Thursday 9th July 2009

Resurrected Mazda RX-7 Could Be Shown At Tokyo

Sports cars are back in vogue as Japanese makers prop up Tokyo show

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New RX could get 1.6-litre rotary

With most major non-Japanese car makers having pulled out of this autumn’s Tokyo motor show, the future has been looking rickety for one of the world’s wackiest motor shows for some months.

But with none of the US big three, Mercedes, BMW, or even VW due to make an appearance, the Japanese domestic manufacturers are apparently stepping up to the plate to keep their home motor show alive.

First up came the news that Toyota’s on/off replacement for the Supra could be on show in near-production form.

Now there are rumblings from the Japanese Best Car magazine that the Toyota/Subaru rear-drive coupe will make its debut in some form at the show.

The last RX-7, which died in the UK in 1995

Better still for fans of esoterically engined Japanese performance cars, there is talk that a successor to the Mazda RX-7 will appear as a concept car. A revival of the two-door RX-7 has been a more or less constant rumour since the four-door RX-8 appeared back in 2003, reviving Mazda’s rotary engine programme.

The new RX – possibly labelled RX-9 – is likely to be cleaner and greener than the RX-8 and yet will thankfully have more power too, courtesy of an increase in swept capacity from 1.3 litres to a heady 1.6 litres.

Don’t get overly excited, though. Best Car magazine reckons there is only a ‘55 per cent chance’ that the new RX will appear at Tokyo. Quite how they arrived at such a precise figure, we’re not sure…

[porrohman]

Its lightning McQueen.

[Dodgey_Rog]

I miss my old RX, great car, great engine. Just a shame they were too juicy and drank oil, way ahead of its time. Its a pity other manufacturers didn't pick up on the Rotary, excellent power delivery and so smooth!

Never really took to the RX-8, a pretender to the thrown in my opinion.

[GravelBen]

I love the shape of the FD RX7, hopefully they stick closer to that than the RX8. Perhaps they could also give a V6 option for those who don't like rotaries

[CarMad426]

The car is smiling lol, the last of the line RX7's were such good looking cars they should make a new one like that.

[Wilburo]

It had pop-up headlights, so it can't be exactly the same. Still, Mazda has made that jump before.

[Jag-D]

Gen 3s were one of the most beautiful cars ever to come out of Japan

[EDLT]

I thought th RX8 was a 2.6, not a 1.3.

Could cleaner and greener and more powerful mean they are going to use a low-pressure turbo similar to that fitted on most warm hatchbacks?

[Matt p]

I'm going to follow this with real interest!

I'm the proud owner of a FD and love the way it drives and handles. If this ever goes into production, I do hope it is somewhere near as good

Long live rotary power!!

Matt

[Zippee]

Anyone else think the old RX7 is still one of the most stunning looking cars produced? Looks fresh even now - 14 years after its demise!

[GravelBen]

EDLT said:

I thought th RX8 was a 2.6, not a 1.3.

1.3 Rotary is generally considered equivalent to a 2.6 piston engine due to the different engine cycles - think of it as a 2-stroke

[russellwatson17]

EDLT said:

I thought th RX8 was a 2.6, not a 1.3.

Could cleaner and greener and more powerful mean they are going to use a low-pressure turbo similar to that fitted on most warm hatchbacks?

The piston works like a turbine and it fires twice per rotation. Thats why it is sometimes called a 2.6.

Or something like that anyway....

[IainT]

Zippee said:

Anyone else think the old RX7 is still one of the most stunning looking cars produced? Looks fresh even now - 14 years after its demise!

It was launched in Japan in '92 so it's a 17 year old design now. You're right - it is still stunning in original form and lends itself well to subtle and not so subtle modifications.

It'd ba a shame if this 1.6 Rotary came without a turbo though.

[Daz4m]

There is no turbo on the new 1.6 rotary.

Power is expected to be 270 bhp or so I think. I'm hoping that the weight is taken out too.

[GravelBen]

IainT said:

Zippee said:

Anyone else think the old RX7 is still one of the most stunning looking cars produced? Looks fresh even now - 14 years after its demise!

It was launched in Japan in '92 so it's a 17 year old design now. You're right - it is still stunning in original form and lends itself well to subtle and not so subtle modifications.

JDM production continued until 2001 as well, it didn't really die 14 years ago!

[Tahiti]

porrohman said:

Its lightning McQueen.

Precisely

[900T-R]

Don't let it get near 996 Porkers, then.

[Altrezia]

Tell you what.. I can't believe that people slate Bangle and then ignore the Mazda designers.

[havoc]

Daz4m said:

There is no turbo on the new 1.6 rotary.

I bet it won't be long though...


Seriously - loved the old RX7 - IMHO it still looks good, and is still one of the best designs ever to come out of Japan. Just didn't like the chocolate-fireguard rotor-tips...

[Spiritual_Beggar]

Screw the RX-7;


When are they doing a 'Road' version of the Furai!!!!???

[IainT]

Spiritual_Beggar said:

Screw the RX-7;


When are they doing a 'Road' version of the Furai!!!!???

That'd be something. I'll take 2 please.