Rumors, Predictions, Speculation, and Lies - Coming Soon

subject:	Inside Line Gossip
author:	LA23S
date:	August 22, 2005 - 10:40pm

More gossip
this is from an older source than Todds and says the opposite.

Quote from Inside Line

The 3 MPS will debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September and will go on sale shortly after. Its aggressive styling affirms Mazda is quickly shaking off its fuddy-duddy image, helped by the RX-8 and MX-5 sports cars.

These are likely to be joined in future by a new version of the classic rotary-engined RX-7 two-door coupe. This would sit between the MX-5 and the RX-8 and be powered by the RX-8's powerful rotary engine. Mazda insiders maintain the car will be built, but it is still at least three years away.

What this means to you: Continuing the trend in North America, Mazda is attempting to boost its brand by shedding its dull skin and pumping more exciting models.

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subject:	Gossip from Mazda
author:	Todd
date:	August 18, 2005 - 2:46pm

Motor trend, September 2005, page 22. has the gossip about Mazda from Joe Bakaj (product development chief) and Dan Morris (Head of global sales and marketing). I won't plagiarize - but likehood of the RX-7 in the next 3 years --> 0%, and Dan describes the Mazda 6 heading in a new direction (which make me think the company is heading that way too.) I say rumors are rumors, and Mazda won't release another rotary powered vechile in the next 3 years, I would speculate 5-10 years when they have long term data/reviews from the renesis now, and only if they have hybrids ready for the engine.

I want to be wrong though.

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subject:	Gossip
author:	LA23S
date:	August 19, 2005 - 3:30am

Again Todd,
That's very interesting.
Car manufacturers are famous for playing their cards close to their chest as they are in a competitive environment. I've seen it countless times, them say they wont and in twelve months they do, bit like our politicians. When the climate suites they move.
The new direction for Mazda6 is probably the MPS, which is again sticking with the Zoom - Zoom image.
I do think it a bit pesimistic a projection of up to ten years wait for another rotary powered vehicle, though a valid point being some hiccups with autos in RX8. The Manual is the most popular out here so that hiccup is not widely known about.
The RX8 Hybrid is well underway as far as I can tell, your right it will probably take a priority in development as Mazda maybe seen as playing catchup with Honda and Toyota in that field.
Mazda seems to have carved it's self a niche in the market at last via the Zoom - Zoom campaign and quality of product and I can't see them letting that go while it is still working for them.
As a famous Australian once said " When you're on a good thing - Stick to it!"

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subject:	Rotary Predictions
author:	Todd
date:	August 17, 2005 - 6:54am

I think in the last issue of Motor Trend or Automobile (sorry I read this on the fly so I can't remember which one it was printed in)... Mazda is quoted "Even though the new RX-7 has been in development, We (Mazda) can't keep turning out new sports cars, other companies are eating are lunch" Appears the RX-8 will stay, but the company is heading in a new direction b/c of declining sales. My impression was they are going to scrap the Zoom-Zoom approach and look at reverting the sporty sedan(s) back to more traditional/bland sedans and stop putting so much effort into sport cars.

Just when I thought Mazda was finally going to have an idenity, they want to change it again. I think that is a bad move.

I also hear from a lot of the East coast delears they are having trouble moving the RX-8 the last 8 months (I was offered a 2005 for $10,000 off the invoice price), so will see how long she will last if that keeps up.

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subject:	I haven't read the article yo
author:	rotojock
date:	August 22, 2005 - 11:28am

I haven't read the article you're quoting, but I can't imagine Mazda heading in a direction toward more bland cars. And are Mazda sales declining? On their homepage they have just announced record profits and in some markets (Australia, f.ex.)supply cannot keep up with demand. I know that year-to-date sales of the RX-8 in Europe is down on last year from around 11000 to aroumd 8000, but I am sure the new MX-5 will again spark increased sales.

And no matter what the purists say: put a rotary in the MX-5!!

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subject:	Rotary Predictions
author:	LA23S
date:	August 17, 2005 - 8:39am

That's interesting Todd,

I thought Mazda made the conservative error in the '80's.
Mazda has taken this long to begin to recover from that image.
The Zoom - Zoom campaign has been a saviour to them.
I'm very surprised to hear popularity of the RX8 has dropped as demand here in Australia is still strong I believe.
It just doesn't make sense that a manufacturer could put so much effort into an engine that has now won countless awards, to only utilise it in the one vehicle!
The entry level wankel is a winner I'm sure. It does not have to be marketed as a sports car. The smoothness and unique power of the rotary would sell it just as it did in the '70's with RX4/5. It was the fuel consumption and crisis that killed it then. Economy has improved alot and is comparable to most average family cars if not better in some circumstances (SUV's).

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subject:	Rotary predictions
author:	Todd
date:	August 17, 2005 - 11:52am

Mazda has taken the conservative approach not only in '80s, but also in the mid to late 90's here in the states after rocky sales early in the decade. In my opinion, if it wasn't for the miata the company would have bought out completely or bankrupt by the mid 90's.

The Zoom-Zoom campaign finally gave the company an idenity, I was disheartened to read the comments myself. The comments didn't say they were getting rid of the campaign, but it does point that way. I will look for the Mag tonight and try a post where I saw the comments.

I agree, an entry level rotary does make sense to an enthusist like us. However, not to pitch in a sport car would take some doing. There are to many "rumors" on the internet, even on this web site, about troubles with flooding, and the realibilty of the engine when mated with an automatic transmission. If you don't have a sport car, you would place the engine in a car like the Mazda 3 or 6 - they have higher sales with automatic versions of the car, and customers that don't care what type engine is in the car,... if the engine is flooding b/c of customer don't take care for the engine, or any other issue with the rotary that would arise... it would be the companies fault, not the consumer. It would be devesating to Mazda. Anyways I love to see concept cars come out with the rotary in it, but I don't think they will be available to the public. I'll keep my fingers crossed, and hopefully Mazda will work out the current quirks with engine and fix them in time for Hydrogen/gas or Electric/gas rotary to become of age.

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subject:	Re: Entry level Rotary
author:	LA23S
date:	August 16, 2005 - 12:28pm

A member of another forum seems to think the whole concept is fantasy!
Here's an extract of his comments. I've cut the entire thing so I hope it's not out of context, and respect his anonymity.

This is not an offical concept, its just a bad chop..
Mazda has no plans of bringing back the Rx-3....
The only rotary we will see for 2007 is the Rx-7 concept.

A small rotary powered car would not be wise in this current state of high gas prices... this is why mazda is working on releasing hybrid cars not more gas guzzling rotaries....

I'd say I'm not the only one who hopes his wrong!

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subject:	RX-3
author:	rotarycrazy
date:	August 12, 2005 - 5:52am

If theres going to be a new RX-3 it is safe to asume that its going to be a 4 door version and a 2 door like the old one.
RX-7 as long as the price is under 40k, more than 300hp, 2750lbs, 1.1g.
this cars have been under development for a long time.

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subject:	New rotary model
author:	rotojock
date:	August 6, 2005 - 1:30pm

In the latest edition of German car mag MOT (27.07.05)it is reported that following the success of the RX-8 Mazda is readying a rotary-powered sedan and that the new RX-7 is on for 2007.

Any information on whether this will be an all new model or an existing car equipped with rotary power? I am dreaming of two-door coupe versions of the 3 and 6 sedans.

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subject:	My Bet for the small rotary -
author:	LA23S
date:	August 6, 2005 - 8:57am

My Bet for the small rotary - entry level - for want of a better description would be a rotary version of the sportif (Mazda3). There is already a 2.0 SP version that would probably be dropped in favor of the rotary powered model. The fact it is front wheel drive may be discounted as the Mazda6 will very soon have an all wheel drive sibbling known as MPS, so a rear wheel drive or even AWD is not beyond possibility.

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subject:	[quote=]DMRH wrote: Now tha
author:	LA23S
date:	August 4, 2005 - 5:51am

[quote=]DMRH wrote:
Now that its public, I think I can say that this RX-3 concept has been in the wings for over a year. Mazda officials from japan & USA told me about this car last year & said its part of a line up of 3-different rotary powered cars.

RX-3 will be an affordable entry level rotary car
RX-8 will continue to the series-II & series-III & beyond
???? will get a rotary option (finally) & make up the third RX powered car

[/quote]

There was an Official Announcement?
Have I missed something, it's always been just a rumour like RX7!

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