Most Japanese car manufacturers have all found a way to differentiate themselves, Toyota has the reputation for producing bullet-proof cars (although that reputation may currently be slightly bruised), Subaru and Mitsubishi make all-wheel-drive rally inspired sportscars and Nissan makes the grand-daddy of them all, the Nissan GT-R.
Mazda on the other hand has always stuck to its Rotary powered sports cars that have created a unique cult of car enthusiasts. The Mazda RX-8 has come a long way since its introduction in 2003 and its designer Mr Ikuo Maeda is hoping to revive the RX-7.
Maeda was in charge of the RX-8 design but more interestingly his father, who held a similar job at the company was in the charge of the original RX-7.
“I was a real car lover long before I started designing cars, there are lots of car enthusiasts at Mazda, but I think I’m at the top.” Maeda said in an interview with AutoNews.
The designer is known internally as “Speedy” for his performance on the race track in his Mazda MX-5 and Lotus Elise. The man was also behind the current generation Mazda2 but his big ambition is to bring back the RX-7.
“I do have a strong yearning to revive the RX-7 during my tenure but in order for that to happen, we need the U.S. economy to come back, first and foremost.” Maeda said.
Although potentially many years away, Mazda fans can rejoice knowing they have a man with enormous passion pushing the RX-7 project internally.
Source: Autonews
um…is he wearing a Hitler moustache?
I can confidently say, that many Aussies will also be up in arms when this thing comes. C’mon Mazda let this guy make it, we all want it!!
So when is the completely new rotary engine coming out Mazda?
The new rotary or 16X has already been developed, waiting for a donor car. Perhaps this is the calling.
PS: How fresh and good does the original 20y.o design still look!
For those who are not aware, the new 16X Renesis is the first direct injection rotary (developed from the hydrogen rotary) which is now a larger 1600cc in size, all alloy, more thermal efficient (the bane of the rotary engine) more fuel efficient, more power and torque which should compensate for the need of turbocharging the current 13B Renesis.
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All rotary Mazdas names start with RX, so with the MPS engine that would become a MX8!
On the flip, they should have fitted the RX8 renesis engine to a version of the MX5.
I would rather see them put the RX-8′s rotary in the MX-5.
The rotary engine is going to have to be pretty seriously upgraded if it wants to compete with the 370Z. At the moment (in the RX-8) it’s got a nice sound and individuality, although it also has next to no torque, very steep fuel consuption, and not much power either. Perhaps a rotary hybrid could be a solution?
they should put a turbo on it, then it’lll fly
Unfortunately that’s the reason why Mazda didn’t put a turbo on RX-8. It won’t comply with Euro V (or IV for that matter).
But people have been installing aftermarket turbo and getting 50% more power and 100% more torque even at low boost – all for about $5,000. To me that’s money well spent.
bring back the pop up lights!
Pop-up headlights are now illegal for pedestrian safety reasons. I think the last vehicle to be produced with pop-up lights was the C5 Corvette.
RX-7 still looks fantastic to this day, love it. So does the RX-8, IMO a timeless design that will still turn heads in 20 years.
Why are my last 2 comments awaiting moderation?
RX-7 is my dream car. Timeless design, I’m sure most people agree. I just hope Mazda won’t ruin that reputation with a new design that will go out of fashion in 2-3 years time (*cough* subaru *cough*)