Mazda RX-8 replacement to evolve current design

As Mazda prepares its next-generation RX-8 reports are leaking through that the design will be more evolutionary than revolutionary.

With the model’s seventh birthday fast approaching the team at Mazda are hurrying to finalise the product in time to compete with such new comers as the Hyundai Genesis Coupe and newly announced Toyota FT-86.

Mazda’s head of design Ikuo Maeda told media at the Tokyo Motor Show that the next-generation car will be an evolutionary design of the current car and retain the same flavour when it comes to design cues and technology. The split-rear-door treatment is also likely to remain.

The 1.3-litre rotary engine will again feature in the revised model albeit with “significant improvements” thanks to Mazda’s new Sky engine technology. The next-generation rotary will feature more power while reducing fuel consumption and overall emissions.

We expect the next-generation Mazda RX-8 to be launched some time in early 2011.

Jamison

I think the previous RX-7 “looks” more modern than the current RX-8.

The classic “svelte” efficient shape was beautiful and had the right proportions.

Japan had the 4-seater so it was not as impractical as most thought.

Falcodore

I agree the RX-7 still looks as great today as it did when it was launched. It’s just got those classic sports car proportions. But i also think the RX-8 is a good looking machine.

It’s just a shame the car doesn’t have the performance to match it’s dynamic abilities. Also as Mazda’s flagship model it should outperform their garden variety hatch, albeit with serious tubo power. Lets hope they redress that with the new model.

Yanzo

the genisis looks stupid and i dont’ think anyone would buy it if it was sold over here. rx-8 is alright but man… the ft-86! it looks effing amazing. i’m pretty sure after 2011 all we’re gonna see is ft-86′s driving around. toyobaru ftw!!!

Robin Graves

I think your wrong, Genesis looks tough and has the turbo or V6 powertrain to match. The FT-86 has a naturally aspirated VW Beetle engine – give it a turbo for the 4cyl and maybe a flat 6 and it would be a different matter.

Jamison

Yanzo,
IF Toyota Australia can manage to not be “profit greedy” and charge Australians the same as US, Europe and Japan are projected to get… ($25,000 USD).
Then it would sell like hotcakes down here.

Which means, Hatches, both hot and the not-so-hot, will suffer in sales.
Many young people these days (20~35 year olds) are not in the brand new market for 70~80K cars. If Toyota Australia can sell it for under $35K, you will see it as common as your Commodor, Falcon, Camry. I bet with many customized ones within 1 year.

I still HOPE they offer a Turbo-charged one as they can capture a lot of the 50~70K priced demographic. The FT-86 is arguably the “prettiest” coupe this side of 100K… and heck it actually looks great next to the exotics still…

vid_ghost

i would rather buy a Mazda 3 MPS if they made it in Auto!!!

Baddass

No renderings or com-gens? C’mon, have some fun with it CA!
MGH

As someone who cares more about performance than ‘unique engine design’, I hope that mazda will either:
Turbocharge the rotary engine or
Dump the rotary engine and chuck in the 2.3L turbo

Gilly

Look up Mazda 16X for the true rotary fan!
Robin Graves

Turbo the chook-cooker I reckon! They love turbo’ing – but probably dont meet emissions or economy targets. If its got a piston engine then they should change the ‘RX’ to ‘MX’ or something else, RX is rotary only and should stay that way.

MGH

Mmm Mazda MX8. I like the sound of that. It would be a good competitor to toyota’s possible FT-86 offering. So long as they don’t make it a convertible.

Neo Utopia

I think the current RX generation looks good, with a more edgy modern look than the RX7′s more 90s smooth contoured shape which still looks modern today if small things were changed like fitting HID headlights and an iPod touch-like entertainment interface screen. But as for safety and comfort, I think I’d opt for the RX8 for long road trips.
9500rpm

Besides being a real hoot to drive fast, the current RX8 is a easy car for everyday use – no problem puttering around in it like a corolla. It sounds like the trade-off for the next generatin will be harder edged sports car but a bit less easy to live with day to day. It will be interesting to see where the price is pitched – around $55k as per RX8, or around $80k as per RX7 (today’s dollars).