ASH8

I agree with RG, if it has not got a rotary, then the car has little interest for me, I would rather the MX-5 Convertible.
Another RWD PISTON Coupe...blah...

If it was a prototype I would be more concerned...but it is only a "concept" to test the waters so to speak..and a crowd drawer.

When will MAZDA get it..we want a ROTARY Coupe, preferably with a Convertible Hardtop, or, just put a ROTARY in the New MX-5...it wont cost you much MAZDA...

zoom44

a version of that conversation took place at 7stock. as was pointed out then- its no the information that is important there- only that the answer was known and could be given off the cuff because it had been done already

ASH8

I cant see the point of having another RWD piston 2 door when they have the MX-5...it tends to go against the so called FWD configurations that most makers use these days...particularly Japanese cars... BTW, FWD is not my choice of drive-train.

Perhaps Mazda is just teasing us with the Kabura....

1. Could it be that if it went to prototype then production that it WILL have a Rotary
Engine?.
2. Perhaps Mazda does not want to "hold up"/ "take away" some sales of the RX-8 by
announcing a new rotary powered car........coming soon?
3. This still could be the RX-3 we were hoping for with Mazda trying to throw all of us off..
(Including Rotary News).

Who really knows....MMMMmmm

brillo

man, buy te time this comes out, the aftermarket will be full up with Miata parts for that engine, be real easy to port those over......mmmm....that could be one fast cheap car.

m477

Do you have any idea what he's working on now? I think it's sad that Mazda isn't letting him design the new sports car, since he was obviously very talented at it...

RX-Hachi

Tom Matono's design team was responsible for both the original Miata and the FD RX-7. Tom has left Mazda and I believe heads up some kind of art/design center in CA. But the man who actually penned the FD was Wu-Huang Chin, who was part of Tom Matono's team. No idea what he's doing these days. The 2nd gen Miata has heavy FD RX-7 styling cues, but it seems to be the last design of that golden era.

This Kabura sketch looks RX-8ish enough, that it could even turn out to be an early concept of what a 2nd gen RX-8 might look like. Although every rumor about this car points to any entry level sports coupe ala Scion tC.

mattzen

What is now called the Kabura is definitely the car i saw in the focus group based on the concept drawing posted. That is definitely it. I thought it was a really really great looking car. Excited to see where they go with it. Based on the info in the focus group it looks like they were targeting the price at aroune 16-20k. Powered by a piston engine.... It had that unique seating configuration too.

mikeb

you hit the nail on the head

Japan8

RED LIGHT! What unique seating configuration?? The first post doesn't mention anything about that, nor is anything visible in the sketch. So spill it...

zoom44

something about rear reclining seats from the focus groups. some suggest they arent meant to forcast a feature of the car but to test different configurations

Mazmart

iTrader: (12)

Mr Chin is the guy I saw in Irvine. He's still there as a tremendous asset to Mazda.
Paul.

zoom44

ok well no more sketches to be had. everyone from japan to US to canada has the same story- no more until the unveiling at NAIAS in January. im sure there wiil be a leak or 2 before then but for now thats the only one.

wortho-rx8

but the reason the mx-5/miata sells so well is because of its simplicity and the things mazda HASNT put in. if you want a rotary powered mx-5 just buy second hand and do a conversion' im sure there's a company out ther who does it.

BaronVonBigmeat

If simplicity is a selling point, then that's another reason why Mazda should sell rotary Miatas. Of course, it's probably much easier for them to just slap on a turbocharger.

wortho-rx8

wot i meant is because it is simple with a basic 1.6/1.8 (not sure on new models size) and light body it meant you could have respectable performance with very good economy. now if you put a rotary engine in (im not slagging it just making a point) then you lose the economy and running cost factor which a lot of people apparantley look for in the mx-5 as you would have to do a lot more oil changes and economy wont be as great. in a way the mx-5 is based on the collin chapman ethis (founder of lotus) were to enjoy driving all you need is an engine, a good chasis and lightweight body and you have the making of a good car.

rotary crazy

the thing is if you are going to make a 2 door light weithg car with the miata engine why a new model?? take the miatas recognition to your avantage and make a coupe.
now if your going to built a new sports car built it with engine options 2lt, 2.3lt, ROTARY.
you can even make a mazdaspeed version with the mazdaspeed6 engine!

rotary crazy

Thanks for your efforts

zoom44

miata doesnt have a back seat and your welcome

rotary crazy

I hope your right its not fum to see another coupe from mazda with nothing special to offer go down the draing (mx-3, mx-6).

but make a 2600 lbs rotary and we are talking about a firts gen revival no matter what mazda wants to call it

Saint_Spinner

If this thing has a piston engine, then I'm interested. If it has a rotary, then no thank you. Rotaries just don't do anything for me (except smoothness), but IMO the negatives outweigh the goods.

This is supposed to be an entry level rwd coupe. If its targeted towards the scion/civic si crowd, I doubt they'd want to deal with flooding, bad mileage, lack of torque and etc.

rotary crazy

thanks for your opinion, thats exatly what im saying, opcions if you want piston you got it, i want rotary i buy mine rotary.

ASH8

I would not normally comment on someone's right to make a comment in these forums, BUT....

Just in case you have not noticed this is an RX-8 club.com forum, most here are Mazda RX-8 owners or Mazda Enthusiasts.

If I dare to say, I doubt you have ever owned (for any long period of time) a Mazda(s) with a rotary engine.

Sure, rotary engines have some drawbacks, so do conventional piston engines, but, the fondness/love/desire for almost anything rotary is something that one acquires with age and or experience, (almost like a good beer or wine,,,,sorry) because nothing in the automotive world matches the sound and feeling a purring rotary gives to their owner....

m477

LOL, right.... after being spoiled by the Civic Si's 139 ft-lbs of brawny, stump-pulling torque, I don't see how anybody could possibly tolerate a rotary. I mean what a piece of crap it doesn't even have VTEC!

czr

iTrader: (3)

Blasphemy, Saint Spinner!

rotary crazy

LMAO