Mazda has been teasing a car inspired by the RX-7 since 2023. Fans of the rotary engine sports car have been watching and waiting, and a UK source is now saying it could happen. “Could” is the keyword.
Swift Performance and Deft Handling
The RX-7 coupe launched in 1978 with a rotary engine as “the most interesting and efficient way to achieve the swift performance and deft handling it wanted,” according to Mazda. It was inspired by the Lotus Elan, another 2-door coupe known for its performance and slender design. Rotary engines are smaller and lighter, making them (in theory) a logical choice for sports cars. There were three iterations of the RX-7, all powered by rotary engines.
Iconic SP Concept
When Mazda unveiled its Iconic SP concept car in 2023, it resembled a next-generation RX-7 with its pop-up headlights and elongated curves. The concept also featured a rotary engine.
There have been few updates about this car in the last three years. However, the UK’s Auto Express recently reported that the project isn’t dead. In an interview with Moritz Oswald, Mazda’s product planning supervisor in Europe, Oswald said, “Everybody loves cars, so of course there is a deep desire to keep on launching emotional products. So are we looking into that? Yes, of course. But again, we are also a company that has to bring in revenues.” Oswald added that the point of showing concept cars like the Iconic SP is to get a feel for how they resonate and see what opportunities might exist.
The Future of the RX-7
So far, there is no timeline for the production of this cult classic, or if it will resurface at all. Deputy general manager of R&D Mazda Europe, Christian Schultze, explained to Auto Express that Mazda “stands for cars for ordinary people” and that “making a sports car that is for everybody is a real challenge.”
When it comes to the future of the RX-7, only time will tell.
