New Mazda RX-7???

Browsing the wonderful Site of Facebook this afternoon, an acquaintance within the Philadelphia Car Community posted a status.  No, this wasn't any usual status.  He wasn't complaining and he wasn't talking about Hurricane Sandy or power outages, or any of the other things that people in the area have been ranting about for the past couple of days.

No, this fellow was talking about THIS.

Proposed concept for 2013 "RX-9 Coupe" Source

Or maybe THIS.

FD3S Mazda RX-7 Source

WHATEVER, he was talking about the all-new, in-the-works project for Mazda-- a successor to the RX-7.  Yes, much to the dismay of the beloved RX-8 (or was it?), another successor will be taking its place.

However, this time, the new Mazda is rumored not to be turbocharged as the last FD3S model, which was the first RX-7 to come from Japan with a sequential, twin turbo system that Hitachi helped to design.  It is actually supposed to be naturally-aspirated!  Amazed?  Well get this, the new RX-7 is even supposed to meet European emissions standards, perhaps making it more likely to arrive in the US according to my judgement.  

A Hitachi Turbocharger Source

Mazda's "Sports Car Chief" (Source) also declared that the new motor is "capable of"  approximately 300 horsepower using an increased displacement of 1.6 liters from the new 16X Rotary to help fling out those exhaust gases using those little triangle things that Mazda loves so much.  Whether the motor actually produces 300 horsepower or not is beyond me, but the light chassis which is predicted to weigh approximately 2900 lbs should help in that department-- 300 horsepower or not!

Proposed release date is 2017, the 50th anniversary if the Cosmo.  ;)

16X Rotary Engine Concept from the Tokyo Auto Show Source

Stay tuned for the next installment of Lexi.laron and more news from the automotive and tuner industry!