MAZDA RX-7 RETURNS AS A TRUE ROTARY-POWERED SPORTS CAR IN 2026 // LATEST NEWS FROM BEST CAR MAGAZINE
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- Опубліковано 18 жов 2024
- Latest news from Japan says that the legendary Mazda RX-7 will indeed return to the world market as a true rotary-powered sports machine. Previously speculated to return as an electric car, Best Car Magazine from Japan now says that the next gen RX-7 will be powered by the rotary engine but likely assisted by twin electric motors (mild hybrid system). They do not believe that it will return as a pure EV vehicle - which is a great news for all of us who want to see the rotary engine back as the main powerplant. Find out all the details and the latest rendering by watching David's explanation about the return of the RX-7.
Automotive Press is owned and managed by David Koichi Chao, a global expert in the field of automotive evaluation, engineering, and strategy. With over 35 years of engineering experience, David is able to review vehicles from unique perspectives utilizing technical and specialized methods. David is a board member and a director at AJAC (Automobile Journalist Association of Canada).
David is known around the world as an authentic specialist of Lean/Agile Thinking, and travels all around the world to review vehicles and teach latest engineering methods. Born and raised in Japan, David has an engineering degree from University of British Columbia and post-graduate education from MIT and Harvard Business School in Boston.
As an owner of the classic 1979 RX-7, I am thrilled to hear this news!
Me too except mine was a 1980
@@stephenmendes2289 was? Shame on you! You must have burned it up like so many others.
lovely car
@gosman949 Rotary engines were not known for their long life, due to apex seal failures. I've owned four rotary engine Mazdas, but my MX5 Miata's engine is far more robust. Still, I loved the rotaries while I had them.
Me too.
A 3 Rotor Turbo Mild Hybrid (400hp), around 2950lbs, similar size to the 2018-23 Aston Martin Vantage, with a $45k price tag, would be the perfect Sports Car the world needs.
45K 🤣🤣🤣
I can barely get a Prius for that money these days...
@@CrossWindsPat No joke. I was just at a Toyota dealership and took a quick look at 3 Prius Prime's. All averaging 40-41k!
lol dream on
45k! And 3000lb hybrid! Would you like it to fly as well? Put the pipe down buddy.
@@bearclaw5115 I also went and looked at a used limited w/ 7k miles and they wanted 38k before all their fees!!!
I am a Mazda enthusiast and owner. Today is my birthday and these news are the best birthday presents to me from Mazda👍.
Happy birthday and it is great to know the Mazda is making a comeback. Especially with the RX7
@@nomsi4263 Thank you very much! 😊
Panties spotted.
I am a Ford man. However, Mazda is my favorite Japanese brand. My wife owns a 2018, 3 since It was new with no issues.
LOVE the pop-up headlamp slits.
If this car comes out in the configuration you're saying, I will put my name on a pre-order to give my 94 rx7 a buddy :)
I had a Mazda rotary pickup. The rotary and the manual transmission was a great combination.
I'd love to see another Mazda pickup. If VW won't bring the Amarok to America, maybe Ford can partner with Mazda for a premium version of the Ranger. An electric powertrain with a rotary generator would be awesome.
Nice that is a timeless design. It looks good in any era.
Well here’s hoping this is true because I’m tired of all the endless EVs, trucks, SUVs and not much else 😢
@@rickjohansson4257nice bait buddy. Anyone that’s buying these cars knows they were never reliable and nobody buys them for reliability so your point is invalid.
@@rickjohansson4257the EVs or rotaries?
Yeah but are you even gonna buy it? When they're definitely gonna be at least 40k not to mention if you live in America stealerships going to mark it up.
After 21 yrs of Hondas I bought my first Mazda. A Mazda3 Premium Hatchback 6spd MT. Couldn't be happier. It just keeps getting better with Mazda.
Great car!
The Japanese houses are bringing all the greats. I think Subaru, Honda and Toyota all made a great effort to keep sports cars alive, but I'm really, really glad Mazda is bringing their own as well. One of the best in car design in my opinion. I just hope they keep their square theme far for the cars
Toyota just had BMW build them one 😂
Great effort indeed.
but Toyota will bring the mr2 out and currently have the gr corolla and gr yaris. Plus build thr gr 86 along side the brz for subaru
@@joshuakern1274 I think teaming with BMW pissed a lot of people up. I wonder why they did not partner with another Japanese maker....
I was so looking forward to owning a new Supra till I found out it was just a shit BMW with a Toyota badge. They really dropped the ball on the Supra.
Great news if it pans out! I learned to drive in the late 1970’s on a 1974 Mazda RX-4 Wagon (with the same rotary engine that was in the RX-7). It was a great manual transmission car with lots of pep and fun to drive. We had no problems with the seals. I would buy a rotary powered vehicle if offered by Mazda again… with a stick shift!
Wonderful story, but Mazda never offered the rotary engine in a wagon body. If it was rotary powered, it was sedan or coupe, if it was a wagon, it was 4cyl.
@@nathanhansford76 - I imagine you read that somewhere, but that source is incorrect. I can assure you from my first-hand experience driving and maintaining that wagon that it did have a rotary engine. I bought that car from my Dad and owned it for 12 years through college and into my marriage.
A quick internet search for a 1974 Mazda RX-4 Wagon shows it was a rotary Wankel engine, hence the RX designation and the “Rotary Wagon” badging. The wagon version was apparently rare in the USA, with the RX-4 wagon being the larger successor to the RX-3 wagon body style.
Folks in their late-fifties and older that were living in the U.S. will remember the 1970’s TV commercials and print ad campaign (with the Mazda “Rotary Wagon” and the kid on the pogo stick representing the piston engine). My internet search found a 1973 RX-3 Rotary Wagon TV commercial. It was entertaining to watch over 50 years later.
@@GrayMatheson I didn't read it, I lived it. I have previously owned every model from r100 to rx7 and currently own an rx8. We obviously live in different countries/markets. The rotary was only available in sedan and coupe here.
WOOOOoooo Mazda returns. I drove my friends FD RX-7 and fell in love.
What a timeless sexy design
I had a Rx 7 fully loaded with the 13b engine. I absolutely loved it, it was sooo fun.
Gorgeous concept. Would love to see it. Doubt we will though.
For Mazda to fix emissions, fuel economy, and durability of the rotary would be an incredibly difficult task in today's regulatory environment. To turn a profit on a low volume coupe with a reasonable asking price would be next to impossible.
I've always thought Mazda was using the rotary in the wrong application. They stuck it in the heavier RX models where it's lack of torque and terrible fuel economy were major liabilities. Instead they should have put it in a coupe form of the Miata. The lightweight engine (90lbs) would really be felt there. Low torque and economy wouldn't be as pertinent because the car would weigh 1,000lbs less. Durability concerns would be alleviated somewhat because most people don't put that many miles on a Miata. And they already have the platform there, speeding development and lowering costs dramatically. Just imagine a Miata Coupe with 250+hp, 2,000-2,100lb curb weight and a relatively low price tag!
My first new car was a 1980 RX-7, this unexpected news is genuinely thrilling!
Fd is one of the most beautiful cars made imo. Fc is nice too. Never had either one though
yes, more please. This design looks fantastic!
The most stunning design I’ve seen in years!
Funny how everyone calls it an rx7 instead of rx8.... Really shows which car was more iconic for Mazda
An RX-8 is a cool fun car but no comparison to an RX-7 for being iconic. That’s also why it won’t be called RX-9!
It’s because rx7 stands for 2 door, rotary sports car per Mazda. It doesn’t go in chronological order.
The RX-8 should have been called an RX-5.
The RX8 will never be iconic.
it’s because of the Rx8 was nice but the Rx-7 had the spirit, ifini, all the fast and furious references and need for speed. Then all those beautiful modified versions of the Rx7.
If it’s a rotary engine and looks like that.... I’ll buy IT !
Mazda already said that they would never make another rotary engine plus the company has no money so I think this is BS
Had a 84 GSL-SE, fuel injected and manual, back when I was 20. Sold it, I was young and foolish. Loved the handling and buttery smoothness. If this new RX7 presents as you state I would consider it if the price is not stupid high. Listening, Mazda? Good power and make it affordable!!
It would be awesome to see another RX7. Third generation FD RX7 was one of the most beautiful car ever made.
Rotary enthusiast's have been waiting a long time... as much as I want to believe a return to form for Mazda, I won't hold my breath for it. Return articles have ran rampant for almost decades at this point.
I think my ND2 Miata is one of the most timeless designs offered in the last 20 years. However, this Iconic SP design is, IMO, even more lovely.
I will 100% be an early owner of one when they come out. Can't wait.
I would love to see that concept come to life as is!
I can’t decide between this and the MR2. Can’t wait to see what Toyota and Mazda cook up.
I had a 1984 RX7, loved that car when going up hills, it was effortless. And it was manual transmission. 😁
I had a 84 GSL-SE and that car was a torque monster with the big 13B in it, what a great car !!
I had an Rx3 back in the 70’s. I would love one of these. Fingers crossed!!
This is an exciting news for mazda fans ！ GREAT！
Perfection in motion! Bring it on, MAZDA!!!
Good stuff🎉. I hope this legendary sports car does make it back? It's a true Icon 🌋
I had a 1983 RX7 ported with webber carburetors and changed my exhaust system and Boy was it a fun car with a lot of high RPM”s.I have a Hot Rod now but can’t wait to see them back on the road 😊
Great video! 🙌🏻
This concept is from my view the best looking car japan has ever made. Release it like this unchanged and it will be a legendary car leaving a mark on the car market.
hallo honda S2000 do you want to come back to market..?
Had the second year RX7…….rotary power love it. It was white with tan seat. Can’t beat it.
We've been teased long enough since the Rx-9 concept and was ready to pull the trigger upon release. -- never happened 😢. Thans Dave for sharing this wonderful news. I'm still a proud owner of a 1984 Rx-7 GSLSE for 38 years now in mint condition and hope to own one of these soon. 😊
No need to apologise my dude. I am sure your channel community have no probs understanding you. I am so excited about this news.
Looks a lot like a Lotus Evora. I love it. I mostly don't even care what the performance is like, as long as the price is good.
Amazing design, superb choice of the powertrain, can't wait for this car to hit the market in the future!
This is great news for the Japanese car market 🙏🙌
I previously had 2 RX/7s, a Red one and a Gold one. Looking forward to having a 3rd one.
A ROTARY HYBRID? oh the joy, i was under the impression it'd have a rotary range extender. god bless you mazda. you know what's good.
As far as I know the Rotary engine is just there to charge the batteries (i.e range extender, as you said). Every piece of info I've seen (even straight from Mazda) has shown that the plan is to have the wheels powered by electric motors, with a rotary powerplant (not connected to any driven wheels) to charge the batteries (making it a hybrid, similar to the original Fisker Karma).
So in a couple of coming years we are getting new RX7, New Prelude, New M2. What year is this?!
Got two rx7 tenth ae turbos a 2015 mazda 3 and a 06rx8 safe to say I'm excited to see it return. Love the look of it!
Love the body style, what’s the pros to using a rotary engine?
Do they produce more horsepower?
I hope they give the option of an ICE-only rotary engine and a manual transmission. The world is crying out for analog cars!
Will it be available as a manual?
Nice looking concept. Never driven an RX-7 (only driven a Mazda period once in my life), but I’d be interested in this.
I’m really hoping for a two rotor hybrid. Electric motor paired with rotary just makes so much sense. A rear mounted transaxle for optimum weight distribution would be so impressive.
Does it come with a spare rotary engine?
Is a great looking car, please make it happen 🎉🎉❤❤
Great news, but the FD visual appeal is still so much better.
Make this the next Miata and give us the Vision Coupe as the next RX car 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Love my RX7 had one in high school, I will buy it if they make it
I thought there was talk that styling wise, this was similar to the new MX-5. But I wonder, why not build the MX-5 and the RX-7 on the same platform but with different engines and where one is a convertible and the other a hardtop -- somewhat like the Boxster/Cayman. Mazda has to find economies of scale to build a sportscar.
Wow! At that price, if true, I’ll have one. Is it a 2 seater or a 2+2 ?
I had the 8 with the French (Suicide) Doors. Everything about that car was nuts. 40th Anniversary Special Edition. They only produced 100 for sale in the US.
That vertical stripe detail on the hood is actually lifted off the more recent white prototype they’ve been showing at their experience center. Hope they keep the cleaner look of the original red version from the auto show
would love it... Have been a life long Mazda owner, love my MX-5 at the moment, and would easily switch to the RX-7.
Talk about ZoomZoom,,,,,,,, lv Mazda ,,,,,,, this would be vantastic. Styling is so classy. This is refreshing.
I wonder if they have solved the issues with the rotor edge seals?
Beat me to it! Nice work David
David, Doesn't have a minivan of kids to take care of😉
I still want to hear your opinions Kirk! Let’s do a collab soon!
Mike, are you implying that I have a lot of free time as a result!? You’ve got to be joking…I have 2 full time jobs and a lot of responsibilities with extended family members.
@@AutomotivePress No, that is not what I was implying.
like my first RX7 in 1978, I would buy this car sight unseen.
it would be my 5th RX7...
Bring it on David loved the RX7.
*Had the original RX7, great little car but the Wankle wasn't ready for prime time, and most of us had to fight with Mazda to get them to cover a main bearing failure--chichi ultimately they covered half, still had to pony up $1,250+ to get it repaired, and the repairs were not an upgrade, but installing the same bearing that failed in the first place. I LOVE the MX5 in RF trim, no more rotary engines for this boy.*
@@gailmrutland6508 So you believe that a 2026 Rotary will likely be the same as your 1979 with bearing problems?
My wife had a 1986 Honda Accord that had transmission failure at 60,000 miles. Should we never buy a 2024 2-liter Honda engine because of that 1986 issue?
@@davepaturno4290 Actually, the defect is in the Wankle design, not the manufacturing. Recent reviews if you go look, says the failure is not been engineered out. But you want one, go for it!
@gailmrutland6508 Recent reviews of an engine that has not been released for a future car model are basically worthless. For all we know, Mazda engineers may be nearing a breakthrough that is not known by journalists.
I’m old enough to remember when Mazda made exciting cars
I hope the RX-7, Celica, Sylvia, and Prelude all come back.
What a beautiful car! When can I place my pre-order?😂
I would probaby trade in my MX5 RF 2 liter and pay the difference. This looks so elegant and timeless
As glorious as it sounds, I'll not believe it until it not only hits production, but actually hits US shores for at least a second model year. Promises and speculation around the revival of the rotary have all been made many a time, but they have never borne fruit. Even models that kinda-sorta hit production were found to be so lackluster and/or unreliable that they were killed before the first model year ended. So yeah, the threshold of believable is that high for a reason.
Not a shot this thing is under $50 if it does come to market. To be fair, if the driving experience is great, I'd happily be in one of these in the $60's. But we've seen the rumors many times before, so I won't be holding my breath until Mazda announces something, haha.
They won't be able to build them fast enough. Gorgeous!
Highly doubt this is happening. We've been going back and forth on speculation on an RX-8 successor for nearly two decades. The inherent design of the rotary makes it tough to survive in a world with tightened emissions regulations, difficult to meet the performance of rivals and with supplemental electric motors, would undo the benefits of the lightweight engine itself.
Don't get me wrong I love rotaries and even owned an RX8 R3 years ago and deeply regret parting with, but we've been down this road soo many times with Mazda before. They're the king of concepts and far beyond from the company that brought us the sportscars of yesteryear. Don't forget they just axed the Mazda 6 which was on track to receive a Turbo Inline-six with RWD; in favor of focusing on SUV's. What could possibly make people believe they're going to make a bespoke new sportscar, with an engine they've struggled to bring back for years, within a shrinking sportscar market and expect it to even survive?
first of all I will love to see it, but I really doubt with that setup will be around 40k, way more 50+. Just take a look at the mazda mx-5 (today)
I’m loving all the revamped cars out of Japan. All these models came out when I was too young to afford buying. What’s next Japan? Mitsubishi 3000GT? Decisions decisions…
No way anyone will get one for 35-40K.
Good luck!
Sexy and timeless design! Hope Mazda brings it to light. I can see this as a market sales gamechanger for them if they price it right
If there is a version where the rear wheels are powered by an ICE, I can't see it having a rotary engine; it wouldn't meet emissions regulations. It looks gorgeous though.
Not when Trump wins and disbands the EPA. God willing.
They are working with Toyota and Subaru to develop new engines for each company. Mazda with rotaries (probably including hybrids), Toyota with two new inline 4s, and Subaru with a hybrid boxer. So I’m sure they are going to do everything in their power to make it pass emissions
Iconic sp is gorgeous. I'll take two.
Great! Please update us also on next gen mx-5.
Love the design. But will it be affordable?
I am a current CX-5 owner, love the car and the brand. From memory, the RX-7 of the 80s was an expensive car which is why I went from the Nissan 240 SX SE (Silvia in other markets). Now that the names plates will return it will be a difficult choice to make: Does one go for the Celica, RX-7, or 240/Silvia?
This is great news.
Can’t wait to see the dealer’s “market adjustment” on this one’s price sticker.
I still have my 84 GSLSE With 28000 MILES ON IT. Garage kept since new!
The GSL-SE was the best of all RX-7 cars. I’ve owned two of them.
I hear you David and Im hopeful but I'll only believe it when I see it or the companies start track testing camouflaged models.
All the iconic Japanese cars from the 1980s are gradually coming back, including the Toyota Celica, MR-2, and RX-7. I love '80s Japanese vehicles. The question remains: Are there buyers for the 2-door coup and sports cars now? Time has changed, and people want SUVs. If Mazda seriously brings back the RX-7, I hope they add pop-up headlights.😍
The pop up headlights: it won't. The pedestrian crash regulations already caused that feature extinct in the past. But it is ironic the over 5 feet tall front of full size SUV are allowed while pop up headlights got banned.
Good question. The answer should be no. Even the turnover of MX-5 seems slow, and I see MX-5s that were traded in. The Camaro has been discontinued, the Supra is on the deathlist because the Z4 is. The Z seems to be a flop. For the same amount of money as these vehicles you can get a big pickup or SUV, that you might be more comfortable in and are more suited as dailies. Older more affluent people also tend to have families, which they want to vacation with. Or just go to the mall or restaurant somewhere. Overlanding and camping are the in thing these days, you want a vehicle to drive you to where you want to hike or trail run. Lifestyle has changed. Why would I be a resurrected RX-7 when I can buy a CX-90? Even the one made this video bought himself a Land Cruiser, he himself is representative of the buying trend of the senior market. When I was young the RX-7 was my dream car, but now for the equivalent cash I would plug myself with an SUV instead.
@@ChrisRobato Thank you. You're dead right. I agree everything you said. I got older myself, SUV would be more practical for my life now, indeed. But, I still love RX-7🤩"Back to the future."
I am ordering one if the prod car looks close enough to the concept!
My only issue is the rotary and maintenance to keep them going without issue it seems like one has to do so much to keep a rotary going issue free in the sense of it being a rotary engine. The price point is amazing and almost unbelievable for a vehicle like that it’s like saying the Supra would be 35-40k so that one I don’t know
Damn, might be time to sell some of my project cars
Mazda pickups were the greatest small trucks in America before they turned into Ford Rangers. Wish we could still get something like it.
Love the lights but unfortunately the safety issues will not allow it....
Looking forward to it...
How about Mx 5 suspension combined with the rotary?
I think for the rotary to work it would only make sense as a hybrid system, fast running rotors can help charge the battery way faster and kept at a certain range can also avoid apex seal issues
They can achieve this with a series-parallel setup where it can power the wheels but can also charge the batteries if need be, whereas a series hybrid only charges the batteries. And I find series hybrids lame as hell. Keep series hybrids to commuter cars, not a sports car like this
I don't mind using the rotary for charging only, but that would exclude actual gears and manual shifting, and that's a deal breaker for me.
@@interamerichanic which is why if they wanna use it as a generator, that form should only be in commuter vehicles, a sports car like this needs to have the rotary and electric motor both powering the wheels
If they come out with it in that blue I’ll buy it.
Prelude may come back as well.
I bought a 2025 CX70, and I like the mild hybrid system in it. (340HP version)
Id like to see the engine completely behind the front wheels like the miata and an electric front drive like the corvette eray. Im super excited to see how a re engineered rotary will perform and its reliability long term.