US.

Dliverance

iTrader: (9)

Curb weight on the "ms-r" would be tough to pull off.

Why a 7 speed automatic?

13x

I'll go back up and read further.... but I like the engine!!! lmao

NCross

iTrader: (18)

Sadly the Mazda rotary will never be produced again.

earthtone7se

@NCross: Dude, I can't believe you said that! It's coming, and will be better than ever!
@Deliverance: Not really, especially when you consider that the next Miata is supposed to weigh 2200-2300 lbs. Also, 7-speed "dual-clutch" automatic. Big difference. DCT's are faster and def. the way of the future. (Just look at the EVO MR, GT-R, 911 GT3 and Turbo, Ferrari everything, McLaren everything, etc.)
@13x lol!

Markus1981

Well I would prefer a turboed 16x

earthtone7se

16x Turbo would be cool, but I think they'll stay away from turbocharging like they did with the RX-8. Who knows though....
The sweet spot of this lineup for me is the GSL-SE. The MS-R is pure fantasy lol!

aa35199

iTrader: (1)

+1, My dream 4th gen RX-7 would be one that exists.

Sadly people that don't like cars are the ones that will buy them new en mass, hence the reason most automakers are focused on churning out AWD minivans with out 3rd row seats or sliding doors, I believe they call it a "cross over". Car manufactures don't care about us the enthusiasts or our fleet of ancient rickety Mazdas that don't produce any profit for them.

7speed

As much as we all love to dream, if Mazda ever does produce another 7, which I think they will, it'll be done on the cheap (as possible). One engine configuration across all lines, auto. transmission will be borrowed from another model (RX8), and I think it'll borrow a lot of interior design characteristics from the Mazda 3 if it wants to be successful. Building an all-out street/race car would be great but for the car to really sell it needs to be a cheap, back to the basics approach that really puts a spotlight on the engine. Fuel economy is important as well but it seems like they have that figured out somewhat with the whole direct injection thing. Bottom line, if the car is quick, and a great driving experience at a realistic price point people will flock to it, even in this economy! The FR-S is a very good example.

NCross

iTrader: (18)

Mazda has ceased production of the rotary engine. It won't be produced ever again.

DreamInRotary

iTrader: (49)

Yeah, the MS-R model would have to be a manual and nothing else (unless the flappy-paddle gearbox responded like a Ferrari's). And these options all sound delicious but probably wouldn't happen.

The reason the FD was killed off after only importing for barely 3 years here was the high price. It was competing with Porsche in price for an engine that people didn't trust or want to rebuild and there just wasn't enough demand for them. In order to make the rotary coupe popular again they'd have to go back to the First and the early Second Gen days where the pricing was similar to that of domestic sports cars (Mustangs, Camaros, etc.) but the cars are lighter and feel quicker with the rotary versus the piston engine.

There are rumors of the 16x being produced and tested for street cars though. And the designer of the FD said there will be a rotary powered Mazda coupe in 2017 or thereabouts.

We can all hope and dream

NCross

iTrader: (18)

Jeremy Clarkson couldnt have said it better. lol

DreamInRotary

iTrader: (49)

I've been watching a lot of Top Gear lately, can ya tell? I also tried to sound like that

NCross

iTrader: (18)

Even 2nd gens were pretty high priced $20,000 plus for a series 5.

NCross

iTrader: (18)

Not to mention the RX-8 is getting close to the same price of a clean FC. They can be found for sale all day for $5000.

earthtone7se

Here's a link to the official 16X rotary page on the Mazda site:
MAZDA:16X | The Rotary Engine

I don't think they would go through this much trouble for something they weren't going to produce. In reality, I believe the next RX-7 would have to go back to basics with a single engine like the first gen. I think the S, GS and GSL models that I listed are the most likely, except with the 16X making about 250 hp. If sales are good we might see a 300 hp GSL-SE tops.

NCross

iTrader: (18)

Without Ford around to back them up anymore it will be risky for them to produce wankels again. Ford assumed a lot of Mazdas debt over the years.

earthtone7se

When Ford was involved, Mazda was basically selling platforms shared with Ford, they didn't have much of their own identity and their development funds were tightly controlled by another entity. Aside from the Miata and more recently the 3, their lineup was basically made up of also-rans or low volume RX's on expensive unique platforms. That's a recipe for languishing if you ask me. This new crop of Mazda originals (CX-5, 6 and new 3) are being more well-received and selling better out of the gate than any Mazda lineup since the rotary powered 70's, and their not sharing the profits with Ford. If the rest of the lineup does well (which it already is) Mazda will make a new 7. In terms of platforms being available, the new Miata/Alfa Roadster platform can easily support another model with a slightly longer wheelbase. Basically, Mazda is about to be more profitable on their own than they ever were under Ford, and a platform is already in the works, along with the new 16X. I believe the new 7 is coming. If it's nothing more than a hardtop MX-5 with a 16X and an RX-7 badge, it will be a winner. In fact, that would probably be the best way to go! A 2500 lb coupe with a 300 hp rotary for $35K?!! No brainer!!

j9fd3s

iTrader: (3)

that page is from 2007.

that is how the Rx8 came to be, its just a stretched Mx5. so the new alfa/miata thing is actually a hopeful sign, as Mazda basically has an available chassis...

XLNDRVR

iTrader: (3)

I think Mazda's best bet is to utilize the Miata platform to create the next back-to-basics 7. Carry over applicable components, upgrade for performance as needed, give the new 7 its original simple, driver-oriented feel and distinct personality, two seats, a rotary engine, and keep the cost down.

As referenced above, make it purposeful, light, high-quality, properly-powered, and affordable and people will buy it. A bloated, overpriced car which tries to span too many segments equals failure.

I like the couple of concepts that people have put out in the past. Or take a design leap and execute a squat Shinari-like approach - lean, masculine, and simple. And keep that Mazda "smile" grille as understated as possible.

NCross

iTrader: (18)

Companies like Dodge, Chevrolet, Ford have all done come backs on their classic cars recently. I could see Mazda doing something about 10 years from now. It will take them quite a bit of engineering. I don't think people will by it until the MPG rises over 30. Honestly. I think middle aged woman were the biggest demographic for the RX8. They need to shift it back over to younger males if they ever do an RX9.

You can talk about "drive your Honda if you want 30MPG" all you want, but I personally wouldnt buy a brand new car that gets 20 MPG.

j9fd3s

iTrader: (3)

a, who do you think bought the Rx7's in the first place, and

2. you sell cars to people with money...

RotaryEvolution

iTrader: (30)

i still have the window sticker for my FC in the glovebox, with a $24k pricetag back in 1987.


if mazda was smart they would give up on the rotary for cars, the RX8 was a total flop and they wound up making much less on them than they had hoped with the rash of engine failures that the renesis had.

i would guess that nearly half of the cars produced between 2004 and 2006 had at least one engine replaced under warranty. with the emissions standards now and how inefficient the rotary engine is with economy it simply isn't an engine for the future.

BUT, if they would produce a 4 rotor engine and sell those as standalone units, that would be a promising concept but it's still a fairy tale. as a manufacturer they have to make many millions a year off a product to even consider it and i just don't see that happening.

the rotary engine would do well in a supercar, something mazda never treaded into. (the furai was as close as they ever came and you see how much of a reality that came to be, mainly because it was too loud and not a streetable car.)

earthtone7se

Mazda believes the rotary IS their identity just like the flat six is for Porsche and they will never completely let it go. The 16X has been in development for several years because Mazda MUST put it into production and it MUST be right.

The RX-8 engine failures were most likely due to the fact that people just treated them like piston engines (didn't change the oil and just drove it until it blew up). Everyone here knows that rotaries eat a certain amount of oil. The fact that the RX-8 had more appeal to the masses was probably it's downfall. Those non-enthusiasts didn't properly maintain the renesis. To the average driver, adding a quart of oil every 30 days to a brand new car is ridiculous. To us, it's perfectly acceptable because we know the engine is different.

If Mazda just makes the next RX a back to basics sports car that is small and light with no back seats, only enthusiasts will buy it, and the cars will survive with proper care from knowledgeable owners.

earthtone7se

I was just thinking, if Mazda put a dry sump system on the next RX (Not all that expensive or complicated, my Previa van has it) it would prevent oil starvation, and the reservoir would only need to be topped off every 3,000 or so miles. The average Joe could even handle that or it could just be part of the service schedule at the dealership.