j9fd3s

iTrader: (3)

thats basically what we used to say at the dealership...

however i have heard the same collection of rumors from several different sources, which is nice and then there is a new SAE paper.

why would they have a new SAE paper on something they were not working on?

ptrhahn

iTrader: (9)

It isn't likely there'll be a new RX-7, and if there is, it likely won't be able pull the wings off a gnat.

fmzambon

Nothing "concrete" for now, just persistent rumors and indirect confirmations, as j9fd3s said.
Just a tip that I learned over time: whenever you read an article or a forum on the Internet, ALWAYS check the date of what you are reading. This often turns out to be useful to rule out very old stuff that comes up in a search.

Anyway, here's what I collected so far:

Possibly the most official of the whole bunch
16x slightly more efficient than piston 2 liter engine
A (high efficiency) gasoline rotary is on its way. Please wait for it ..Mazda BOSS
Mazda 2015 CX-3 - CX-5 success sets scene for ‘CX-3’ | GoAuto
roadmap
Mazda 16X rotary engine two years away, will arrive in all-new model - Autoblog
Same efficiency as a piston engine
Mazda Skyactiv models helping to finance future rotary | CarAdvice
Mazda RX-7 to return in 2016 | Autocar

EDIT: Whoops, the videos were not supposed to be embedded. That breaks the list

Andrea.

00SPEC

iTrader: (9)

From the above most official link

"[the new 7 will have] a greater emphasis on driver involvement."

howww?! I dont understand how more involved I can be with all the gauge checking and throttle feathering and strange noise recognizing...

thegemini

You forgot weird smell detection !

BLUE TII

iTrader: (9)

I am hopeful that "more driver involvement" fixes the following gripes I have with the stock FD RX-7.

1) No more numb over-boosted power steering (Mazda's new electric assist is great).

2) A power to weight ratio that forces you to be judicious in your throttle usage (2,200lbs and 250hp *could* be an improvement if they find some of the torque the renesis was missing).

3) No toe control to make the car "safe" (RX-8 used driver defeat-able dynamic stability instead so I am hopeful here too).

If "more driver involvement" means the driver feels he has to do everything up to getting out and pushing to make the car go faster like the Miata or RX-8 I will be disappointed.

j9fd3s

iTrader: (3)

have to wonder if ford ruined the Rx8... the Rx-01 looks a bit weird*, but 2400lbs! vs 3000 for the Rx8 would have made a HUGE difference...

*its a bit like a 308 Ferrari too

BLUE TII

iTrader: (9)

A 2 door 2400lb RX-8 variant would have been much sportier.

If the new RX must be bigger/heavier than the new MX-5 to fit us bigger/heavier/more affluent Americans as that article indicated, Mazda has only one choice.

Mazda should offer a (RX-8) RX-9 that is the bigger/heavier/upscale model... base it on the SUV chassis.

and a (RX-3) RX-5 again that is the light MX-5 chassis with rotary.

Hey, they said they need to sell more rotaries to make its return feasible, what better way than to use existing chassis and put rotaries in them to match different sales niches.

ptrhahn

iTrader: (9)

New S2000 coming with turbo and 350 hp:

https://autos.yahoo.com/news/honda-b...150031852.html

Again, 250hp is a joke for an RX7, and why do I think "greater driver involvement" equals "fun handling with no power".

MAZDA: I want to be "involved" in sawing away at the wheel on corner exit trying to control the crazy *** turbo power.

j9fd3s

iTrader: (3)

lmao, that is NEVER going to happen, they already think you can't handle that kind of power.

have you driven a Mazdaspeed miata? even THAT is neutered under 4500rpm.

ptrhahn

iTrader: (9)

They need to rename it "MazdaTrim"... that's all it ever is.

thegemini

Interesting rendering I stumbled across.

If The Next Mazda RX-7 Looks Anything Like This, Then Sign Us Up

MissionRx7

There's also new competition as Honda has just announced the return of the S2000 hybrid Awd with 350hp. Mazda May need to step it up a bit. We know the quality control will be great with the Honda.

j9fd3s

iTrader: (3)

well in 2014 what car is like that? they all have traction and stability control...

Drifted88

iTrader: (3)

Lol. That dinky spoiler xD

j9fd3s

iTrader: (3)

my friend is in process of lemon lawing his new civic...

ptrhahn

iTrader: (9)

Yup... I was referring to the fact that there are a lot of MazdaSPEED models that aren't any faster than the regular model. They just have dress up trim on them like body kits and interior appointments.

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

I still hope Mazda comes out with a more performance oriented car that isn't a Miata. I don't care if it's a rotary or not (RX line or MX line), just something more sexy than the Miata with some eye catching stats behind it. I still don't think shooting for Corvette level performance is a good idea for Mazda. I still believe going lighter weight with less gimmicks could create a car which could perform on par with some of the higher costing performance cars, without the price tag of them.

BLUE TII

iTrader: (9)

Yup... I was referring to the fact that there are a lot of MazdaSPEED models that aren't any faster than the regular model.

Not in the US, we have been over this before.

2003 Mazdaspeed Protege added a turbo. 140hp to 170hp

2004 Mazdaspeed Miata added a turbo. 142hp to 178hp

2006 Mazdaspeed 6 added a turbo direct injection motor and AWD. 166hp to 274hp

2007 Mazdaspeed 3 added a turbo direct injection motor. 160hp to 263hp

20010 Mazdaspeed 3 added a turbo direct injection motor. 169hp to 267hp

This is in addition to the changes in suspension/wheels/tires.

What are the Mazdaspeed models you are talking about that didn't significantly add to performance?

fmzambon

With every new announcement of a 350+hp Japanese sports car, the odds that we'll see a new Rx-7, and possibly a 3-rotor and/or turbo Rx-7, grow more and more.

If all of the old Rx-7 competitors come back and step up the game, moving in the 350+hp range, a new Rx-7 would be forced to do the same to be taken seriously. Still, Mazda would need to sell a certain volume of the car to recoup the development costs, so a 2 tier lineup makes sense here.

The key point is that the Rx-7 is a rotary powered car, meaning that its powerplant must be developed specifically for that car. The investment needed to prepare the engine cannot be shared with other models (unless the Rx-8 or another rotary car is brought online as well), that's why they can't afford to sell ONLY a 350+ hp 7, as Honda may do with the S2000. Mazda needs a volume-generating lower power variant.

Andrea.

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

Whatever you are smoking, let me know so I can start selling some!

t-von

iTrader: (8)

She's right, 3 rotor is a very possible option in the next gen (especially in NA form). Yes a larger displacement rotary will pollute more and cost more but, so does a v8 vs 4 cyl. Those piston counterparts share the same faults as above and are being put in vehicles on a daily basis. In our world we keep thinking a 3 rotor will be God awful expensive because of the the cost we deal with doing our swaps. The added cost won't be a problem in a production vehicle. Look at the Cosmo. I think the price difference was about 7k between the 13b and 20b before options. Emissions wise, once you get a single rotor chambers emissions under control, the number of chambers after the fact doesn't matter. That's why we have 4,6,8,10, and 12 cylinder piston engines in cars right now.

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

It will not happen. Mazda will never solve the crappy emissions and fuel economy with the engine. At the price level they would need to market the car to be remotely successful, fuel economy will be a huge factor. Fuel economy is not a concern for the over-priced exotics, but Mazda would never sell anything at that level. Hell, they had a tough time with the Millenia as no one could associate Mazda with selling a 'luxury car'.

There best bet is a piston-based performance car that extends the Mazdaspeed line. Something that would compete with the 370z price wise, but more performance oriented (so above the BRZ/FRS).

t-von

iTrader: (8)

I think this is recent R&D? If it is, never say never.

Edit: Even the drawing is showing the older PP exhaust. If this is the case, I will be extremely happy.

http://apicdn.viglink.com/api/click?...ww.rx7club.com

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

They did the DI testing over 10 years ago. I'm not going to search for it, but you can find pictures of the engine from around 2004-2005 timeframe, part of their Hydrogen project.