After owning an (older) rx-7 in the 1990's, I waited 5 long years between when the delicious rx-7tt was discontinued in 1998 and the rx-8 was released in 2003. I bought one when they came out, 7 years ago.

I love my car, and I was hoping Mazda would have a new rotary sports car by now, but I haven't been able to find any news of one. What about the new rx-7 we have been hearing about for years?

What are rx-8 owners finding to be good options for a next car? I don't see anything really comparable on the market. A Porsche Cayman seems like more money for a less exotic car. What am I missing?

 

We all are waiting! It will be Exciting! It's hard but we know when it comes we will be ready. Yes save it's a good discipline and feels great to pay cash.

 

There is no guarantee of a new rotary powered car any time soon. Look else where if yo uare looking to buy a new sports car soon.

 

Mazda has had a new rotary engine in development for quite a while now but there's no telling when or even if it will hit the market. I think it's unlikely that they'll bring it to market until the world economy improves a great deal, and even then they may not. Aside from the economy, ever-tightening fuel and emissions standards make it harder and harder for Mazda to bring a new rotary to the US.

So, don't hold your breath. I hope this isn't the case, but it's possible that the 8 will be the last of the rotaries. I think there's at least a chance that we'll see the 16X at some point, but I doubt it will be anytime soon.

 

Rx-7tt? I guess you mean the FD ? it was discontinued in the US around 1995, not 1998.

The last FD was made in 2002, Grey color FD.

Why people keep calling it "the new RX-7", hello it WILL NOT be called RX-7 stop saying the new Rx7. it will be either the same RX-8 or RX-9.

It will not be called RX-8 again? why not? RX-7 name got how many update again? from the original SA22C to the last FD3S. All called RX-7. So I don't see why the next Rotary car cannot be RX-8 (again)

16x is not as easy as Mazda thought it will be, cuz its a completely new displacement, a lot issues will arise. I think the Rotor Geometry alone will take Mazda a year or 2 to figure it out. Just look at 12A/13B.

 

I don't think that anyone is assuming it will be called an "RX-7," it's more like people are waiting for the next rotary-powered coupe.

If the 16X has two seats and two doors, is lighter than the 8, and has more power due to larger displacement, then that will be the new "RX-7" in a way the 8 never was.

Yeah the 16X has issues to work out, but it's been in development for quite a while. I think its clearance for production probably has more to do with economics than engineering at this point. I hope I'm wrong though and it comes out in 2012. We'll see.

 

Couldn't have said it any differently myself. I too got my 8 the day they released them from the docks in 2003, had my deposit long before that (join date). Cayman S is what I've been watching at track days. It's certainly less 'exotic', actually almost invisible... but it does have power and handling, and in a couple yrs the used '10 will be somewhat cheaper hopefully. I have no illusions Mazda is fighting an uphill battle to keep the rotary alive. Yet they have done it before and so we got the 8, but I have doubts this time, times have changed. My 8 still has some good yrs in it hopefully. The question is whether I do lol.

 

the 2010 r3

 

The rotary community is enthusiast based. The 8 has unfortunately (but not entirely undeservingly) been given a really bad rap for engine issues. Mazda did the right thing by extending the warranty, but to many, that may have been putting a bandaid on an arterial bleed. Mazda has a lot going with the rx8 but the reason for them to retain a rotary engine is perplexing to me. They could succesfully quell all concerns associated with the current rx by cutting the rotary in the new rx line. Will they? If they were smart, they could put far more r and d into something more rewarding.

 

Without a rotary it's not an RX, period.

The rotary engine is what really sets Mazda apart, they've stuck by it in hard times before. I don't think they will be able to do it for much longer (hell, gas engines in general are probably on the way out before too long), but I think they'll bring another rotary to market if they can find any way to do so.

They've show remarkable dedication to rotaries in the past when they could have done better with pistons. They are more dedicated to rotaries than *we* are.

Still, the future looks dim for rotaries. But I'm pretty sure that Mazda won't abandon the rotary until they absolutely have no choice.

 

if they really give up on Rotary, they wouldn't even spend the money to develop the new RX-8.

Cuz I heard a friend, he has really close relationship with Knight Sports, told me that Mazda (cuz Knight Sports is really close to Mazda too) spend almost the same amount of money on R&D to create the new Rx-8 (compare to the original Rx-8), cuz the new E-MOP and all other stuff they created cost them a lot of money.

So in the other words, S2 RX-8 is a test bed for the next generation rotary engine.

Giving up on Rotary? nope. never for Mazda.

 

To keep the rotary alive guys we all need to show support, which is why Sevenstock 13 is such a big deal, to show Mazda we need the rotary. Sevenstock is the biggest rotary event in the Western hemisphere, its a big deal guys... Show some support

 

Besides the already apparent advantages, the rotary will have alot going for it in the future after some of its technological hurdles are cleared. Don't forget about the ease of which you can get a rotary to run on different types of fuel as well. The wankel is a great design, it just needs a bit more in implementation. I still think a large part of what is wrong with rotary ownership is lack of knowledge on the part of most mechanics out there. Just the fact that most mazda dealerships don't know what to do with an 8 just further illustrates my point. Think about how much easier ownership would be if you could actually trust all the dealership mechanics.

 

Company execs have said that the Rotary is the heart & soul of Mazda. There will be another, what ever they call it. Especially now that Ford isn't running the show. I, however, will not be buying the car until it has been out for a couple of years this time.

 

I sparked a few comments resulting from my "rotary retaining" views. Look, I personally love the rotary, but anyone I talk to doesn't like the RX8 because of the engine alone. If Mazda could produce a more reliable rotary engine, then I would be all over grabbing another one. My point is that Mazda really shot themself in the foot with the issues we have been having, then went further by proclaiming that the feedback from RX8 owners on overall owner satisfaction shall not be taken into account for Mazda's overall satisfaction rating.

I agree the RX isn't the RX without the rotary. I'm just looking at the big picture and I see many hurdles for Mazda to clear for the rotary to be a success. Those hurdles include fuel consumption, emissions, reliability, and increased power. I hope they can do it. I'm just not sure they can.

The easy road is dropping an inline 4, turbo'd, into our cars. Come on. I have dreamt of what a Speed3 engine would do for my RX8. I'm sure I'm not alone. I'd have plenty of modifiable power, torque, and reliablity. No more praying the car starts when I turn the key. I do love my rotary, but like I said, we are an enthusiast crowd. A majority of people fail to see and experience the benefits of the rotary that we do. Just my two cents.

 

Mitsubishi has been producing the Eclipse since 1989, so what's 7 years?

 

OP:

Since this has turned into another speculation thread or what mazda should do thread, I'll answer your question without going into it.

No one knows when the next rotary car will be out with the exception of Mazda. Everything is about the next RX is speculation, hearsay and opinion at this point. We just have to wait for something concrete.

 

What!


You want the new improved version with even a bigger smilely face?

No really, don't be shocked when the new sports car comes out it is a diesel turbo hybird.

That's the wave of the future.

The Rotary is dead unless you can convince the world to have hydrogen fuel stations.

 

Oh by the way ... it still be a part of our soul and heart.

She will just have been passed away, like our former relatives.

 

And this is my exact opinion on the topic as well. Biggest issue, unfortunately, is emissions.

There's rumors that within the next 10 years we could see stricter emissions and fuel consumption standards for cars. I read somewhere ( looking for article) that eventually all new cars sold will have to acheive 50mpg or better. Obviously, we're far away from this since the only car to achieve this is looking like the Chevy Volt and a handful of others.

But fuel consumption in todays day and age has been the rotaries downfall. They're making headway with hydrogen powered rotaries (although they only produce 100hp) which gives hope that Mazda is thinking about the future of the rotary.

But with ratings of 17/22mpg in a world full of fairweather tree-huggers, it's going to be tough to keep the acceleration of the current RX8 AND increase mpg/emissions IMO.

Just what Ive gathered from researching....

 

Dammit, just searched the web for that article about the future emissions regulations, cant find it now so I guess my quote stays with no backbone.

Heres a little info on the hydrogen RX8 which most here know of.

http://blogs.edmunds.com/greencaradv...ian-roads.html

 

Given what the future is likely to hold (demand) .... How about a SMALLER displacement rotary than 1.3l, perhaps 1.0L, direct injected, low pressure turbocharged, w/ceramic insulated housing producing ~ 200HP, with part time hybrid electric assist adding another ~ 50HP, in a lighterweight 2 seater platform ~2400lbs

?

 

The speed3's haven't been super reliable either.

 

True, everybody (literally) I know that has a speed3 needed a new turbo before 30K miles. Everycar has it's bugs.

I wouldnt mind a boosted 4 cylinder Mazda Sports car, just not in an RX. RX is reserved for rotary powered cars, it would be the equivilant of putting a 4 cylinder in a corvette. Just doesnt make sense

 

http://www.motortrend.com/future/fut...x_7/index.html

http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2...g-in-2013.html

Mazda has stated, on several occasions and in no uncertain terms, that there will be a new rotary engine sports car. Where are these reports of the rotary's demise coming from, exactly? The only place I've read such speculation is on car forums like this one.

If someone could provide a link to a published report or article – written by a professional automotive journalist – suggesting the RX-8 is likely Mazda's last rotary car, I would be most interested in reading it.