Next-generation Mazda RX-7 will use a 300-hp rotary engine

A 2 stroke wankel? Can please someone explain that to me please?

It is misleading to call it a two stroke, or a four stroke for that matter. It's neither.

Give it up Mazda, Rotaries are horrible engines. There's a reason why thier isn't any other car brand that does rotaries.

300HP really seems low

depends on how heavy the car is. The old RX-7 turbo "only" had 255hp, but because it weighed so much less was as fast or faster (and a better handler) than the more powerful 300ZX, 3000GT VR4, and Supra Turbo it was competing with. It's like the old saying, "adding power makes you faster in the straights. Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."

While 300hp is plenty I think they will need 350 or high 300's to capture attention. The name RX-7 alone will turn heads already. With a properly fast rotary it will be tradition.

"this without having the same fuel consumption as the Bugatti Veyron"

lol boo, I was wondering how much of a gain their direct injection tests have been able to pull off.

Rotaries and 2-strokes have quite a bit in common. For starters they both have lubrication issues. They also rev to very high rpm, and they also suffer from poor emissions, when compared to their 4-stroke cousins. I know guys with RX-7s that add a bit of 2-stroke oil to their tanks in order to help with the ubiquitous lubrication problems that the RX-7 is known for. Remember that the engine in the RX is a 1.3L and 300hp is quite a bit when you take that into account.

@fatandsassy

And what do you drive? 300bhp should be enough to smoke all the cars in its class if they keep the weight low enough!

@fatandsassy

You're right. 300 HP seems kind of low, especially now that any number of V-6 engines put out that kind of horsepower, like the base V-6 engine in the new Mustang, for example.

However, the real problem with the RX-8 and RX-7 has never really been with a lack of horsepower, but with a lack of torque. You really have to rev the hell out of them to get them moving. Let's hope they can get it right with the new model.

If it comes out around $30k, watch out 370Z!

All good points. I had an RX8. It handled great but it's fuel an oil consumption were not great. Fuel consumption did improve slightly when I installed an intake from Racing Beat.It was also a pain to replace the oil because of the oil location. The big issue I had with my RX8 was the 4 times I had to go back to the dealer to get the ECU reprogrammed(all covered under warranty) and getting both tail lights resealed(problem with moisture and having them fog up.I find this surprising in a Japanese car. My current 2006 Mini Cooper S has been trouble free.I think a 300 horspower RX7 will have sufficient performance due to the fact that Mazda is committed to making it's entire product line 10% lighter(I believe). The RX8 would do 0-60 in roughly 6.5 seconds(depending on the auto publication). You have to figure that 300 HP and significantly better torque(RX8 only had 155LBS of torque)with 10% less weight will yield dramatically improved acceleration.If Mazda gets the weight down to say 2800 LBS and the torque rating goes up to say 215 LBS I thing you've got a sub 5 second run to 60 without to much trouble (with proper gearing). Remember too that the car will most likely rev to 9000 RPM.

If Mazda manage to make a Diesel Powered Rotary Engine i suspect they will be in a fantastic position to make serious profits.

One Category a Rotary Engine Totally Trounces a traditional Piston Engine in is Refinement.

When you drive the RX7 / RX8 you find it hard to believe it is powered by the same liquid that powers other vehicles, So smooth is the engine.

Now The only 2 drawbacks to current Diesel Engines is Low Rev Limits and Lack of Refinement.

Diesel Rotary Engine will solve both of those in one sweep.