I'm not overly keen on how modern Mazda's look. I think it will be a flop, that is IF it even reaches production.

Reading the plans for the car, imo it should be called an RX-9.

^This, but whatever they build, needs to be affordable in comparison to the next level. For example, if they make an elise eater, it sales price must be less than the invoice price on a Lotus Elise. Another example, if what ever they build fits something in between the elise and Z06, it has to be much cheaper than the z06 in order to be attractive to new buyers.

Take for example the RX-8. The RX-8, contrary to what most people believe, is an awesome platform. The problem is that it was priced among the STI and EVO. All three had great handling characteristics, about the same final price, however the RX-8 was about 100HP down in HP, and had the worse mpg out of the three.

If the RX-8 price point was $5k - $10K lower, I cant help but wonder if it would've done better.

Mazda will never create anything like the GTR. They are too much of motoring purists. Computers to control the driving experience is sacrilegious to everything that is Mazda, and I like that about them.

With the new technology being developed, in 5 years time who knows what kind of N/A systems Mazda will have for the new RX7. Their new motors could very well hold 300-330hp N/A. Hopefully they'll come up with a bullet proof seals by then too lol.

I hope they do develop a new car, there are very few car manufacturers that produce as pure a sports car as mazda does.

Maybe from a performance numbers standpoint, but it's a very different car in character, appearance, and execution.

Mazda needs to do what Mazda does well, and does fairly uniquely. Light weight. Low center of gravity and tight packaging. Superior handling and driver involvement. Rotary power delivery (with enough, but not outrageous horsepower). In a package that's slightly more real-world livable and economical than a Lotus, les bloated golf-bag carrier than a Corvette. Trade on their heavy involvement in grassroots sportscar and road racing, the LeMans win, and forget about drag racing and car forum "road kill" horsepower wars and bragging rights.

This. Not only that though. The RX-8 left a bad taste about rotaries in its wake.

If the RX8 had had two doors, two seats, and been 300lbs lighter, it wouldn't have been competing with semi-practical "hot box" sedans, and the hp deficit and gas mileage would have mattered a lot less.

Make that 600lbs lighter and I would agree., or 300lbs and a honest 250 rwhp!

I like this idea, but I'm not really going to expect much until it is an actual FACT that it will be made. Too many of these stories have been floating around over the years; point being, nothing was ever done.

I've seen some renderings and design drawings for a "new rx7". I'm not sure how up to date they are, but the "newest" ones I have seen are very decent. The rear end of the car, fenders and tail, remind me of the 458 Italia.

I hope it does happen; I look forward to seeing the actual product, good or bad.

Sounds pretty good, lighter than an FD with decent power. And priced higher than a 370z I would expect good build quality and a nice interior. Thank god they are not turning it to some econo shitbox to compete with these new corolla successors. Not that there is really anything wrong with a cheap car like a scion but i would be sad if anything like that was to wear an rx-7 badge.

What I am mostly curious about is how a successor RX-7 will impact the value of FD's. A key trait of FD's, at least for me, is its exclusivity and prestige. Mazda was able to hit the right formula with the third gen, it was one of those things that just clicked. Which is why I have almost zero interest in FBs or FCs. And if I wanted a new, sports car, I would frankly NOT want a Japanese sports car. I would rather end up in an E92 M3 or Z06 and call it a day.

What if this new RX-7 does not live up to expectations, will it tarnish the name and subsequently devalue RX-7's across the board? Should this be the case, maybe it will be similar to the Porsche 993 vs 996.

Or what if this new RX-7 is so amazing that it shifts the focus away. What place would FD's have then? Right now, the third gen platform is still relevant and competitive, which allows it to maintain demand even in this day and age.

Always wondered why it pepole use them as drag cars as well.

I if it was a N/a 4 rotor(3.2x direct injected), Aluminum side plates. It would be in Z06 territory. Please mazda.. give it power.

That's like saying a vette is not a vette if it doesn't have pop ups... Or a miata.

Given the advances in lighting and the whole pedestrian safety issue I would be greatly surprised the new 7 came with pop ups. So IMO be prepared to be disapointed if it ever comes into fruition.

I think I know which one you are referring to and I actually think it's pretty sweet.

I agree with you about the prestige. Like you I like having the last version, sort of like the end of the line mentality.

If the new 7 sucks I doubt that it would have an impact on the FD3s. As every car generation is viewed individually. IMO the only way mazda can f this car up is by power to weight ratio and looks. If anything they have the handling part solidified.

This is probably the likely scenario where the new 7 is amazing. But honestly it doesnt take anything away from the FD. The FD is what it is: A great looking car with an an awesome sportscar feel

Do share!

5 years is a long time, lets hope they go through with it.

if they would run ceramic seals and switch back to peripheral exhaust, it would be a bulletproof n/a engine. assuming there isn't more adverse effects from wear and the aluminum end housings. they could also lighten the flywheel with the additional torque the engine makes and raise the redline to 10k.

mazda has had a proven track record of failure whenever they change anything on these engines. sometimes i wish they would spend the few extra bucks inside the engine where it counts. i'm sure they have other reasons to not run ceramics but those reasons i do not know aside from additional cost.

i doubt they will run ceramic seals, not cost effective.

lets hope they get it right!!! stay with some originality , all and all im excited to see this come together hopefully have enough pennies saved by then lol

Make that with an NA 3-rotor and they've got a winner

RX-8s generally stickered from $26,000 (base) to $33,000 (later R3), which puts it a chunk below STIs and EVOs, even before taking into consideration that Mazda discounted it much more heavily. Ex: brand new models for $7K to $9K off MSRP was quite common with RX-8s, whereas STI sticker of $38K was touted as "huge discounts" of $7000-ish for only one model year.

I agree with you on the 8's platform, and would add that it's far superior to the two econobox'd chassis you mentioned.

N/A 3 rotor reminds me of Gmonsen. I'd take that. Perfect scenario would be a car at least 100-200lbs. lighter than a FD with a N/A 3-Rotor putting out 300-330 HP (9,000RPM Computer Limited) that has hidden horsepower. What I mean by that is that Mazda would purposely put a lot of restrictions on the factory vehicle to "bottleneck" the power to clear emissions and give us tuners something to look forward to when upgrading with simple bolt-ons. Oh yeah, and handling, style and all that. :0)

It should be a 3-rotor with electric PS and capacitors for low end torque. I'm not sure how they will improve the MPG or pass the newest emissions in 2015 (I think it is).

A supercharger Mazdaspeed version would fix the low end torque but hurt mpg but that's why it should be A MS edition. They can go dual/twin turbo if they do it "my" way (same as V-twin V8's). One turbo per rotor, dual intake to FMIC (like Rotary Extreme makes for OEM setup) and dual exhaust.

They have to figure out what class to put it in. Toyota has their Lexus badged Supra but I don't see the RX9 competing with Corvette either. It would be nice if they did do a flagship supercar model (4 rotor?) like the Lexus Supra and the Audi R8 which actually looses money in it's sales but does such a great promotion for the company, it pays off ten fold in the long run. The RX8 was made fun of for having 4 doors but no one makes fun of Porsche or Fisker. I think it would be in competition with the 370Z and Porsche Caymen, so expect $50-$60k (without inflation).

But who knows will will happen so far from now. I already new that they had to finish and sell Skyactive before they could go back to working on a rotary engine. Gas may be $15/gal and interest rates could be back to 15%. It could be the 2nd great depression that kills the RX-7 yet again.

Lotus does not sell the old Elise/Exige any more, an entry Evora starts in 60's entry Evora S at 80 up to 100k. The Exige Cup V6 is at 100k

I have an 86 na with a small block Chevy pushing 375. That's isn't a lot of horsepower but in a 2600 pound car it does wonders. I think the brz only makes like 200 horse. As long as the new 7 is original it will be in a class of its own.

5 years from now, cool that gives me plenty of time to unload my FDs just about the time they become classics

This new RX-7 needs a 3 rotor 350hp naturally aspirated 16X for the win 8^)

Mazda, do it right or go home... Zoom Zoom...

It's very rare that I like the newer version of a car that I love. So I'm not getting my hopes up.