In this month's Road And Track you can find this article, page 63:

"Mazda Mulls RX-7 Rebirth, Miata makeover.

Although the last (Japan only) RX-7 is scheduled to come off the assembly line this month, plans are underway at Mazda to create a erplacement, so says a source close to the company. The future 2-seater which may go by a new name, will be built on the RX-8's platform and make 280bhp from the Renesis rotary engine without the help of forced induction.

With this new entry, Mazda will have a three-tier sports car line up. Something that the company has long wanted. But the fate of this 2-seater rests largely on the success of the RX-8 the company's four door sports car due out in February. If the RX-8 falls flat on its face, don't expect a new RX-7 or any other sports car, with the exception of the Miata, any time soon.

And for those who have been waiting for Mazda to build a rotary powered Miata, you'll have to wait a little longer. ALthough Mazda will build an MPS (Mazda Performance Series) version of the current Miata for the Japan market only, that car will be powered by a 180-200 bhp 1.8 liter inline-4.

But the next generation of Miata, due in '04 or '05, will have a rotary option. Look for power to be about 200-250bhp, giving the roadster zero to 60 mph times in the 5 second range. the car will be built on a shortened version of the RX-8's platform, and may come in both coupe and convertable forms."

There is a picture at the bottom, a sketch of the 2005 RX-7. Looks very much like an RX-8--with the license plate "2SMAL4U". 2Cute4Me. It's not an impressive sketch and I can't scan right now, anyway.

 

The sketch is just an artists impression of a two door RX-8.

Funny just like my friend in Irvine says about the RX-8, RX-7, Miata.

 

Sounds like some good news ... I hope the rx-8 makes it big ...

 

280hp.... obviously would be HUGELY impressive for a 1.3 liter N/A engine, but... I was kinda hoping for something a little more.

c'mon... the 3G in Japan makes these numbers.

However... a plus would be the size w/o all the turbo and all that extra crap. They could make the engine bay frikkin' small.

 

ok... everyone go and by a rx-8.

if every single forum member bought one, that would surely secure enough sales for the rx-7

 

Why dont you just buy one for all of us? Same effect, and way cheaper for your fellow forum members.

 

yea cheers, can i expect my rx-8 from you in my driveway in febuary?

 

Star Mazda series will be switching from the venerable 13b over to the Renesis as spec. for I believe, the 2004 season. I figure they'll tune it for a little more torque and sacrifice some top end (it's already putting out loads of power). This is a great series, and it's great to see Mazda making efforts to market the engine.

 

Wait did you say the last rx7 in japan will be made next month?!@?!
WTF!@ HAVE I BEEN LIVING UNDER A ROCK? OR BEEN SMOKIN TOO MUCH WEED?
That is like horrible news you cant be serious right? When did they anounce in Japan that the rx7 are discontinued? Please say it isint so
I love the rx8 im seriuosly considering getting one when they come out my dream is to have all the generations some day

 

dude... the last 3rd generation and this news is OLD. I was in Japan and actually went to a Mazda dealership and showroom and they had a SWEET brand new '02 RX7 I got to look and get in... posters next to it said that it ends prodution in AUGUST.

 

In Japan I believe all manufacturers have a voluntary hp limit of 280hp. The NSX, RX7, Skyline R32, Lancer EVO all have 280hp stock but are capable of much more with tuning. If the manufacturers exceed this set limit for hp, I think they get in a bit of trouble from the government. Rest assured that the RX8 and future RX7's will be capable of much more if mazda over engineers it.

Someone correct me if wrong.

 

i believe you have the right idea but I don't think its set by the government. As I've heard its a 'gentlemen's agreement' or something between companies? Thats what I've heard around the forum.

I've also heard though that they stopped this or have plans to soon.