According to the Japanese outlet, Mazda is developing a new front-engine, rear-wheel-drive sports car, as a potential spiritual successor to the

Mazda, meanwhile, doesn't even make a sports car larger than the MX-5 any more. Both of those things could be changing soon, and a wild new rumor suggests that the related cars will both use the same inline-six engine.

For reference, Mazda’s last sports car hero model, the RX-8 discontinued in 2012, produced 170kW/211Nm from its 1.3-litre rotary engine, while the older RX-7 made use for a twin-turbocharged engine to produce up to 195kW/294Nm in factory form.

Rumor has it that Toyota may get the rights to use Mazda's turbocharged gasoline inline-six in the next-gen Supra. According to Japan's automotive publication, BestCar,Mazda is supposedly prepping to use its latest all-new inline-six in its up-and-coming RX successor,

According to a report from Japan's Best Car, Mazda is abandoning its plans to revive the rotary yet again, but without abandoning plans for a sports car that would still be meant to fill the place once occupied by the RX-7.