ScrappyDoo

iTrader: (7)

I picked up that latest Road & Track as it mentioned a new Rx7 on the cover. It was about a half a page blurb but they seem to be confident that the 7 will return for approximately 2010. I just hope they don't eff it up.


http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/30/r...ment-underway/

p4nc7

iTrader: (1)

They probably will, it looks horrid IMO.

Terrh

iTrader: (7)

I'd pre-order mine they day they'd let me.

R.P.M.

iTrader: (3)

Mazda should do everyone a favor and bring back the 20B....

Felgar

Isn't there some 300 hp limit in Japan? Or is that no longer a factor?

Feds

274, and I _think_ it was done away with, or only voluntary or something.

jojodotcom

iTrader: (6)

it was something around 280 right? and the rule is long gone. Even back then lots of japanese cars were making more then that, but on paper they say 280hp

Aaron Cake

iTrader: (1)

That's disgusting. Looks like a cross between the RX-8, 350Z and Audi TT.

Mazda needs to get back to their roots and produce a stylized 1st gen RX-7 with slightly more modern lines and a 3 rotor side port engine. Make two models; luxury for all the wusses and a stripped down base model for the cool people. Then offer a limited production Mazdaspeed turbo model.

orion84gsl

iTrader: (5)

The limit was set as a gentlemens agreement type thing between the companies, probably to keep sales on a level field. But the MkIV Supra said 280HP, but actual output is 320HP. Hopefully if they do produce a new 7, they will be smart enough to pull inspiration from the FD. It would be stupid to produce another 7 that visually is nothing like the previous models. Each successive generation has always looked like an evolution of the previous generation, and they should keep it that way.

coldfire

iTrader: (1)

that image in that link was just a picture of a "concept" that wasn't actually stated as being the concept for the next RX-7. i really don't think they would put into production a design like that.
i would imagine if they make another RX-7, it would follow closely to the new RX-8/Miata design features, but have a basis in the previous RX-7.

HEVNSNT

iTrader: (3)

I agree. And the RX7 is an icon much like the miata is. I'd imagine there will be some "RX7" carried over to the new design just like how the miata still resembles a miata.

ScrappyDoo

iTrader: (7)

The picture in the link is actually different from the one in the Road & Track issue but trust me it doesn't get any better. I couldn't see any of the 1st, 2nd or 3rd gen styling cues in it. It was more of a cross between the concept vehicle and an rx8. I will be first on the list to pick one up provided they stay true to Rx7 styling cues. All you can do is hope.

Northern 7

iTrader: (3)

Disgusting is too kind - that thing is void of any character. I wouldn't count on Mazda building another rotory vehicle - they'll likely stick to their new turbo'ed 2.3 litre DISI power plant as their performance motor. Unless they intend to build an RX-7 without a rotory.........

Rocky071

Man... new RX-7 should be:

-2 seater, not 2x2
-If boosted, by turbo not supercharge
-Gorgeous! RX7s have always been sexier than the cars around them during every generation, not a car that tries to fit in with the rest (tell me a 93-95 that looks hotter than the FD... good luck)

But we all know Mazda didn't do so well sales-wise with the FD and it's likely they'll stick it closer to the RX8 and other 'modern' designs than doing anything that makes the namesake proud...

aka_rocket

you know what, that sounds like it would solve the "low" power output of the renesis. 3 rotor renesis--NA! the other models would make sense too.

Aviator 902S

I like the idea of an updated Renesis-based normally-aspirated 3-rotor for the next RX7 (so much for the weak low-end torque issue), especially if they can make it lighter than the current 20B without sacrificing durability.

But this car will need to be light-wieght (ie: under 2500 lbs), affordable (under 30K in Canada for the fully-equipped version) and it should not in any way, shape or form deviate from the original configuration: a very low-slung, two-seat, light-weight, balanced superb-handling all-out sports car.

That's right: Lose the ugly designed-by-committee high door sill Nissan-Z look. Lose the smiley-face grille found on the 3, 6 and RX8. Stay completely away from any look from any angle that resembles the RX8. Don't even think about offering an automatic transmission. Stick with rear-wheel drive no matter what.

The best bet would be an updated retro-1st gen design with the wheels pushed out into the corners a little farther.

rx7racerca

iTrader: (1)

Given that the biggest knock on the RX-8 seems to be the mileage, even moreso than it's power, I have to wonder if a 2 litre, three rotor Renesis is likely. Maybe direct injection can save the rotary? It seems pretty plain to me that with $1.20/L regular gas being the norm even in Alberta, that burning twice the fuel to achieve lower peak output than a Honda S2K isn't exactly a winning formula. Hell, even the 4.6L, 3500lb Mustang GT, with a 5spd instead of a 6, gets significantly better mileage - and it makes useful torque below 5000rpm!

As far as the car depicted in R&T - its definitely fugly, but we can hope that since it's an artist's depiction of what the car might look like, that it might be dead wrong.

blazer1313

we all know concepts change but I dont know if there's hope for this one...i couldn't get past its looks to read the article. Is it going to be turbo?

vipernicus42

iTrader: (4)

Article said rumored to be electronically-assisted supercharger.

A supercharged renesis would be interesting to see for sure...

As cool as I think a 3-rotor renesis would be, I agree that it doesn't sound very likely. They could probably pull more efficiency out of the e-super renesis while still keeping the power up.

But honestly we'll just have to wait and see. This is the fourth completely different iteration of an Rx7 rumor I've seen in the last two years. It seems to me that there's a lot of pull from many places for it to come back, but until they acutally debut an Rx7 concept as opposed to just a generic concept car whose styling cues may be pushed towards future cars which may or may not include a rotary of some type, I'm not holding my breath.

That thing is fugly yes, but not only is it a concept, but it's not even an rx7 concept, just a general concept car debuted at Detroit to test out various styling and design concepts which may influence future vehicles. Considering how unanimous the dislike for the design is here, I'd assume that the general public at the north american car shows had a similar reaction, which will go back to Mazda HQ for a redesign.

Jon

Aviator 902S

[quote=vipernicus42;6966449]

As cool as I think a 3-rotor renesis would be, I agree that it doesn't sound very likely. They could probably pull more efficiency out of the e-super renesis while still keeping the power up.

I have to agree it's not likely to happen. Too bad, because a three-rotor --- even a completely redesigned and smaller-displacement three-rotor --- would solve the weak torque at low rpm problem once and for all, even on normally-aspirated engines. Sure, boost fixes this achilles heel too --- but at a cost in long-term engine durability.

Considering how unanimous the dislike for the design is here, I'd assume that the general public at the north american car shows had a similar reaction, which will go back to Mazda HQ for a redesign.

Jon

Let's hope Mazda hires the same designers as those who designed the FD--- but stops short of letting them design anything except styling this time around. I still think the car should have a bit of retro-1st gen in its genes.

blazer1313

if anything its going to be the same team as the Rx8. There's styling in the front of the Rx9 that resembles the 2001-2003 Rx7 (japan)...but then again..its 3 years from now. Look how many times Subaru has hired and fired design teams for their WRX's. BTW--the 2006 team for them is fired and the new wagon Sti looks like the Mazda 3..haha

Felgar

Late to the party but IMO Mazda's direction is to appeal to the driving enthusiast with MazdaSpeed cars rather than a whole new model. A 270HP hard-top convertible Miata with their 2.3L DISI Turbo engine would probably appeal to a lot of the same people that'd buy the RX, and most wouldn't buy both. The Miata borrowed a lot of it's design cues from the 1st Gen RX so maybe it'd be an ok compromise (still light, RWD, 2 seater). I realize it's not rotary but whether the rotary translates into significant market appeal is questionable IMO. And the hard-top miata convertible is back-ordered here in Calgary for 18 months; and I can't imagine a Speed version not having even more appeal.

I dunno, seems that a Miata Speed and a new 1st-gen-like RX would be splitting up one single consumer base...

TalkSick

i think that was a big drawback of the rx8, everyone wanted a new 7 not a new style. the 2 seater with the rediculous vision blocking B pillar, low slung long nosed lil hatchbacked rocket. pop up headlights too dammit. i saw a picture of an rx8 someone turned into a 7 with photoshop an it looked a hell of a lot better then the current rx8. the rx7 is a classic design that has retained its style over many years. It is absolutely unique and beautiful in so many ways that to change it or alter it in an efffort to attract some new buyers would be sacrilige.

84stock

iTrader: (5)

All they have to do is twin charge the renesis, use direct injection or what have you to improve economy. Next, take the miata format, add a 1st gen style hatchback to it, make some sharper lines (fb/fc) and make it a hard top (perhaps targa) and you've got a winner. Keep a bare bones, light weight n/a enthusiast hard top model available as well, cool autocross car.

84stock

iTrader: (5)

Like this, not a big effort, but you get the idea.