MP3Guy

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-0...ells-cars.html

77mjd

Good read. Unfortunately, I do think we won't ever see a new car powered by a gasoline rotary engine again.

However, I really do hope we can get a sports car/coupe from Mazda with the SkyActive diesel tech. The diesel really looks promising and it looks like Mazda will go all out with it over the next few years.

HiFlite999

iTrader: (2)

So glad to know that the max rpm of the RX-8 is 8200. One might suppose the rest of the article is equally accurate.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

At least post #2 in this thread continues with the level of accuracy started with the article.

MattMPS

no offense..but this would be NASTY..here in EU we have a lot of those kind of "sport cars" diesel powered...no pleasure of drive...too limited power band and rpm's..

good (excellent) for daily use, but i think that the"sportiness" philosophy in Mazda is more refined than a 200 hp diesel.

i'm 100% negative about a rx(mx)-8 or a mx-5 diesel. this would be a tragedy for Mazda sport awareness.

Mazmart

iTrader: (12)

A lot of people don't get it. Diesels done properly are awesome and neat and impressive but a well balanced lightweight sports car with a high revving engine has it's own special appeal and Mazda has harnessed that formula and given it to enthusiasts to enjoy for decades now. Money permitting, I will buy a diesel Mazda some day but my greatest automotive experiences have all been rotary related.

Just so people know, I've driven a Viper and driven in decently modified V8 cars as well (I know torque). Rotary stuff is still my favorite experience.

Paul.

olddragger

iTrader: (3)

as a man that is 62 years old and that has been around and interested in cars all my life--this is indeed a sad time.
The rotary engine is ahead of its time and other manufactors are agaisnt it's design. It would cost them too much to revamp.
The rotary engine could be made more powerful and lighter easily, but it would cost to do so.
I still don't understand why Mazda doesn't sell a limited production 3 rotor RX8. You would not have to put force induction on it and a limited production model would not have to concern itself with the strict polution laws currently in place. Mazda needs a signature car and currently they dont have one. Maybe Mazda is trying to rebrand itself?

Bladecutter

You think?

I can say with 100% certainty, that they are right smack dab in the middle of rebranding their company.

Chassis', suspension tuning, transmissions, engines, fuel injection technology, every single last theing they are changing, and advertising as completely different than anything that has been done before.

Sure sounds like a rebranding campaign.

I'm sure when the day comes to reveal the next Rotary Engine, they will very proudly be able to say that they made the least efficient engine design efficient.

Now that would truly be the cherry on top of the whipped cream, on top of the sundae.

BC.

Mazmart

iTrader: (12)

It's posts like yours that make me wish forums had 'LIKE' buttons similar to Facebook .

Paul.

MattMPS

exactly...i mean rotary or an high revving small NA gas engine..(vtec is a good example, MZR of miata also....)

small dimensions, low weight of the engine...this is the recipe for a kind of type of driving experience......

diesels are in ANTITHESIS of this kind of engine...they are excellent engines for daily non-urban use...perfect for commuting in most part of USA..

in bigger size are perfect to move battleships-for-autobahn (BMW 5or 6..MB E-S class exc....) you can travel FAST at relative high mileage...

No good for trackdays, guys...i can swear over it.....

bse50

They simply won't understand Matt.

77mjd

Nope...can't have any fun with diesels.

MattMPS

No way..

This is racing stuff: it's all about rules/advantages/disadvantages and marketing (win on Sunday, sell on Monday).

Pleasure to drive is another story...a 3-rotor under a Lola chassis is better than this one for make an hot lap and give pleasure to driver

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

Except Lola is going bankrupt and needs a white knight to take over the company.

MattMPS

call ORECA.... they've build 787b...last year they was talking intensely with Seita Kanai at LM 20th anniversary Mazda celebrations.....

olddragger

iTrader: (3)

Bladecutter---unfortunitly all that Mazda is doing HAS BEEN DONE BEFORE--. Its just Mazda has never done it before. Don't get me wrong --I like Mazda--always have. I have owned many different Mazda models.
Mazda in the past has always put something a little different in their line up for the enthusient (sic) . Lately it seems that is not happening, they are just using available tech to promote a "new approach" to the general public in the models the general public wants. It's just business. That is fine, I have no less respect for them in doing that. BUT, it seems that the "Mazda spirit" is just not the same.
I cant get exciteted about sky active tech ( thats just a different name for what a lot of others are already doing), i can't get excited about deisels, i can't get excited about low weight ( heck everyone is doing that now), i cant get excited about a regular transmission now--no matter how well it shifts. I can't get excited about an suv. Nothing Mazda currently has --excites me at all. I am waiting. I know something will come at some point.
I think it is important to not get lost in the hype or the marketing. We are enthusiests ,we believe in Mazda and we will stick with Mazda, but it is up to us to speak how we feel as we know that Mazda does read some forums. Come on Mazda--throw us a bone. Deisals ? Sorry, I dont care how well they do. I am not a deisal fan in a performance car. Heck -I rather have an electrical motor!

MattMPS

i agree with OD.

SKYACTIV is (good/excellent) "bread&butter" stuff.

the "speciality" in Mazda is Rotary. period.

if they want to build an expensive car (for Mazda standards) they have only the Rotary choice...mated with electricity or not, this is a rules/laws problem.....

Bladecutter

And that's just the thing.
Mazda is a car company, first and foremost.
As a secondary thing, they build cars that are more entertaining to drive than their Honda, Toyota, Subaru, and American counterparts.
You would be hard pressed to find a few models of cars that other car companies make that are more enjoyable from an interactive feel than the competing Mazda product.

Mazda is not Porsche.
They are not a sports car company that just happens to also build family cars.
If Mazda wanted to be more like Porsche, they would need to change their entire marketing and pricing strategy, and that would never play well in the market at this time.

You seem to want Mazda to be more on the same lines as Porsche, and there's nothing wrong with that, honestly. I would love that too. Mazda, unfortunately, is competing with Honda, Toyota, and Subaru instead.

If I were to recommend something to Mazda, it would be to start a Luxury brand (I know I've mentioned this before), and make that company compete with Porsche directly. We know Mazda can build a fantastic chassis, suspension, and lively engines, they would just need to increase the luxury department for interiors a notch or three, and they would need to beef up prices, to be able to help support the main Mazda brand with larger profits.

They could then build a car that competes with the Halo Japanese cars, like the GT-R, LFA and the NSX, at the same time as challenging the Porsche 911 and other cars like it. The Furai could be the company's halo car.

But, that's an extreme example of rebranding.
Right now, they need more average motorists buying Mazda cars, just to stay in business in order to build the type of cars that you and I want.

Let them have their 4 years of better market cars, and I'm sure they will give you and I what we really want.

BC.

Bladecutter

Different forum software has a "Thank You" feature, which pretty much does the same function.

But your praise of my post is good enough for me.
Thanks.

BC.

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

Mazda had a try with that in the early/mid 90's. The RX7 FD and 929 models were a part of that brand (I forget the name at the moment).

MattMPS

Anfini (only JDM)

fastlaneracing

Efini??

I would love an sports coupé powered by diesel, you need to go out and try one.

And its an great engine for Motorsports.

Anyhow I look forward to the next Rotary, its still THE most fun engine.

MattMPS

Nope. Anfini

citation:
Introduces Anfini MS-6 and Anfini MS-9.

Introduces Anfini RX-7.

link
http://www.mazda.com/profile/history/1990_1999.html

olddragger

iTrader: (3)

enjoyed reading your post Blade.
We think a lot alike. But, not totally alike
I think there ARE other fun cars out there to drive. A few I will mention is the Mini Cooper S, the new Toyota/subrau, The Hundyi Genisis Coupe V/6 ( it JUST made my list lol), the v/6 Mustang etc. These are fun cars to drive and with the current way Mazda has the Miata set up--just as fun to drive as any Mazda now on the market. Sorry Mazda--its the truth.
I didnt mention many cars because of their increased cost--like the 370 Z etc.
Now NONE of these previously mentioned cars drive as well as my RX8, none are as much fun
as the RX8 and none of them may me turn to look like the RX8. Still they are fun to drive and they are selling and improving.
Mazda will bounce back, they will bring excitement back. Maybe they will do something with the Miata chassis to compete with the new F85/BRZ? I am sure they have their priorities straight--it's just hard waiting.

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

Bad translation from Japanese to English.
It has always been Efini.