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RPM TV Website | March 22, 2024

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Mazda to possibly look at RX-8 successor

Mazda RX-7
Adam Schoeman

Mazda has been quite open when it comes to what its plans are for a successor to the rotary-powered RX-8; there are no plans for a larger sports car.

This has always been linked to the cost of developing a bespoke platform for such a car, which already does not benefit from sharing engine parts with the rest of the Mazda range, and would therefore not be financially viable.

But according to some sources within Mazda, things are not quite as clear as that.

Apparently the RX-8 successor project was not axed, because it was never started, which might sound even worse but in reality is actually a good thing. It means that there is still hope for the project if a solid business case can be made for the car.

The MX-5 could very well the be the salvation to our rotary dreams as it is built on a rear-wheel drive, front engine-mounted platform, and one that Mazda says it can extend.

The SkyActiv technology used on the MX-5 has the ability to be extended to a point where the current platform could support something like the RX-8 with minimal changes, giving the iconic sports car a shared platform.

The reduced cost base that this would result in could be what is needed for Mazda to seriously consider putting the RX range back into production.

Mazda owes a lot to the RX, which is a range that holds a lot of heritage for the Japanese brand. It would be a prime time to release one as the RX-7 was as prominent in the Japanese underground racing scene as Toyota’s 86.

We are particularly excited about a new RX because the previous one was built without turbochargers as Mazda wanted to prove it could produce a rotary engine without forced induction. With that done hopefully the new RX will be turbocharged and could compete with the more seriously powerful sports cars.

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