MAZDA IS CONSIDERING bringing its RX-7 sportscar back to life, according to Britain’s Autocar, with design boss Ikuo Maeda pushing to make it happen.

Rumours of a reborn RX-7 have circulated for years and Mazda has recently been experimenting with dedicated sports concepts (such as the Furai, above). This news however marks the first time a Mazda official has hinted at an actual project.

Speaking with Autocar in the lead-up to this week’s Tokyo Motor Show, Maeda said the carmaker is eager to return to the high-powered sportscar segment and that he has already begun designing a new RX-7.

“We really want to have an RX-7 and if the market allows us to build it we will have it ready,” Mr Maeda said.

Maeda said that a new RX-7 would likely stick with a two-seat layout, and, like its forebears, draw power from a rotary engine. No mention was made of forced induction.

Power is likely to come from the next generation Renesis 16X that powers the Taiki concept, featuring a 1.6 litre capacity, direct injection, aluminium side housings and a longer stroke.

[autocar]