bascho

I saw that......but some people here really think something exciting is going to be released. To my knowledge the new Mazda6 has not been revealed to the world yet and that seems to be the likely subject of this press release. Of course I would love to see what everyone else here wants to see.....but then I am just setting myself up for disappointment......again.

zoom44

im thinking we'll see both. the new 6 AND the next protype development stage of the coupe- it is a year later afterall

BlueSky

My theory distilled

-Exterior heavily carried over the Kabura Concept, few changes
-Interior will definitely be less exotic
-RWD
-170hp 4-cylinder engine (base), 190hp 4-cylinder (sport)
-2600lbs weight
-Faster than a MX-5, slower than a RX-8 in sport version
-They'll accomodate at least 4 seats, 3 is just not market friendly
-PRICE: $19k for base, $23k for sport

saturn

You're getting a little closer. Personally I wouldn't mind a car like this. I still think it hurts sales of the MX-5 somewhat. I know some people simply want a convertible, but if you can create a car with the same handling and performance of the MX-5 for the same price AND more seats (and more style IMO) it's going to be a very difficult for people to justify a MX-5.

Come on Mazda, all I want for Christmas is the promise of a MS8.

MadRonin

My prediction? Mazda isn't going to show anything that we (as in the enthusiast Internets community) aren't already aware of. I agree with Baron's #5; it's probably going to be some boring *** car that appeals to the sheeples. I don't see Mazda doing anything other than continuing to snub the enthusiast community in favor of what (barely) pays the bills.

rotary crazy

I think so too or maybe we will see one of them sooner

hedgecore

I'm having trouble seeing jsut where the kub will fit into the lineup?!?!

RWD coupe with 170hp?

The 3 and MS3 are small FWD coupes, not quite compact sport coupes, but still...~20k
The Miata is their RWD sportish coupe...~25k
The RX8 is their RWD entry level sports car...~30k

They bring in a 20k-ish rwd coupe with 170hp...what hole is that filling?

What am i missing?

zoom44

right where its been said - entry level coupe. mazda's "first shot into battle" vs. the likes of scion tc and chevy cobalt etc.

No More Oldsmobiles

Now you've done it.

http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/27/c...mazdas-aboard/

No More Oldsmobiles

Besides, there's this.

zoom44

on th ford side of speculation and my point earlier about a possible shared car mazda/ford

http://www.autospectator.com/modules...p?storyid=5032

saturn

Thank goodness no 8's were harmed in the marking of that disaster.

zoom44

well we dont know yet for sure- BigOLundh's 8 may have been on there

Tirminyl

Your missing the fact that the 3 is a compact SEDAN. The Miata MX-5 is a ROADSTER. Mazda has one debatable coupe and that the 8.

BaronVonBigmeat

Okay, I can buy that...but I still tend to think that it would cannibalize a decent bit of RX-8 sales. Both are RWD cars. A 3 seater (or 3+1) would be very nearly as practical as an 8. You'd have less power most likely, but better mileage and less weight. Which brings me to my next point...

I almost wonder...let's say the Kabura (or whatever they actually call it) comes out in 2008 or 2009. By that time, it might be time to redesign the 8. If they have a Kabura, I think they might just move the 8 upscale. Give it a bit more rear legroom perhaps, and a 3-rotor. Basically a RWD car with sedan seating but coupe styling. It would cost more than the current model, but that might be okay if the Kabura has the 8's former price point covered.

Comedy option: 2 seat, shortened RX-8. Cheaper and lighter without the rear seats and doors.

Tirminyl

Guys, its a new generation Mazda 6.

BlueSky

Link?

Clavius

Quick thought of speculation hey you said let it run rampant Zoom...

Ok.. in 08' Nissan is releasing the GTR in the states.... what if Mazda under Fords go ahead decided to make the Kabura as a total sports car.. this whole under/around 20k is just b.s. talk to throw everyone off. They either slap in a 3 rotar or god forbid the most evil thing to mention a Ford V8 (gotta think cost savings if its made in America still lol). After that call it a 9 or a Rx-9 if it has a rotary (sorry for not saying rx-7 but what if it sucks do you want this car to sully the 7's rep?). ok end of speculation...

Japan8

^ nah... the RX-7's return is another beast altogether that has been mentioned repeatedly with lots of "wink" and "nudge".

A RWD competitor to the Scion Tc, Cobalt SS and Civic Si is a very good idea. Many of those buyers jump to RWD (or AWD) sports cars for their next car. They get FWD just because it's all that's available in that segment... not because it's what they like. I know that if the Scion Tc was RWD it'd be more interesting to me. Hell even as much as I hate Honda... if the Civic Si was RWD I'd at least take a look. A Kabura-based car for this segement is a good idea. Whether or not it succeeds... that's another story.

Next gen Mazda6? It's pretty reasonable to think that it'll be at one of the two (LA or Detroit) auto shows... MS8? Maybe... but probably not. What we may see is an early facelift RX-8... a move to help boost the lagging sales. If that helps... then a MS8 the year before the next gen RX-8.

Japan8

Maybe, but I'd never buy a MX-5.

I don't like convertibles. The retractable hardtop does make it more appealing, but I've sat in one at the Tokyo Motorshow. It was pretty damn hard for my large 6' *** to get in and out of. Maybe you lanky 5'7" - 5'9" guys don't have any problems with it, but us bigger guys do.

I don't like 2 seaters at all. If I was interested in a 2 seater, I'd just get a 350Z coupe and call it day.

So no... I wouldn't buy one either way.

This is why the kabura is appealing. I'm certainly not the only one who feels like this. There are many people who either don't like convertibles or don't like two seaters (or need more seats)... or both of the above. The MX-5 doesn't compete with the Cobalt SS. Neither does the Mazda3 (5 door or 4 door). The MS3 does, but it's a limited production run car. Once it's done... Mazda has nothing competing in this segement anymore. And once the run is done, Mazda will roll out the Kabura to take its place.

saturn

I see. So this mythical 2400 lbs car with a hard top and rear wheel drive AND 4 seats is going to magically have as much room as the 8?

This car is getting better and better every time someone talks about it!

BlueSky

Yeah I think our speculation is starting to lean towards day-dreaming.

I don't think we'll get the Kabura or anything like it for many years to come.

Auto-execs just don't know **** about what people really want.

saturn

Execs know what people want -- yhey just like to torture us....

because you touch yourself at night.

Japan8

Shave weight by NOT using the suicide doors. The extra bracing/stiffening required for not only rear doors (over just sheet metal), but also having them work as b-pillars is a weight penalty. Versus the MX-5... a coupe is lighter than a convertible... less body and chassis stiffening needed.

Who said seat 4? That is part of the charm of the odd layout in the Kabura... 3+1. Besides... in this segment 2+2 instead of 4 seater is fine.

This isn't so far-fetched...

CERAMICSEAL

Japan8,
You are absolutely right, again. This car won't have much trouble competing. There are many ready to jump ship from their favorite brands at the opportunity for a rear wheel drive entry level sports car. This does not in any way take away from the MX5s sales, nor the 8. It's all very plausable and exciting.