The new engine is called the 16X 1.6L rotary making 280 bhp N/A (you can already find it on Mazda's website). Plans for the next Rx-7 are to have an electronically pre-spoolled single turbocharger. This would keep the turbo charger blades spinning @ half the speed of full boost during idle. Getting on the throttle halfway causes the the electric motor to go to 3/4 w/ gases finishing up and full throttle lets the exhaust gases take over completely. Estimated power after turbocharger addition (if cleared for production) is around 340bhp virtually lag free. Plans for the new 7 are to be released at the 2009 Tokyo auto show.

P.S............. if it looks like that I'll be upset, but I'll still lust after it. I'm hoping it continues to look like a beefier hardtop Miata as the old one kinda did in its time. Also, I hope it looks lighter than it does here, as that looks like all other heavy Japanese cars.