Mazda bringing back RX-7
Thread Starter
Shelby GT500 Member
Joined: March 10, 2004
Posts: 2,586
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From: Sherman, TX
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
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
Bullitt Member
Joined: February 4, 2004
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RX-8 meets Elise styling? Interesting. Supercharged 300hp rotary? Oh yes ... now that is nice 
What's that Nissan GT-R, is that the Skyline or a new breed? If the styling is good, that sounds alot like the old 3000GT VR4.
What's that Nissan GT-R, is that the Skyline or a new breed? If the styling is good, that sounds alot like the old 3000GT VR4.
V6 Member
Joined: July 8, 2004
Posts: 88
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I loved the last generation of RX-7... and if Nissan were to ever bring a Skyline to the US.. I might have to get one. Call me riceboy or whatever, but those two models I mentioned really are nice looking cars. Not as nice looking as my '04 GT, but hey.. they're close. : )
Tasca Super Boss 429 Member
Joined: February 1, 2004
Posts: 3,751
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Hope they do it justice. The last US RX was a highmark in Japanese design, IMO. 300 hp out of 1.6 L, talk about your Zoom Zoom.
Oh, and srry to teh kiwis but rating performance car engine output in Kilowatts just isn't the same.
Oh, and srry to teh kiwis but rating performance car engine output in Kilowatts just isn't the same.
Mach 1 Member
Joined: January 30, 2004
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Sweet the prodigal sons of the Japanese Imports are finally coming back. After all these years of hearing they will be back (just like the GM guys keep proclaiming that the camaro will be too [which i wish would come back because i love the f-bodies]).
Now if the Skyline and the Supra do come to North America don't expect them to be any cheaper then $45,000 USD. Heck the Skyline will probably be more around $50,000 USD. But hey thats just my opinion.
<dreams of driving down the road and seeing a Skyline (my dream Japanese Import car) pull up right next to me then just leav me in its dust.> :drive:
Now if the Skyline and the Supra do come to North America don't expect them to be any cheaper then $45,000 USD. Heck the Skyline will probably be more around $50,000 USD. But hey thats just my opinion.
<dreams of driving down the road and seeing a Skyline (my dream Japanese Import car) pull up right next to me then just leav me in its dust.> :drive:
Cobra Member
Joined: May 15, 2004
Posts: 1,422
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Hey, guys, the Skyline is already here...its the Infiniti G35 coupe...
Nissan Japanese Lineup... click on Skyline and check out the pic... B)
Now, if your lookin' for the old model, better make a friend in Tokyo
Nissan Japanese Lineup... click on Skyline and check out the pic... B)
Now, if your lookin' for the old model, better make a friend in Tokyo
Cam Tease
Joined: September 30, 2004
Posts: 1,378
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That is the JDM skyline only, not the GT-R we will be getting here in 2 or so years.
I think the A-spec 2007 Skyline GT-R will be build on the same FM architecture as the Z and G, it will retain the VQ but i think they will team with cosworth to alter it a bit (im thinking titanium cylinder sleeves to handle the big boost of twin turbos). AWD and all wheel steering is likely. Nissan may outsource the handling/suspension tuning to lotus.
so in recap, im thinking:
badged as an infiniti
500hp
AWD AWS
$70,000
0-60 ~ 4 seconds
1/4 ~ 11.5 seconds
and handling will be very....awesome
I think the A-spec 2007 Skyline GT-R will be build on the same FM architecture as the Z and G, it will retain the VQ but i think they will team with cosworth to alter it a bit (im thinking titanium cylinder sleeves to handle the big boost of twin turbos). AWD and all wheel steering is likely. Nissan may outsource the handling/suspension tuning to lotus.
so in recap, im thinking:
badged as an infiniti
500hp
AWD AWS
$70,000
0-60 ~ 4 seconds
1/4 ~ 11.5 seconds
and handling will be very....awesome
I'm people, and I like.
Joined: March 13, 2004
Posts: 9,243
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From: PDX
Originally posted by AnotherMustangMan@January 8, 2005, 9:49 AM
That is the JDM skyline only, not the GT-R we will be getting here in 2 or so years.
I think the A-spec 2007 Skyline GT-R will be build on the same FM architecture as the Z and G, it will retain the VQ but i think they will team with cosworth to alter it a bit (im thinking titanium cylinder sleeves to handle the big boost of twin turbos). AWD and all wheel steering is likely. Nissan may outsource the handling/suspension tuning to lotus.
so in recap, im thinking:
badged as an infiniti
500hp
AWD AWS
$70,000
0-60 ~ 4 seconds
1/4 ~ 11.5 seconds
and handling will be very....awesome
That is the JDM skyline only, not the GT-R we will be getting here in 2 or so years.
I think the A-spec 2007 Skyline GT-R will be build on the same FM architecture as the Z and G, it will retain the VQ but i think they will team with cosworth to alter it a bit (im thinking titanium cylinder sleeves to handle the big boost of twin turbos). AWD and all wheel steering is likely. Nissan may outsource the handling/suspension tuning to lotus.
so in recap, im thinking:
badged as an infiniti
500hp
AWD AWS
$70,000
0-60 ~ 4 seconds
1/4 ~ 11.5 seconds
and handling will be very....awesome
sounds interestingi'd like to see that
Bullitt Member
Joined: October 12, 2004
Posts: 450
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Originally posted by WaveMan2k3@December 23, 2004, 6:36 PM
Heck the Skyline will probably be more around $50,000 USD.
Heck the Skyline will probably be more around $50,000 USD.
Team Mustang Source
Joined: January 29, 2004
Posts: 6,730
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Originally posted by future9er24@December 9, 2004, 12:40 AM
im excited. i hope it'l be nearer to 'stang prices cuz IMO RX8s (being th only other rotary cars on the market) are a bit overpirced dontcha think?
im excited. i hope it'l be nearer to 'stang prices cuz IMO RX8s (being th only other rotary cars on the market) are a bit overpirced dontcha think?
Cobra Member
Joined: September 25, 2004
Posts: 1,470
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Will be interested to see just how different the RX-7 is from the RX-8. Some slight weight differences and some hp numbers, but the thing needs torque badly. Maybe that is why they are thinking about a blower. :shrug:
The GT-R sounds like an amazing vehicle, but way too costly and rumored to look very much like a stock G35. Will wait to see the end result, but it most assuredly will be out of my price range.
Now, a Supra to fight the Z would be interesting......
The GT-R sounds like an amazing vehicle, but way too costly and rumored to look very much like a stock G35. Will wait to see the end result, but it most assuredly will be out of my price range.
Now, a Supra to fight the Z would be interesting......
GT Member
Joined: December 10, 2004
Posts: 159
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It will be interesting to see what the RX 7 will be like. With the RX 8 at around 26k to start, I would think the RX 7 would be 32k entry level. if not higher. Kinda stinks cuz I really would like to have a RX 7 that was priced the same as a Z.
Cam Tease
Joined: September 30, 2004
Posts: 1,378
Likes: 0
Holdecar1, I dunno if you were using hyperbole for effect or not, but 150 ft-lbs? If the thing is gonna be forced induction ide be expecting at least 200+ ft-lbs. Its got like 35% bigger displacement (1.6 vs. 1.3 liters), on the 13B which makes like 135 ft-lbs i think?
0.3 liter advantage + 10 psi (yes, 10 psi is a guess) = much more than 15 ft-lbs difference. (im comparing the RX-8 motor to the "16BTT" or whatever the RX-7 motor is gonna be called)
I dunno though the entire point of this post is to get me closer to being a "GT member"
0.3 liter advantage + 10 psi (yes, 10 psi is a guess) = much more than 15 ft-lbs difference. (im comparing the RX-8 motor to the "16BTT" or whatever the RX-7 motor is gonna be called)
I dunno though the entire point of this post is to get me closer to being a "GT member"