Edmunds Inside Line reports that Mazda could bring back the rotary-powered RX-7 sports coupe as early as 2011 or 2012. The original RX-7 was sold in the U.S. from 1979 through 1985 and came with a compact, lightweight rotary engine.

According to Edmunds, the new RX-7’s rotary engine was expected “to be capable of up to 350 horsepower and 215 pound-feet of torque versus the RX8's paltry 232 hp and 159 lb-ft.” However, Edmunds adds that “sources close to Mazda now suggest that the company will take a simpler approach and create a car whose character evokes the original RX-7…Horsepower is expected to be in the 200-250 range and the pricetag will be about $25,000."

While a new RX-7 is certainly exciting, Edmunds and other sources say its arrival spells doom for the current RX-8, which debuted in 2004. Motor Trend explains, “The current four-door RX-8 rotary is well-known for its less than satisfactory mileage, heavy oil consumption and flat mid-range torque, issues that engineers have been working to solve with the 16X for the next RX-7.”

Interested in the RX-8? Check out the U.S. News rankings of this year's best cars as well as this month's best car deals.