2012 Mazda RX-7 spied (via Auto Express)

Call me crazy, but I think it would be sweet if they left the RWD rotary drivetrain in the Euro 6 body and offered it as a sedan. I heart sedans.
 
LOL about those Mazda's mules, reminds me of that Mazda6 mule that popped up when the 2nd generation was about to launch. Can they just make them look more disguising?

Yeah, call it RX-7, every time I hear RX-9 I picture a rotary CX-9, dunno why friggin' why, yuck
 
16c triple or quad sparked it has too keep up with lf-a gtr nsx.
I think it will be economical i cant see bigger displacement spinning up as fast.
I hope its like the furai has a mid-mounted rear engine although rx's have the best weight distribution in my opinion. a forgiving rear engine would be something.
 
Can you educate those that don't know (me)?

Part of the same reason it uses a little oil. In basic terms, oil is injected to lubricate the apex seals. In turn the air/fuel mixture needs to adjust thus a bit more fuel is needed to burn properly. I believe it is also a factor of heat since the rotary engine runs at such a high rate of speed.

Most people don't know of all the positive characteristics of a rotary, they just look at HP/TQ numbers and such.

Here a few.
1. Small size and weight - A rotary can be two-thirds size and weight of a six-cylinder while achieving same level of output. This also allows for better aerodynamics, weight distribution and space utility. In the RX-8 the rotary is placed low and behind the front axle giving it perfect 50-50.

2. Flat torque curve - Torque fluctuations are at the same level as an inline six.

3. Less vibration and low noise - Smooth turning motions generate less vibration, and without any valves/camshafts contributes to a smooth and quiet operation.

4. Simple structure - Only 11 main components make up for a rotary engine. Intake and exhaust ports are opened and closed by the rotor movement itself. No timing belt, camshafts, rocker arms, valves, valve springs, etc.

The rotary and the RX-8 in particular is such an amazing feat of engineering. If you ever get a chance to read the 191 page RX-8 book by Jack K. Yamaguchi I guarantee you would be amazed. I call it my bible. Here's a link: https://www.amazon.com (commissions earned)
 
Last edited:
Part of the same reason it uses a little oil. In basic terms, oil is injected to lubricate the apex seals. In turn the air/fuel mixture needs to adjust thus a bit more fuel is needed to burn properly. I believe it is also a factor of heat since the rotary engine runs at such a high rate of speed.

Most people don't know of all the positive characteristics of a rotary, they just look at HP/TQ numbers and such.

Here a few.
1. Small size and weight - A rotary can be two-thirds size and weight of a six-cylinder while achieving same level of output. This also allows for better aerodynamics, weight distribution and space utility. In the RX-8 the rotary is placed low and behind the front axle giving it perfect 50-50.

2. Flat torque curve - Torque fluctuations are at the same level as an inline six.

3. Less vibration and low noise - Smooth turning motions generate less vibration, and without any valves/camshafts contributes to a smooth and quiet operation.

4. Simple structure - Only 11 main components make up for a rotary engine. Intake and exhaust ports are opened and closed by the rotor movement itself. No timing belt, camshafts, rocker arms, valves, valve springs, etc.

The rotary and the RX-8 in particular is such an amazing feat of engineering. If you ever get a chance to read the 191 page RX-8 book by Jack K. Yamaguchi I guarantee you would be amazed. I call it my bible. Here's a link: https://www.amazon.com (commissions earned)

I totally appreciate the rotary for the brilliant piece of engineering it is and the RX-8 is a car that I adore, but without refining and improving on an original design, the 2011 Porshe 911 Turbo would still produce 240hp and be nigh undriveable!

No one is looking for a dodge viper challenger but both the RX-8 and the MX-5 are in need of a power bump. I love my P5 even though is slow, but the P5 is a sporty wagon not a sports car. I expect my sports cars to pack some punch in additon to handling.

I'll put it this way:

I'm reading the current issue of car and driver with the 4th annual lightning lap held at VIR. For this issue they compiled all the times from the past 4 years to give the reader which cars over and underachieve.

You know what the slowest car around VIR is in the for years that they have done this? 2006 MX-5 with a lap time of 3:29. More than 4 seconds slower per lap than a FWD GTI.....and the GTI isn't even that fast and surely doesn't handle as well.

Another example 2006 Mazda RX-8 with a lap time of 3:19 is blown away around this course by a 2006 nissan 350Z with a time of 3:12.5 or even worse, a FWD 2008 Cobalt SS with a time of 3:13. This isn't some dumb drag race. It's at a track where the RX-8 should Shine. The chassis is willing but.......

the RX-8 deserves better from Mazda and it should have had better by now.

Several of my good friends own RX-8s and I envy them because they are beautiful cars but Mazda needs to up the ante just a little. 300hp, 260lb ft. torque. And let's see what laptimes the RX-8 turns in then. :)

Power isn't everything, but it ain't nothing either. If that was the case, we'd all be driving Priuses!

PS: I still want to own an RX-8 Someday!
 
Last edited:
for the record, I said months ago that mazda was trying to come out with a AWD Mazda6. Holdup was they wanted and needed a auto tranny that would last in the power train.

I am wondering if this car has anythiing to do with a rotary at all. Besides, how do Mazda6 body panels even remotely fit on a rx-8 or 7 type car. We are talking huge difference in size are we not? That is clearly a sedan, or at the very least a 2011 Mazda 6 refresh.
 
Last edited:
16c triple or quad sparked it has too keep up with lf-a gtr nsx.
I think it will be economical i cant see bigger displacement spinning up as fast.
I hope its like the furai has a mid-mounted rear engine although rx's have the best weight distribution in my opinion. a forgiving rear engine would be something.
I don't see Mazda ever doing this. They failed pretty hard the last time they went for a high-priced sports car (yes, the FD3S sales killed it in the U.S.). They will never commit to making a sports car that will be $50k+ and with the current RX-8 models creeping past $40k fully loaded there isn't much space left for a new RX-7 with better numbers.
for the record, I said months ago that mazda was trying to come out with a AWD Mazda6. Holdup was they wanted and needed a auto tranny that would last in the power train.

I am wondering if this car has anythiing to do with a rotary at all. Besides, how do Mazda6 body panels even remotely fit on a rx-8 or 7 type car. We are talking huge difference in size are we not? That is clearly a sedan, or at the very least a 2011 Mazda 6 refresh.
+1

I'm sticking to my original statement that this has nothing to do with a new rotary Mazda. Hell, someone could snap a picture of a Mazda2 with the big dumb smile of a Mazda3 and Tribute rear end and people would start crying RX-7...
 
Last edited:
Agreed. Looks like a mix of the 3 and the 6. Just a slightly smaller 6. Why bring back the rx7 and it be a 4 door sedan?
 
Looks that way to me too, and thats the only thing stopping me from throwing the BS flag on this.


fixed. lol (sorry FD guys, just telling it like it is)

Coming from a fellow MSP owner that shot doesn't mean any thing Carl!!! LOL
We drive the least reliable of all the performance Mazda's

Back on topic:
The fact that they are using an Audi makes me wonder if the RX might be AWD!!!
But imaging if that is infact the new MS6, having a Audi as a trail car would make total sense since the original MS6 was AWD!!!!
 
Coming from a fellow MSP owner that shot doesn't mean any thing Carl!!! LOL
We drive the least reliable of all the performance Mazda's

Back on topic:
The fact that they are using an Audi makes me wonder if the RX might be AWD!!!
But imaging if that is infact the new MS6, having a Audi as a trail car would make total sense since the original MS6 was AWD!!!!

True story, but at least we have the FD guys as company in a close 2nd.
You two are seriously stating the 3rd Generation RX-7's are MORE reliable than MSP's?! (boom03)
 

New Threads and Articles

Back