I've been hearing rumors that mazda may be bringing back the RX7 as a 2 door, possibly supercharged version of the RX8. Anyone heard anything else, or have any links to some tidbits?

 

I dont know but I think this is part of an influx of internet rumors to pop up lately.

Another popular one is that Nissan is going to re-release some twin turbo Z-32 (Fairlady) 300Zs. Becasue while many people like the 350, the older Z enthusiast especially Z32 guys tend not too.

Both of these woild be cool, but I doubt either of them. I guess the RX-7 one is more feasable.

 

Yah, I had also heard rumors of a new 3000GT, but that one seemed the least likely to me.

 

That'd be pretty sweet. My buddy has the AWD version from '97. He's got around 400 horsepower in it, and he's just bought two new turbos to replace the old ones. Nice car, except for the weight.

 

I haven't been keeping up on upcoming Japaneese cars much. I can tell you that the next version of the GT-R Skyline will be sold here in Infinity dealerships, and Toyota is bringing out a high performance RWD sports car.

As for the RX7, I've heard that it's in the works, but that info comes from the internet, so I don't know how credible it is.

Beyond what's happening here in the US and what's being done over in Australia, my knowledge of what vehicles are coming down the line & what's being developed is pretty pathethic.

 

I always thought the new RX-8 was the replacement/next gen RX-7

 

Considering how close to bankruptcy Mitsu is, I'd say a new 3000gt is about as likely as flying pigs, lol.

 

I've heard from a couple people that the 300gt was coming back, buy yeah, I'd probably expect to see the pigs first too.

 

I thought that the Skyline wasn't going to come over after all?

 

No, it was never intended as a replacement for the RX-7. As the RX-8 was being introduced, Mazda's official word was that it was considering building a new RX-7 on the RX-8 platform, depending on how that model did saleswise. I don't think the '8 has done well enough to justify a new RX-7 for them

Unfortunately the RX-8 manages to get extremely poor fuel economy while not being exactly speedy. Who wants a 14.5-15.0 sec. car that gets 20mpg? It may be slow, but it sure is thirsty! I still think it is way cooler than the 350Z(X) pig.

 

Yah, unfortunately the US version of the RX8 has significantly less power than it's over-seas brethren, and is indeed very gas hungry.

It does, however, handle really really well. There's an RX8 being run in the stock class at the local auto-x meets that is beating 350Zs and some of the modified vettes.

If they came out with a 2 door, 2 seat version of the RX8, with a turbocharged rotary, it could end up being a very exciting car. The RX8 is already below 3,000 lbs, take out 2 doors and 2 seats, up the HP and

 

On the contrary.

Assuming you are talking about the GT-R replacement (the regular Nissan Skyline has been sold here for some time as the Infinity G35 coupe & sedan), it will have a different body than regular Skylines this time & will be sold world wide to cover the cost.


Mitsubishi is in a world of hurt right now. The Australian government has now also refused to fork over additional cash to Mitsubishi. They had a Ste. Therese type of agreement with Mitsu to produce cars and maintain jobs in exchange for government cash. Seems Mitsu went back for additional cash & was rejected.

If Mitsubishi's parent company or the Japaneese government don't raise the cash to bail it out I doubt they'll be around more than another year or so. At least not as an independent company.

Like Dan said, the RX8 was never planned as an RX7 replacement. It's that Mazda names all their rotary cars with the prefix of "RX".

Yep, there was an RX3 (a economy sedan), an RX4 (a coupe & sedan), an RX5 (called the Mazda Cosmos in Japan), an RX6, the RX7 (the car in question), and now the latest rotary powered body style, the RX8.

 

Those Vette drivers must suck at life , the C5 is as just about as light and has waaaay more torque and better skidpad #'s. (maybe they are 1st/2nd gen Vettes?)

 

I've heard that Proton are going to move into the Australian Mitsubishi plant..

 

That's very possible The RX8 is only about 100lbs lighter, but, more power isn't always a good thing on a small auto-x course. In fact, there's now 1 less Z06 on the road as the result of the last local auto-x

I think skidpad numbers between the 2 are pretty dang close to equal, with the RX8 running MUCH skinnier tires stock. The perfect 50/50 weight distribution on the RX8 is cool, although I know the corvette is pretty dang close to a 50/50.