any speculation out there on mazda introducing another RX7? I like the looks of the RX8 but the back seat and the suicide doors are blasphemy to the traditionalist.

 

They say 2010. Back to it's roots. Some folks do not like the direction Mazda is going with their styline ( exaggerated rounded over front fenders, etc.). I actually love the new RX-7 concept.

I will probably be in the market for a new car when it comes out!!!

http://consumerguideauto.howstuffwor...-mazda-rx7.htm

 

Think this will be the engine for it......

http://www.mazda.com/mazdaspirit/rotary/16x/

 

well technically, its not against the the "tradition". If you actually look at what Mazda has produced with a rotary engine, most came in four doors or wagons as options, back seats, etc. Case in point Rx-2, Rx-3, Rx-4, all the cosmos. The Rx-8 fails right in line.

 

That link leads to some great animations and footage of the rotary production process - - great stuff!

 

Please god no.

 

As a Gen 1 driver, I like the 2 doors look and feel, although I recently visited with an RX8 driver who loves the suicide doors. I also like the straightforward aerodynamics of the gen 1.

great news on the new RX7. I will have to look at the rounded nature of the car. horsepower sounds awesome.

 

both my first gens have back seats

 

One of the "what killed the RX-7" topics that seems to creep into conversation is the recession Japan was in in the late 90's. Now the American market for sports cars may have dried up shifting the trend to the "Canyonero", leaving sportier cars for other countries. My Belief, and I hope I am wrong, is that I seem to believe there are consumer cycles. Lets look at trends in auto design.

1950's cars were decent sized with large engines. Overhead valves , fuel injection and other common technologies were born here. Emphasis on performance.

1960's Bigger is better. luxury is king.

1970's to much decadence! Gas is expensive and were killing the environment. Fuel economy rules!

1980's Slow cars are boring! Bring on the touring sedans! bring on the performance!

1990's explorer, um yeah... and firestone. bigger is better!

2000' Long live the Prius!!!

2010 ? The trend still seems to be on the frugal side of things. The SUV movement lasted longer than it should have. Over 15 years. We are just now starting the economy ride. A the economy being what it is it may be difficult for car companies to justify a novelty such as a sports car. I dont expect to be wow'ed until another 5-10 years.

 

Mazda put the rotary into just about everything imaginable back in the '70s. Econoboxes, luxury cruisers, family sedans, pickup trucks, 26-passenger buses... by no means is it unique to sports cars.

Me, I like the rumors I've been hearing about the new RX-7, but at this point, that's all they are.

 

It wasn't entirely consumer trends. I'm sure America, Europe, and everyone else would've kept 10 mpg hogs if gas had stayed at 30 cents a gallon. The oil embargo changed everything from the 70s on. Japanese and cont. European automakers engineered their way out of it. British (save for the Mini) and American companies have been on damage control ever since, only catching breaks when the price of oil drops.

 

Mazda put them in everything because the RE was supposed to be their trademark, they emphasized its smoothness and vibrationless operation, plus they wanted to get back a lot of the R&D costs. Then the bad fuel economy killed all the other lines except for sports cars.

When the SA22 came out, one of the engineers said the company analyzed the RE and determined the best use of it is in a sports car because of it's compact, lightweight, and enthusiasts wouldn't mind the fuel consumption so much. I agree, that's why I think the RX-8 is a little bit of a step back. So I don't think we'll see a rotary family car again unless fuel economy is seriously improved.

 

I don't like the look of the concept RX7. It's to trendy for a long life. I think the RX7 would be the perfect candidate for the retro trend. Just do a major overhaul of the FB style.

 

keep the rotary rocket look