Mazda RX Successor Gone To The Big Junkyard In The Sky(activ)

Derek Kreindler
by Derek Kreindler

What you’re seeing above isn’t the rendered visage of the next Mazda rotary sports car, but the leaked fascia of the new CX-5 crossover. Better get used to it.

In an interview with Automotive News, Mazda CEO Masamichi Kogai shot down the idea of a revived RX-7, RX-8 or RX-anything, stating

“We don’t have that kind of vehicle in our future product plan…If you increase the number of segments, then the resources we can allocate to each will decline and that will prevent us from developing truly good products.The company is still in the process of improving its financial structure. We want to focus our limited resources on the Skyactiv products that we have today.”

For a small, independent auto maker with limited resources, this is a sound decision. At any given auto maker, there are finite funds that must be allocated across the company for different aspects of new model development (design, engineering, marketing, manufacturing, regulatory concerns, parts, service, retail etc). For an outfit like Mazda, these are best spent on volume models like the CX-5, Mazda 3 and the upcoming CX-3 crossover. All of the “fun” money was likely poured into the next MX-5, which uses a bespoke architecture that cannot be amortized via other models in the Mazda lineup.


Derek Kreindler
Derek Kreindler

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  • RHD RHD on Nov 11, 2014

    Back to the premise of the article, i.e. the front of the new Mazdas: Why in the world did they create, then approve, such overuse of black eyeliner and mascara around the headlights? It looks like a 14-year-old experimenting with her older sister's Goth makeup collection. (Get with it, Mazda, cars should look like CARS, not cartoon characters or anime-inspired animals!)

  • Ccode81 Ccode81 on Nov 11, 2014

    In the past topic of closed Japanese market suspect, someone tried to find hidden chicken tax by comparing local price of mazda speed 3 and golf GTI. I have a feeling Mazda couldn't place the mazda speed 3 as a sport image leader or price it at profitable range while halo car RX-8 was still offered for Japan, although they halt the export. as long as Mazda is at current market place, even offering RX, it may not dream to plan a car with price higher than USD 35k and thus output more than 300hp. That kind of car existence will again squeeze place for higher performance version of 3 or 6, which may be a more promising money maker.

    • Drewlssix Drewlssix on Nov 14, 2014

      That may well be the case when looking at volum shoppers but typical enthusiasts don't seem to cross shop such different cars as the speed3 miata and RX8. Whatever the pricing those that love the power of the ms3 want nothing to do with a gutless 8 and 8 lovers don't want the crass fwd antics of the 3.

  • CoastieLenn No idea why, but nothing about a 4Runner excites me post-2004. To me, they're peak "try-hard", even above the Wrangler and Gladiator.
  • AZFelix A well earned anniversary.Can they also attend to the Mach-E?
  • Jalop1991 The intermediate shaft and right front driveshaft may not be fully engaged due to suspected improper assembly by the supplier. Over time, partial engagement can cause damage to the intermediate shaft splines. Damaged shaft splines may result in unintended vehicle movement while in Park if the parking brake is not engagedGee, my Chrysler van automatically engages the parking brake when we put it in Park. Do you mean to tell me that the idjits at Kia, and the idjit buyers, couldn't figure out wanting this in THEIR MOST EXPENSIVE VEHICLE????
  • Dukeisduke I've been waiting to see if they were going to do something special for the 60th Anniversary. I was four years old when the Mustang was introduced. I can remember that one of our neighbors bought a '65 coupe (they were all titled as '65 models, even the '64-1/2 cars), and it's the first one I can remember seeing. In the '90s I knew an older gentleman that owned a '64-1/2 model coupe with the 260 V8.
  • SCE to AUX "...the complete Mustang model lineup to peruse"Will the fake Mustang show up, too?
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