New RX7 confirmed for 2017 16x Renesis

[rx7boy]

Thanks to Martin @concept7 for the heads up on this one

http://www.themotorreport.com.au/55336/mazda-rx-7-returning-in-2017-yamamoto

[re japi]

Good news

[Ada7]

With so many stories like this over the years i\'m only going to believe it when i see it

Adam

[clive]

A good find and a very very plausible read but  I\'m with Adam on this one, fingers crossed though .

[clive]

Just looked on the Mazda media site and found this below, so with strange things like this, you never know!



January 18, 2013

Mazda Motor Corporation

Fiat Group Automobiles S.p.A.

Mazda and Fiat Sign Agreement for New Alfa Romeo Roadster

Further to the joint announcement of May 23, 2012, Mazda Motor Corporation (Mazda) and Fiat

Group Automobiles S.p.A. (Fiat) announced today the signing of the Final Agreement which will see Mazda produce an open-top two-seater sports car for Fiat’s Alfa Romeo brand at its Hiroshima, Japan, plant starting from 2015.
The new Alfa Romeo roadster will be developed for the global market, and will be based on the architecture of the next generation Mazda MX-5. The agreement foresees for both Mazda and Fiat to develop two differentiated, distinctly styled, iconic and brand-specific roadsters featuring rear-wheel drive. The Mazda and Alfa Romeo variants will each be powered by
specific proprietary engines unique to each brand.

Through this contractual agreement, Mazda aims to enhance development and production efficiency and revitalize enthusiasm for open-top two-seater sports cars around the world.

For Fiat, this collaboration will permit the company to deliver a modern interpretation of the classic Alfa Romeo roadster utilizing the latest technical solutions, helping Alfa Romeo to achieve its stated goals by 2016.
# # #

[Grant Monkhouse]

Although it sound great I am not really impressed by the specs with the price tag, putting it at the 370Z price is a lot of money for a car that won\'t be that much faster than the gt86. The rotary thrives on turbos so they should have done a turbo from the start, even an I crease of 35% more power could justify the cost. They could have done a compound setup for goodnes sake to have response and top end

[marf]

Grant, ummmm what?

Theyre saying it\'ll weigh the same as a GT86 and have 50% more power.

But while 220kW might sound low compared to many other modern sports cars, Yamamoto says that the new RX-7 will be light enough to make the most of its power.

While he was coy about the RX-7\'s target weight, he said it "would definitely be lighter" than the 1310kg FD RX-7, and "probably around the weight of the Toyota 86" (1250kg).

220kw is 295hp.

So lighter than my RX7 RS and more power out of the box. Pretty sure my car is MUCH faster than a GT86 :driving

The article also states they haven\'t ruled out turbocharging.

All I can say is I hope against hope that there isn\'t a massive wave of unfounded negativity about this car like there has been with the GT86, which everyone thinks should weigh no more than a fag packet, have more power than a Veyron and cost the same as a Micra. :2Rolleyes

[Grant Monkhouse]

What I\'m saying though is the price tag associated with what your getting. I\'m sure it will be a great car but what people want is strong torque and power curve with better mpg, something of which went a miss with the rx8. A turbo motor will give both of those without the need to rev to 9500 rpm.

I do find it funny from other forums iv seen this info that most of the people want a retro looking car, a new FB or rx2/3/4 modern take! They are beautiful cars but that would be just daft!

[marf]

What I\'m saying though is the price tag associated with what your getting.

A 1250kg, 300hp is going to be a car capable of around ~5s to 60mph. Of course it\'s going to cost more than a big, heavy 370z with a renault engine :wiggle

And as said, turbo hasn\'t been ruled out. Base model Nasp 300, RS model 400hp turbocharged :chat

[Grant Monkhouse]

Just got to wonder what they are competing the car against in the market? The brz/gt86 handles but down on power, 370Z been out a while as will have the other 2 mentioned?? Porche boxster maybe?

Suppose Mazda could be creating their niche market for the car with no relative competitor.

[marf]

M3 and 911 would be what I\'m picturing it competing with, and probably much cheaper than either of them.

[Grant Monkhouse]

The m3 is hard target to compete with, unless it was turbo\'d....

[marf]

Dunno about that

An E90 M3 is 414hp and 1637kg = 253hp/tonne

New RX7 at 300hp and 1250kg = 240hp/tonne

Not much in it, and we know the new RX7 will have better weight distribution, a lower COG and the engine will be set further back.

I\'m not sure it\'d be that much slower in most circumstances.

[re japi]

Fiat with Mazda? Oh crap...

[marf]

Fiat with Mazda? Oh crap...

How come? Japanese engineering with Italian styling, sounds like a pretty good match to me :mmmm

A new Alfa Spider with Mazda MX5 underpinnings, what\'s not to like?!