After 9 Years Of Promising, Mazda Is Shelving The Rotary RX-7 Successor, But That Doesn't Mean We Won't Get A Flagship Performance Car

It was back in 2016 when Mazda started propping us up for a next-generation flagship sports car. The Mazda RX Vision Concept was something to behold, with sleek lines and the classic proportions of a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive sports car. In October 2023, Mazda teased us yet again, with the Iconic SP Concept - another striking example of the Japanese brand’s signature, Kodo design philosophy. 

In the meantime, rumors circulated and patents for a rotary-hybrid powertrain were filed by Mazda, but it seems it will not come to fruition. That said, there is still hope for a performance flagship model with a more conventional powertrain, and it may involve another Japanese carmaker.

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In a recent interview, Mazda’s Chief Technology Officer, Ryuichi Umeshita, recently admitted that the company is struggling to financially justify production of the rotary-powered Iconic SP, despite patents for a Mazda rotary-powered hybrid sports car being filed. “The only outstanding issue is financial.", Umeshita said.

The concept model debuted as an EV with a rotary engine serving as a power generator (similar to the Mazda MX-30 SUV), with the production variant meant to use a rotary engine alongside three electric motors, for a combined output of over 360 horsepower.

Issues with emissions

Rotary engines are full of character and deliver a unique driving experience, but this comes at a cost. The previous iterations of the engine aren’t known for reliability or fuel efficiency. Mazda, reportedly, spent years attempting to go around the issue while covering the ever-strict emissions regulations. It seems the company decided to cut its losses and focus on more conventional powertrains. 

Related story: Mazda's Future Cars Will Absorb And Recycle Their Own Emissions Through An Ingenious New Process That Will Safeguard The Future Of Internal Combustion Engines

But there is still a light at the end of the tunnel

Not to get your hopes up, but Mazda is still considering a rear-wheel-drive sedan, and it is a lot more likely to happen than a flagship sports car. The small Japanese carmaker already has one successful sports car, in the MX-5 Miata, which is also getting an interesting new engine, so giving us a “bigger Miata” won’t be the wisest move forward. Instead of focusing on another niche model, the company’s Large Product Group program manager said that a rear-wheel-drive Mazda 6 is still in the pipeline, but demand for sedans needs to go up before the company commits. 

“Personally, a FR [front-engined, rear-wheel drive] sedan would be a good dream for everyone. Journalists always tell me that you should make a sedan, but the marketplace is so small. So if...the people start to buy that kind of vehicle, then that will let us make that vehicle.", said Kohei Shibata in a 2024 interview with Australia’s Drive magazine. 

The situation with Mazda's inline-six engine

Interestingly enough, Mazda has a potent new engine that may serve well in performance applications, and Toyota could be involved in making the engine better suited for such uses. Mazda also has the LPG (Large Product Group) rear-wheel-drive-biased platform used in the company’s larger SUVs (CX-60, CX-70, CX-80, and CX-90). 

Adapting it for a sedan body style would be easy. The 3.3-liter turbocharged, Skyactiv-G unit serves well in Mazda’s larger SUVs, where it makes up to 340 horsepower at 5,000 RPM and 369 pound-feet at 2,000 RPM. 

Earlier this year, we learned that Toyota is eyeing Mazda’s inline-six engine for potential use in the next-generation Toyota GR Supra. This contradicts an earlier report that the sixth-generation Supra will be using Toyota’s new G20E turbo-four engine in a hybrid setup. 

If Toyota were to adopt Mazda’s inline-six, it would likely tweak it for improved performance. Currently, the 3.3-liter engine makes less power than the B58 Supra, so it won’t be competitive in its current state, unless paired with an electric motor (or two).

To sum it up

Mazda’s RX-7 successor has not been officially announced yet. A rear-wheel-drive Mazda 6 may still happen, provided more people start buying sedans again, instead of SUVs. The crown jewel in Mazda’s current lineup will continue to be the Mazda MX-5 Miata, but with a few major changes for the upcoming model. Given Toyota’s recent moves to make all its exciting models in-house, it is unlikely (but not totally impossible) that the next-generation Toyota Supra will feature Mazda’s inline-six.

What are your thoughts on Mazda and the possibility of a sportier Mazda 6? Would you buy one or would you go for one of the brand’s SUV models? Personally, I would love a rear-wheel-drive Mazda 6 and a flagship sports car featuring an inline-six, but do share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Image source: Mazda Concept Cars, Mazda RX-Vision, Mazda Iconic SP Concept

More Mazda stories: 

• Mazda's Groundbreaking, 1980s Coupe That Could Have Changed Performance Cars For Good
• Should Mazda Make A Larger, More Powerful Miata?
• The Better Mazda Miata That Never Was - Daihatsu X-021
• They Tried To Sell Me A Mazda 6 Turbo That Turned Out To Have The Normally-Aspirated Engine, So I Backed Away

Dimitar Angelov's automotive interests made him an expert in a wide variety of vehicles. Japanese brands like Toyota and Nissan are closest to his heart, although performance cars in general are his favorite segment, which is why he is constantly on the lookout for the best deals on the market. Dimitar Angelov's car passion and knack for the written word led him to complete a Master of Arts in Media and Communications, and classic car restoration. Dim is happy to get behind the wheel of any car and share his impressions. You can follow Dimitar on X, Linked-in, Instagram, and Facebook.