The Fast and Furious franchise has a storied legacy of turning modified cars into silver-screen legends, and now one of its most recognizable rides has just fetched a jaw-dropping price at auction. The 1992 Mazda RX-7 FD, featured in The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006), has sold for £911,000—or roughly $1.2 million—through Bonhams, marking one of the highest figures ever paid for a Japanese tuner car from the film series.
This particular RX-7 is believed to be one of only two surviving examples used during the filming of the franchise’s third installment. On screen, it was piloted by Sung Kang’s fan-favorite character Han, and though it was mostly used for static and close-up shots, its screen presence has etched it firmly into JDM and movie car history.
Built to impress, the RX-7 wears an aggressive VeilSide Fortune widebody kit, giving it a stance over 7.9 inches wider than a standard FD3S. Only the roof and tailgate remain from Mazda’s original design. Its pearlescent orange finish, paired with 19-inch Andrew Premier Series Racing Evolution 5 wheels wrapped in meaty Pirelli P Zero Nero tires (a massive 12 inches wide at the rear), makes the car instantly recognizable.
Closer inspection reveals its film roots, with remnants like “#71 HANS” stickers and mounting marks from camera rigs still visible. Despite being a showpiece on set, the RX-7 isn’t just for looks—it underwent a significant mechanical refresh before the auction. RE-Amemiya, a legendary name in the rotary tuning world, rebuilt the car’s twin-rotor turbocharged engine. Although the odometer reads 66,785 miles, it has clocked only 5,000 miles since the overhaul. That said, it has reportedly been sitting for a while, suggesting some recommissioning may be required before it’s back on the street or track.
The RX-7’s $1.2 million sale eclipses the price paid for Paul Walker’s orange 1994 Toyota Supra—another franchise icon—which brought in $550,000 in 2021. However, it still falls just short of the record set by Walker’s 2000 Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R, which sold for $1.35 million in 2023.
With the continued rise of nostalgia-fueled collector demand and the cultural cachet of the Fast franchise, this RX-7 proves that movie cars—especially those with the right mix of rarity, tuning pedigree, and emotional appeal—can command supercar-level prices.
Mazda’s best-selling model is entering a new era. The third-generation Mazda CX-5 has officially broken cover, bringing with it a host of meaningful updates aimed at enhancing everyday usability, boosting technology, and refining the driving experience—without compromising the soul that made the original such a global success.
Since its launch in 2012, the CX-5 has represented Mazda’s core values, being the first to fully embrace the brand’s Kodo – Soul of Motion design language and Skyactiv Technology. Over 4.7 million units later, the SUV remains central to the company’s identity. With the 2025 model, Mazda is sharpening the CX-5’s appeal for the modern family, while laying the groundwork for updates across its entire line-up.
More Room, More Convenience
The new CX-5 has grown—but not dramatically. It now measures 4690mm long, 1860mm wide, and 1695mm tall, with a wheelbase stretched by 115mm. This subtle change has unlocked noticeable gains in cabin space, particularly in the rear where shoulder, leg, and headroom have all improved. With families firmly in mind, Mazda has focused on real-world usability. Rear doors now open wider to ease the loading of child seats, while the tailgate lifts higher and the boot loading lip sits lower to improve access.
Boot space has jumped by 61 litres to 583 litres, overtaking the Honda CR-V and nearly matching the Kia Sportage, giving the CX-5 a stronger case in the ever-competitive midsize SUV segment.
A New Digital Heart
One of the biggest shifts in the new CX-5 is its thoroughly reworked infotainment setup. A 15.6-inch Google-powered touchscreen headlines the dashboard on higher trims (base models get a 12.9-inch version), replacing the long-standing physical rotary dial and climate controls. This marks a significant departure from Mazda’s traditional interior layout—but it’s a change driven by customer demand.
“The dial offered limited functionality,” said Christian Schultze, Mazda’s tech research boss. “It was good for volume and simple functions but was harder when more complex operations were called for.”
The new system is as connected as it is intuitive, offering full wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, integrated Google Maps, and support for media apps like Netflix and Amazon Prime—features that make waiting in the car more tolerable, especially for rear-seat passengers. Paired with a 10.25-inch digital driver display, the system brings the CX-5 firmly into the connected era.
With the removal of the dial, Mazda has also added a wireless charging pad and redesigned the center console for improved functionality. It’s all part of a broader vision, according to European design chief Jo Stenuit, who confirmed that this new layout and branding cues—including a refreshed typeface on the steering wheel and rear badge—will roll out across the Mazda portfolio.
Design That Moves
The exterior may not scream revolution, but it’s a clear evolution of Mazda’s Kodo design language. A longer nose and reshaped arches lend the CX-5 a more planted stance, drawing inspiration from the SP Concept shown in 2023. It’s more refined and mature, but still recognizably Mazda—athletic without being aggressive.
Under the Hood: Simpler, Smarter Powertrain
Gone is the array of petrol and diesel engines. Instead, Mazda has simplified the offering with a single hybridised powertrain: a 139 hp 2.5-litre e-Skyactiv G petrol engine, shared with the Mazda 3 and CX-30. This setup offers a balance of efficiency and performance suitable for the CX-5’s family-friendly mission. All-wheel drive remains on the menu for those needing extra traction.
To complement the new powertrain, steering and suspension tweaks have been applied to reduce driver fatigue over long journeys—a subtle nod to the brand’s “Jinba-Ittai” ethos, the harmony between car and driver.
An SUV for the Moment
Mazda calls the third-generation CX-5’s development concept “New Generation Emotional Daily Comfort”, a philosophy that blends emotional design, tactile quality, and everyday practicality. Whether it’s school runs, weekend getaways, or the daily commute, the new CX-5 aims to provide comfort, connection, and control.
With enhanced ADAS safety systems, a redesigned Human-Machine Interface, and a focus on quietness and ride comfort, the 2025 CX-5 isn’t just bigger—it’s smarter, friendlier, and better suited to modern family life.
Mazda’s reimagined SUV will arrive in European showrooms by the end of 2025, with global markets to follow in 2026. Pricing is expected to start around £30,000 (in the UK), keeping it aligned with the outgoing model despite the significant upgrades.
In a segment flooded with options, the 2025 CX-5 makes a strong case for itself—not by chasing trends, but by thoughtfully responding to what real drivers and families actually want.
It has been nearly two years since Mazda captured global attention with the reveal of the Iconic SP concept at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show. Draped in a striking Viola Red and sporting retro-futuristic curves reminiscent of the legendary RX-7, the coupe stirred up a storm of speculation: Was this the long-awaited successor to the Miata? Or perhaps something more powerful and spiritual—an RX-7 reborn?
As it turns out, Mazda has bigger plans than just redesigning its beloved MX-5. The Iconic SP is not the next Miata, but rather a rotary-powered sports car positioned above it, set to potentially revive the performance DNA of the RX-7 for a new era of enthusiasts.
Two Legends, Two Lanes
According to Mazda’s Chief Technical Officer Ryuichi Umeshita, the fifth-generation Miata is still on the way, and it will stay true to its roots: lightweight, affordable, naturally aspirated, and offered with a manual transmission. A future Skyactiv Z gas engine, compliant with stricter emissions rules, will ensure the MX-5 maintains its purity while embracing regulation-ready evolution. Even the design will subtly incorporate elements from the Iconic SP, blending heritage with the company’s future design language.
The Iconic SP, on the other hand, is shaping up to be a different beast entirely. Measuring 164.5 inches in length and riding on a 102-inch wheelbase, it’s significantly larger and wider than the Miata—hinting at grander ambitions. Mazda confirmed the Iconic SP will not wear the Cosmo badge, despite its rotary roots, but did suggest it could follow the lineage of the RX-7. A new name, possibly RX-9, is still under consideration.
The Heart of a Rotary
At the center of this revolution is Mazda’s new dual-rotor rotary engine, acting as a generator in the SP’s hybrid powertrain. Combined with an electric motor, the concept produces 365 horsepower, giving it more than enough muscle to fill the RX-7’s shoes. This rotary range-extender system is a more powerful, emissions-compliant successor to the unit originally found in the Mazda MX-30—which never made it to U.S. shores due to regulatory challenges.
Umeshita confirmed that the upcoming powertrain will meet U.S. emissions standards. More intriguingly, Mazda is exploring a version where the rotary engine drives the wheels directly, something we haven’t seen since the RX-8 ended production in 2012.
While a fully electric Iconic SP remains technically feasible, Mazda has ruled it out—for now. Instead, the company is focusing on refining rotary combustion technology to use not just gasoline, but also oxygen, hydrogen, and other alternative fuels, making the SP both futuristic and flexible.
A Business Case in the Making
Despite technological readiness, the biggest hurdle remains the business case. Mazda is still determining when and how to bring the Iconic SP to market. A launch before 2026 is unlikely, but the rotary engine will be technically ready “soon,” and it will pass U.S. regulations.
Mazda’s long-term strategy involves a flexible EV platform, expected by 2027, that can house various powertrains—including rotary hybrids. In partnership with Panasonic, Mazda is planning a homegrown EV lineup, but in the case of the SP, the rotary engine is central to its identity.
According to Jeff Guyton, Mazda’s CFO, the rotary engine is “part of the soul of the company.” A dedicated team of engineers—some veterans of RX-7 and RX-8 development—are working to ensure its legacy continues in a sustainable, modern way.
Mazda’s Two-Sports-Car Future
If Mazda follows through, enthusiasts will be treated to a dual-offering: the lightweight, agile Miata and the more powerful, futuristic Iconic SP. Together, they will represent two sizes of joy for driving purists.
Mazda is also nurturing nostalgia. The company has established a classic restoration program in Hiroshima, currently focusing on first-generation MX-5s. There are whispers of similar treatment for the RX-7—pending parts availability.
For now, fans must wait as Mazda carefully balances passion, regulation, and profitability. But with the Miata’s legacy secure and the Iconic SP inching toward production, the next chapter in Mazda’s storied performance history looks as promising as ever.
