Mazda has officially endorsed plans to build a rotary-powered RX-7 replacement. Boy racers and rotory fans will be able to snap one up by 2006

It's nigh on a decade since the RX-7 last rolled down the production line in Hiroshima, but news is filtering through that will have rotorheads humming.

The new RX-7 concept... its a rotary too!

With RX-8 officially on sale in its major markets, Mazda is now turning to its next sports-car project. The company has officially endorsed plans to build a rotary-powered RX-7 replacement.

In the footsteps of the 1978 original, it will be a sleek, lightweight two-seater. Some platform, suspension and driveline elements will be borrowed from the RX-8 parts bin. Although expected to launch in 2006, a concept will probably be unveiled by Lewis Booth at the Tokyo Motor Show next month.

An amped version of the Renesis RX-8 engine is likely to power RX-7. With wider and stiffer rotor housings, a higher redline, and displacement out to about 1.6 litres, Mazda reckons on output of around 225 kW in normally aspirated form. It appears there will be no turbocharged version. Fear not, though, as for the first time ever, Mazda is working on a supercharged rotary option for RX-7.

The production car, code-named J77, is likely to be shorter and wider than the RX-8. There may even be a cabriolet variant with a fabric or folding hard-top hood.

Forthcoming Japanese performance cars entering the final stages of development include the Toyota Supra, Honda NSX, Nissan GT-R (twin-turbo 3.5 V6, 4wd) and, possibly, Subaru's 300 kW B11S.

New Zealand Autocar Magazine

Holy shit Dave Coleman was right!

the rx-8 don't subtitute yhe rx-7?

RX-7 is a two seat not holds barred sports car.

The RX-8 is a hybrid family car/sports car.

Listen to the man !
HE KNOWS !

damn...from the small picture, it looks S3X!!!!!!

small pic reminds me of late 90s eclipse. no worries, tho, i trust Mazda to make yet another beautiful car, and hurrah to the upcoming Japanese sports car renaissance. i'll take the B11S. hopefully the supra will be closer to its roots and not the bloated 90s one.

So, we should probably be expecting something that is effectively a 2-door 2-seat RX-8? Sounds fine by me.

No, it doesn't look like a Chevy concept SUV .

The pic is an old photoshop, it was in magazines like 2 years ago

The Supra's roots lie in a two door economy car with plastic chrome looking trim and a new name instead of just Celica .

Yeah but its the first line that grabs my attention. "Official endorsement" is a very heavy phrase and could set up the magazine for being sued bigtime if its not true.

of course he was!

but is is stratofied charge?

he was f'in close though!


oh i can't wait... yeeeeeeeeah...

*starts saving up now*

The picture makes it look shitty. I don't like it at all, but I'm sure this isn't Mazda's pic. They design much better cars than that thing.

I tend to call BS on this "news"

it's just old speculation in a revamped form

Well if Mazda does build the RX-7 i'm sure it's gonna look hot! With the new Mazdaspeed 6 and possibly the RX-7; Mazda will be on fire.

Mazda = Gods

I second that opinion, although alot of other Japanese car companies are doing well and making cool cars i think Mazda's the only one with the guts to create different looking cars and still keep it looking great for a good price.

Is it true? Is there going to be a new Japanese supercar battle?! I sure hope so

Go Mazzzdahhh RX-7 vs. Nissan GT-R vs. NSX vs. Supra= One fuck of a battle.

Best Motoring had such a battle : RX-7 vs. Skyline GT-R vs. Supra vs. S15 Silvia .

I believe some of the supra's roots were in the Cressida also, which was a 4 door sedan.

-Jesse

I hope it'll end up looking like that - a Mazda RX8, but sleek and more sexy looking. Like something that would look amazing in black.

Rx-7 lives on ^_____^
its my dream to see it live.

I am well up for a full on sports car battle.

more than trim and a name