While Toyota works on getting its FT-86 rear-wheel-drive coupe on the road and as Nissan plans a rival, another Japanese automaker is going to throw its two cents into the segment as well. Sources close to Mazda say that RX-7 should see a revival sometime in early 2011 and will mark the end of the slow-selling and expensive RX-8.
The next-generation Mazda RX-7 will use the company’s new Renesis 16X rotary engine, which made its debut in the Taiki concept. While the 16X is capable of producing 350-hp and 215 lb-ft of torque, Mazda will keep output around the 200-250 range in order to stick the price-tag close to $25,000.
That will allow Mazda to have a more fuel-efficient, yet sporty coupe to compete with Japan’s upcoming onslaught of rear-wheel-drive sports cars.
- By: Kap Shah
Source: Straightline
