The above image shows an illustration of what the next generation RX-7 could look like. A proper two-door coupe replacement for the much-missed Mazda RX-7 could make its appearance as early as 2011 as a 2012 model. The introduction of the two-seat RX-7 will lead to the death of the four-seat RX-8 with its 'suicide-style' rear doors, a feature which I finds rather unique among the sea of coupes.

Officially, the only piece of information that Mazda has released about its next generation RX model is the development of a new 1.6-liter (800cc per rotor) rotary engine called the 16X Renesis. Rumor has it that the new engine can produce up to 350 bhp. The company is also considering to follow the example of the first generation model by developing a less powerful two-seater with not so many fancy features with a lower price tag. In this lesser application, the Wankel would deliver around 200 to 250bhp, which shouldn't be a bad thing if Mazda manages to keep the rear-wheel drive coupe's weight down.

When the RX-8 made its unofficial debut in Singapore some 6 years ago through the parallel importers (PIs), it managed to find quite a number of owners with its killer looks and relatively affordable price tag. It was only after some time that Mazda Motors managed to bring in the car officially. But by that time, the PIs have already captured quite a substantial market share of the RX-7 sales. The RX-7 looks like a winner in the making and Mazda Motors should wisen up this time round.

Before this entry ends, I would like to share another rendering of this upcoming Mazda offering.