Latest news with #RX7
Forbes
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Forbes
Fast And Furious Mazda RX-7 Sells For Record $1.2 Million At Auction
The RX-7 Veilside Fortune fetched $1.2M. Since the first Fast and Furious movie landed in theaters in 2001, titled simply 'The Fast and The Furious,' the money-making franchise has generated a combined total of over $7.2 billion. That makes this 11 movie franchise (so far) one of the most popular, biggest earning and most successful in history. So it stands to reason that the cars appearing in these action flicks might generate intense interest and some serious coin as well. How about over seven figures? The RX-7 fetched twice the previous record of $550,000 Last weekend at Bonham's Goodwood auction in Sussex, England, the heavily modified 1992 Mazda RX-7 (with a Veilside Fortune body kit) from 'The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift' saw the hammer come down on a winning bid of more than $1.2 million. That is a record for a Mazda road car and is twice the $550,000 paid for the previous record-setter for the 1994 Toyota Supra driven by Paul Walker in the first Fast and Furious movie. The RX-7 starred in Tokyo Drift Interesting, however, it's not the most expensive movie car. A blue Nissan Skyline GT-R R34, driven by Paul Walker in Fast and Furious 4, sold at a Bonhams' auction in 2023 for $1.3 million. The fact that a car from Tokyo Drift, which was actually the worst performing of all Fast and Furious flicks, with a record-low box office of $157 million, should reach such a high price just goes to show that the third movie in the franchise has some hardcore deep pocketed fans. Even though it barely features the two original lead characters and has a lackluster script, in the flick's defense, there is some superb stunt work and cinematography and the combination of cars—including a Nissan Silvia, a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX, a Nissan 350Z, a Mazda RX-8 and a Ford Mustang Fastback—is one of the best in the whole franchise. Justin Lin, Director, Nathalie Kelley, Keiko Kitagawa and Keiichi Tsuchiya (Photo by Nathan ... More Shanahan/FilmMagic) But even though Tokyo Drift may not have been as big a hit as all the others, the cars in this installment are hugely impressionable and hard to forget. Just about any casual fan would recognize the RX-7's black-and-orange paintwork as the hero car driven by actor Sung Kang's character Han Lue in Tokyo Drift, and as one of only two said to have survived filming, it crossed the finish line just past the seven-figure mark. Japanese customizer Veilside is well-known in motoring circles for its aerodynamic kits, and the brand has become part of the Fast and Furious landscape. This modded-out RX-7 dons the company's Fortune widebody body kit, which added nearly seven inches of width, in addition to a huge rear spoiler and massive side vents. Apparently the reason it survived in such pristine condition is because this RX-7 was almost exclusively used for still shots and driven sparingly.
Auto Blog
25-06-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Mazda RX-7 Successor And Next Miata Spell Trouble For Toyota's GR Division
Mazda's two new sports cars will compete in different segments Mazda has a rich history of producing compact, fun-to-drive sports cars. Rarely have they been overpowered; instead, the Japanese marque has a knack for crafting sporty cars that emphasize balance and feel. At the moment, the only modern sports car upholding this legacy is the MX-5 Miata ND, but not for much longer. The latest reports suggest that an RX-7 successor and an all-new Miata will add new, exciting chapters to Mazda's sports car legacy, but one is set to arrive some time before the other. Mazda RX-7 Successor In Spirit, If Not In Name Source: Mazda The beautiful Iconic SP concept shown by Mazda in 2023 will be the basis for what has been dubbed an RX-7 successor, and according to Motor Trend, this rotary-engine sports car is nearly complete. This confirms an earlier report from April that Mazda has made tremendous progress in making the rotary powertrain suitable for production in an era where emissions regulations are much stricter. 'You can expect Iconic SP will be a good successor for RX-7,' said Ryuichi Umeshita, Mazda's Chief Technical Officer. The production sports car is expected to feature an electric motor supported by a dual-rotor rotary engine; the latter will act as a generator, so the sports car won't have issues with range. It should produce around 365 horsepower, but more importantly, Mazda has ensured it can meet emissions regulations. With that sort of power, we can expect a fiery battle with the next Toyota GR Supra. Mazda Iconic SP — Source: Mazda A potential second powertrain option will be of even greater interest to enthusiasts. This one will use the rotary engine as the primary power source, where it will actually power the wheels, not merely act as a generator. Umeshita would not confirm the name of the new sports car, but didn't deny the RX-7 or RX-9 names could be used. When speaking about other sports car names from Mazda's past, he said: 'There is very little possibility that we will name it Cosmo.' The sporty Cosmo was primarily sold in other markets between 1967 and 1996, with the most recent one being the flagship Mazda in Japan. It's likely the brand wants to reserve the Cosmo's legacy and not simply slap the name onto something much newer and sportier. All-New MX-5 Still A Few Years Away 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata – ND — Source: Mazda Whereas the production version of the Iconic SP could arrive around 2027, the next MX-5 is further away. It will still be a small, nimble roadster with a manual gearbox and a gas engine, likely based on the new Skyactiv-Z engine Mazda is working on, said to be ready in 2027. Importantly, the Iconic SP and Miata will be separate cars, with Umeshita clarifying that the former won't cannibalize MX-5 sales. The production Iconic SP will be a larger, more expensive model than the Miata, especially because of its electrified powertrain and use of the more complex rotary engine. Now all we need is for the MazdaSpeed 3 to make a comeback, too, which would mean the brand would have a full lineup of performance cars to take on Toyota's GR division. About the Author Karl Furlong View Profile
Motor Trend
23-06-2025
- Automotive
- Motor Trend
Mazda's Rotary-Engine RX-7 Successor Almost Ready, But Next Miata's a Few Years Away
At Mazda, the desire for a Mazda RX-7 successor is there. The Iconic SP concept is the blueprint, too, and a next-generation rotary engine is almost technically complete. The business case for the revived RX-7 sports car just needs to fall into place, a final factor made even more challenging in today's tariff-striven global economy. Mazda plans a successor to the RX-7, based on the Iconic SP sports car concept, featuring a range-extender hybrid with a rotary engine. It's larger than the Miata, which will continue with internal combustion engines. Both cars aim to preserve Mazda's sports car spirit. This summary was generated by AI using content from this MotorTrend article Read Next The Mazda Iconic SP sports car concept was first shown at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show. The two-seater in Viola Red with 2+2 interior space was promised as a production car, similar in design, in the next few years. Masashi Nakayama, general manager of Mazda's Design Division, calls the Iconic SP a pure sports car with its long nose and Coke-bottle shape with wide haunches. It is not a replacement for the Mazda MX-5. It is larger than the Miata. 'You can expect Iconic SP will be a good successor for RX-7,' Mazda Chief Technical Officer Ryuichi Umeshita tells MotorTrend . Different Sports Cars, Different Powertrains While the Miata will continue to use an internal combustion engine, the Iconic SP was shown as having a range-extender hybrid with an electric motor and a dual-rotor rotary engine acting as generator. Output would be about 365 horsepower. The engine is a more powerful and emissions-compliant version of the rotary engine that made its revival as a range extender in the 2023 Mazda MX-30. The MX-30 was not offered in the U.S. because its rotary engine did not meet emissions regulations. But the new, more powerful rotary engine in development will, Umeshita says. And the sports car, conceptually, would be offered with a second powertrain option: with the rotary engine as the primary source of propulsion. A pure EV is possible but not planned. Rotary engines are part of the soul of the company and commercializing that has never stopped, says Mazda Chief Financial Officer Jeff Guyton. The company now recognizes the geometry of the engine and how it works; capable of combusting oxygen, hydrogen and other fuels in an engine that is lightweight, compact and powerful. The powertrain in the MX-30 was an initial attempt but not fuel efficient enough. Together, the Miata—apparently sticking around—and the production version of the larger Iconic SP would offer two sizes of sports car for the enthusiast. What to Call Mazda's New Sports Car As for the name, the expectation is it will honor the RX-7. Maybe RX-9? Umeshita won't confirm. He says the name is not a successor to an existing model. It could be a name from the past, or it could be a unique new nameplate. One thing it will not be: 'There is very little possibility that we will name it Cosmo,' in reference to the brand's long line of upscale sports coupes by that name sold overseas. He softens when asked about RX-7 or RX-9 but says final decisions have not been made. Mazda has a dedicated rotary engine development group with engineers who worked on the RX-7 and RX-8. Fans have called for a RX-8 successor, itself a somewhat oddly laid-out (but rotary powered) RX-7 replacement from the early 2000s. And Mazda President and CEO Masahiro Moro says he would love to bring back the RX-7 with a rotary engine. Like the Miata, which sold 27,669 units globally last year, the production version of the Iconic SP will be a low-volume vehicle. Umeshita thinks the additional sports car will complement, not cannibalize, MX-5 sales. Umeshita would not say when we will see the production model or when it will launch. Technically, the next-generation rotary engine will be ready soon, but not this calendar year, and it will pass U.S. regulations, he says. Initial talk was that it could go into production as early as 2026 but timing is also dependent on a viable business case. Mazda will introduce its first homegrown pure EV in 2027, using a new platform that is flexible enough to accommodate all powertrains, including hybrids, plug-in hybrids, extended-range hybrids, and battery electric vehicles. Mazda has a partnership with Panasonic for cylindrical battery cells, but the platform is flexible enough to use any type and size of battery, including solid state, in the future, Umeshita says. Mazda's EV strategy is to be an 'intentional follower.' What About the Fifth-Generation Mazda MX-5 Miata? Meanwhile, work continues on a fifth-generation Miata, but it is still a few years out. Designer Nakayama says the size and likeness won't change, but he wants to update everything else to keep its status as an iconic, affordable and lightweight sports car that appeals to all ages and income levels. Its core values won't change, but it will adopt aspects of the Iconic SP concept which is Mazda's design language of the future. The MX-5 must continue to have a gas engine to keep it lightweight and affordable. Mazda is working on the Skyactive Z—"Z" is for ultimate—gas engine, due in 2027 that will meet regulations while maintaining current power output. That is the breakthrough, the engineer says. And the Miata will still be offered with a manual transmission because the MX-5 is the 'ultimate example of Jinba Ittai' which refers to the oneness of the car and driver, Umeshita says. To be ultimate the car must be light, with a naturally aspirated engine and manual transmission. Restoring First-Generation Mazda MX-5s Because of its iconic nature, Mazda created a classic car restoration area at its Hiroshima headquarters in 2017 to restore MX-5s. Japan does not have a rich culture of taking care of older vehicles but Mazda hopes restoring Miatas will help this culture take root. Initially the automaker is only restoring first-generation MX-5s with the 1.6-liter naturally aspirated engine and manual transmission. Mazda buys used engines and rebuilds them. About 16 restorations have been completed so far. The company is studying whether to start restoring third-generation RX-7s. Factored into the decision is whether they can get parts.
