Mazda will finally retire the RX-8 and resurrect the RX-7 nameplate.  This has been speculated on for at least three years, but the move can now be verified.  Not only is the moniker moving downward, but so is the target price.  The RX-8 currently runs around thirty grand and starts at $27,200 (minus fees).  Mazda will be seeking to move the new rotary coupe to a starting price around $24,000, along with a spec boost to better compete with America’s resurgent sport coupes.  Expect more developments in the next quarter.

Looks like Mazda’s planning a mechanical revolution with the 2011 MX-5 roadster.  Inside Line and Leftlane are reporting that the ’11 Miata will be able to achieve 70 mpg.  The astonishing number comes courtesy of a normally aspirated 1.3 L I-4 called the SKY-G.  What’s even more shocking about the claim is that the engine will still produce around 150 hp, while helping to keep weight down to a mere 2,200 lbs.

The Alfa Romeo Duetto Spider earned celebrity for its role in the iconic 1960s black comedy The Graduate.  With that, demand for the Italian roadster soared and the Alfa marque became a hot commodity in America once again.  The Spider’s movie gig retained enough prominence so as to become an entry trim level in later years.

This Duetto, from eBay seller flowernyc, is a pristine 1969.  The American-spec fuel-injection system was replaced by a traditional European twin-carb setup.  We’re not sure the engine: the early Duettos had either a 1.8 I-4 or a “Junior” 1.3, and both were linked to a 5-spd. manual.  Total output for the 1.8 was pegged at 118 hp; not bad considering the Duetto weighed under 2,200 lbs.

The current high bid is at $5,100–still under the reserve.  This is nicest Duetto we’ve seen in a long time, and makes for a more enjoyable ride than the later Spiders.  Should this be a 1.3, we’d put a reasonable price at around $9,000.  If it’s the preferred 1.8, set the number at $12,000.

See the car for yourself:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1969-Alfa-Romeo-Duetto-Spider-Great-Condition_W0QQitemZ200365462698QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item2ea6b654aa&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=65%3A-1|39%3A1

If an Alfa Romeo 8C is too far out of your range, you may take consolation with the SV Motor Company’s SV9 Competizione.

As the name suggests, this custom-build sports car mimics the Alfa’s appearance, but carries enough different cosmetic features to prevent a lawsuit.  The SV9 is actually based on a Corvette platform, and is re-skinned, adorned with a fresh interior, and tweaked for higher performance.  The upgrades include Pirelli sport tires, four exclusive wheel combinations, composite panels, an upgraded intake, and a tuned V-8 delivering 400 hp.  The SV team is promising a four-second run to sixty and twelve for the quarter-mile.

Pricing for the SV9 is set at $100,000.

You knew this was coming.

Shelby American has either reproduced or authorized reproductions of all its classics, from the Cobra 289 to the Ford GT40.  While some of those replicas are second-rate, the Shelby-made Cobras and authorized SuPerformance Daytonas are exceptional cars for the money.  We’ve always been suckers for the 289, though–easier to tame on the road than the 427.

Because of the large volume Shelby’s built up of his Cobra line since the ’90s, prices for these cars new or used aren’t absurdly high.  We’ve seen genuine Shelby-built later 289s for $70,000.  Just because we’re ragging on an overpriced auction car doesn’t we don’t like the name.

Let’s accept a hard fact: $11,000,000 is a lot of money for anything–especially an automobile that’s barely ever going to see the road.  Just imagine the cost and what you could use that money for instead.  Here’s one alternative that’s about a hundredth to a fiftieth of the cost, depending on what variant and the condition: Lamborghini’s revered Miura.

The Miura is the car that put Ferruccio Lamborghini’s name on the automotive map.  The Miura was designed by a young stylist named Marcello Gandini in the middle of the 1960s, debuting in Turin in 1965.  There was simply nothing like it–its curvaceous body, mid-mounted 3.9 L V-12, and, well, that curvaceous body were stunning.  If there’s one car to knock off the Brits claim the E-type is the most beautiful car ever built, the Miura’s it.

There are a few downsides to the Miura.  Early models, the P400 notably, were prone to engine fires.  The cabin is terribly uncomfortable with an awkward seating position.  Lastly, let’s not forget there’s lots of heat emanating from behind the passenger compartment.

But all of that is really unimportant.  Think of the Miura as a gorgeous, buxom Italian brunette.  She can be a bitch and likes high-living, but all that is little to pay when you slip inside and ride her all night–and she’s a screamer, to top it off.

With prices ranging from $90,000 to $200,000, the Miura is a godsend.

There was concern earlier in the spring when it was announced the Viper license was up for sale.  A tussle ensued, with clashing claims over how much was offered to take ownership of the Viper automotive name and assembly plant.  Robert Nardelli, Chrysler’s outgoing CEO, stated there were no worthy offers; others disagreed, claiming offers as much as three times the desired amount.

None of that matters now, for the Viper will stay within the Chrysler network–now a property of Fiat.  Chrysler’s media office announced the license and production will remain under current ownership, though the long-term future of the Viper is unclear.  There are no major plans to replace the current generation in the product planning department, but early ideas have been produced within the Chrysler design arm.

The Spyker name isn’t a household one in the United States, but the Dutch concern has been trying hard to break into the exclusive world of prestige marques.  The Spyker name has a long history going back to the 1900s, and covered both motorcar production and aeronautical development at its peak.

The firm went under in the 1920s, but was resurrected by Victor Muller nine years ago.  Spyker Cars, like Pagani, has followed a narrow focus on a small lineup of exotic and finely assembled sports cars–and done a far better job of placing its aviation links than Saab had with all of GM’s might behind it.

The C8 “Aileron” is the latest addition, and official images have hit the Web in force.  While we’re used to hearing about cars relying on carbon fiber nowadays, the Aileron lives off aluminum for its chassis, body panels, and interior decor.  A visual display is put in front of the driver, complete with stick-controlled navigation and audio system.

Under the hood is a 4.2 L mid-mounted Audi V-8 putting up to 400 hp, mated to either a 6-spd. Getrag manual gearbox or ZF automatic.  Redline is set at 7,200 rpm; performance specs are officially set at 187 mph max and 0-60 in four and a half seconds.

We’re really looking forward to Spyker’s coming offerings here in the US.  You can expect to see us put more coverage on this up-and-coming marque, and I can expect to receive one free of charge from Spyker in the coming months.

Britain’s Fifth Gear has taken the Nissan 370Z out for a spin, and come away pleased.  The new Z, as expected, is praised for its “refinement”: the car’s grounded, accelerates with more confidence, and handles the corners with more ease.  The only gripe to come up with the new Z is the car’s more predictable nature–it’s grown up, as they say.