Rotaries may seem like a thing of the past these days, especially with Mazda preparing to retire the RX-8. But the Wankel-powered sports car won’t be the last Mazda to get the odd powerplant, thanks in part to a recent breakthrough.

A recently big step forward for Mazda’s engineers is a newly developed laser ignition system that can remove spark plugs from the equation. This has made sealing the Wankel’s combustion chamber easier, resulting in better efficiency and, more importantly, lower hydrocarbon emissions.

This breakthrough could prove to be the catalyst Mazda needs to rejuvenate the RX-7 model, but it all comes down to finding the proper funding.

That influx of cash could come from a partnership with Audi. The two automakers are reportedly in talks and Audi’s A1 e-tron concept did use a 254cc Wankel range-extender underneath the trunk floor. The light weight, smooth and quiet rotary technology could prove the perfect pairing for a future production hybrid drivetrain for Audi.

[Source: Inside Line]

After covering all the major tuner and manufacturer booths located inside the Makuhari Messe’s Convention Center, we decided to wander the Tokyo Auto Salon’s floor to see if we could spot anything that interested us. It didn’t take long before this Abflug “Pink Spider” FD3S Mazda RX-7 really caught our eye.

Easily considered extreme by some, this RX-7 is an example of quality workmanship. The paint job is magnificent and we really love the wheels. More respect has to be given to the owner for the immaculate engine bay. North America may not have seen much of Mazda’s FD3S chassis over the recent years, but in Japan they are still one of the most respected tuner vehicles around.

GALLERY: Abflug FD3S RX-7

When we last reported on a possible return of the RX-7 flagship sports car to Mazda’s lineup it was after the company’s head of design, Ikua Maeda, spoke about his efforts to get the project started. Maeda even said he had gone so far as to sketch some preliminary drawings to show company execs.

Now we hear that the plans are progressing beyond the car’s design and to the all-important powerplant stage. The new RX-7 would use the Renesis 16X rotary engine, as found in the Taiki concept car (pictured above) that was shown back in 2007.

Displacing 1.6-liters, the turbocharged engine would make more than 300-hp, meaning that this RX-7 would be more in line with the original high-powered RX-7 sports cars than with the more pedestrian RX-8.

A report in the U.K.’s AutoExpress says that the RX-7 would replace the RX-8 in Mazda’s lineup, a move which does seem strange as the high-powered RX-7 would most likely be a more expensive vehicle, meaning the car would be sold in much more limited volume. We find it hard to believe Mazda would give up on segment of the market that it does so well in, although, with car’s like the S2000 gone and the 370Z moving more up-market, perhaps Mazda has made the decision to do the same.

If the new RX-7 does make its way into production it is likely to succeed the RX-8 in 2011.

[Source: AutoExpress]

Mazda’s design boss is working hard to convince company executives to build a successor to the RX-7. He has even gone so far as to create design sketches for the next generation sports car.

In an interview wit the U.K.’s AutoCar, Ikuo Maeda said that the car would be a two-seater and like it’s predecessors, it would be powered by a rotary engine.

Mazda has been without a halo car since the third generation vehicle ceased production in 2002. The RX-8 was brought to market shortly thereafter, but as a significantly more pedestrian sports car.

AutoCar suggests that if Madea is successful we should expect a concept next year. Much like the rest of Mazda’s lineup it will probably have a more progressive design – hopefully along the lines of the Furai concept, pictured above.

[Source: Autocar]