Mazda may be preparing to bring back one of its most legendary nameplates. A newly uncovered design registration filed with the Japanese patent office has enthusiasts buzzing, with many believing it could point to a modern-day successor to the iconic Mazda RX-7. The sketches reveal a low-slung coupe with muscular proportions, flowing lines, and a silhouette that feels unmistakably tied to Mazda’s rotary-powered past.
- Founded
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1920
- Founder
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Jujiro Matsuda
- Headquarters
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Fuchū, Aki, Hiroshima, Japan
- Current CEO
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Akira Marumoto
- Status
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Active
- Total Vehicles Sold In 2022
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332,756
A Modern Take On A Mazda Legend
The Mazda RX-7 has long been a fan favorite, cementing its place in car culture as a lightweight, high-revving weirdo that perfectly balanced style and performance. Its unique rotary engine sets it apart from rivals like the Toyota Supra and Nissan Z, and its timeless design still turns heads today. If these design filings are anything more than a legal safeguard, Mazda could be readying a modern sports car to rekindle that magic for a new generation of enthusiasts.
Mazda has been vocal about wanting to add more performance and excitement to its lineup, especially as it tries to stand out in a crowded crossover-heavy market. At the same time, the company has hinted at rotary technology making a comeback, albeit in a new role as a hybrid range-extender. That tech could pave the way for a sports car that blends tradition with modern electrification, giving Mazda a unique halo car that bridges its past and future.
A revival of the RX-7 would also put Mazda back in the conversation with Toyota’s reborn Supra and Nissan’s new Z. The Japanese sports car market is slowly coming back to life, and Mazda could seize the opportunity to re-establish its performance credentials. Until now, these AI-generated dream pics of what could be – are going to have to be enough.
Patent Filing Doesn’t Guarantee Production
Of course, it’s worth remembering that not every design registration makes it to production. Automakers frequently file patents to protect concepts or design language that may never see the light of day. Still, the styling in this filing seems far too evocative to dismiss—it’s a coupe that looks like it belongs in the RX family.
For now, Mazda has remained silent on the matter, offering no official word on whether a new RX-7 successor is actually in the works. Enthusiasts, however, are already dissecting every curve and line of the design sketches, hoping this is more than just corporate housekeeping.
TopSpeed’s Take
If Mazda does move forward, this could be the most exciting sports car comeback since Toyota revived the Supra (which did fall a little flat). A modern RX-7 successor would not only honor one of the most beloved Japanese performance cars of all time, but also show that Mazda is serious about delivering driving excitement in an era increasingly dominated by crossovers and EVs.
Until Mazda makes it official, fans can only dream—but based on these filings, the dream feels closer than ever.