I don't think this has been mentioned before, but what if the Kabura is really a styling exercise for the next RX-8? The front ends are kind of similar and is it a coincidence that the Kabura as a unique door configuration and is a true sports car that can hold more than 2 people. Also, Von Holzhausen did say "this car certainly illustrates where Mazda design is headed."

 

IMO i dont think mazda can price it in the 18k-20k range if it has a renesis. common sense tells me that Mazda would be better off putting an I4 engine making 150hp in it and then it can be cheap enough to take a bite out of the rsx, civic, scion tC segment where cars sells at relatively high volume. I can see a turbo charged I4 powering a MS version though. I just think that putting the renesis in that car would raise its price to the point where its competing vs the rx8 for much smaller pool of buyers to begin with.

 

the RX8 should be due for a redesign soon, its almost 4 years old... im guessing 2008 should be the year... we might see a new RX concept next year whether its a new rx8 or if they are going to discontinue the rx8 and do a rx7.

 

For all you Kabura fans, there's a new forum just for you now:

http://kaburaforums.com/

 

join up and vote rotary!!!

 

I did and voted for equal treatment - a rotary version AND a 274hp 2.3 4-banger version!

The Kabura forum really looks cool - nice clean look, great color, I hope this means the car is actually destined for reality so we can buy one! (pending it has hi-output engine availability )

 

that car is hot!!!!!!!

from the side it does looks like an aston vantage.

this car with a rotary its the return of the rx-7 1st gen.

 

Mazda have a tough choice ahead..I mean..this car would be a great way to introduce to the young population of what rotary is all about at an affordable price, but as plahdoh said, if they threw that in there, I don't think it will be in the 18k-20k range. So, it makes sense that they are considering the 4 cylinder route to take a bite out of the other competitors..

On the side note, my wife says that "Kabura" is a poisonous snake with a unique head. If you take a look again at the car, you might see some of its body style stand out that way..kind of cool!! She couldn't elaborate on what is the formal name of the snake..sorry :p

 

“Kabura” is a Japanese term taken from “KABURA-ya”, an arrow that makes a howling sound when fired and was historically used to signal the start of a battle. The “first arrow into battle” depicts Mazda’s spirit of pursuing unique and exciting ventures - such as the rotary engine."

 

Ah..that would make sense too :p Unless they use Kanji, just saying the words guess could be interpreted differently..I'll have to tell her about the arrow approach..

 

Man I love Mazda...

 

this isnt meant to be a niche market sports car. its supposed to be a concept of a market capturing entry level coupe.


have some people not bothered to read the press release. hes not the only poster to talk of niches or "super car to beat the new supra" etc

 

that would be the mazdaspeed version

 

Wouldn't that be something 274HP in a 2500lb car? If they would say they'd have that at its introduction, I'd be over to my dealer RIGHT NOW putting my deposit down to get the 1st one to show up with 9.12 lbs/hp!

Rotary (please) or piston, doesn't matter all that much.

 

yeah i didnt bother to read the press release, i just see all this talk about rotory in it, so i was thinking theres no way itd be an entry level coupe. but as I said before at around 150hp with a cheap I4 engine this thing has a lot of potential since its RWD vs the rest of its competitions of civic and rsx etc.

 

I like it's look and I think the final version will actually look better, more sexy-normal...then sexy-crazy...lol.

I really like the clear tinted window for the engine but remember, who want's to show off a weak engine. So....if this thing is going to weigh 2500 pounds then either or both (how I would prefer it):

2.3L I4 180HP

or

1L Rotary making the same HP (180)

Like that, the customer could pick their poison and Mazda could bring in the most customers. They should make it initially just with the I4 (more sales this way) and then come with a special edition rotary powered one later in the year.

Also, I think 20-25K is too much and it should be priced more like 16-19K to better compete with those other little cars. What will make this car special is that it will be RWD, have the Mazda Zoom factor, and be inexpensive.

Also, forget the 3+1 and just make it a normal 2+2. The reason for seats is for people to sit in them, not dogs...so who cares about seats that are useless. As you all know, I really dislike having rear seats that are useless and that was one of the strong selling points of my RX8. Many things sold me on the RX8, but since I was going to start a family soon a huge selling point was the use of the rear seats.

I think Mazda would be dumb to ignore the young people who want a fun, quick, sexy car that can hold some of their stuff with techno goodies. Get someone young enough to fall in love with your car (price, quality, fun factor, performance, utility) and you will gain a life long customer.

So, I'd say call this thing the Kabura with the initial engine their I4...and then come out with a Kabura RX-3 with a small rotary to gain even more buyers. One car...two versions, HUGE SALES!!!

Like you all, there are some style issues with this car but I think the idea behind the car is solid. RSX, tC, Civic Si, etc...all would be chumps next to a RWD Mazda coupe.

 

Well said!! I think if Mazda was willing to do just that, and introduce an affordable rotary engine in this new body, that they will gain a life long customer from the young consumers out there! They HAVE to make it affordable and yet appeal to the them..that said, lets see if we can push Mazda's buttons and get them to get off their butt to kick the other competitors out of the water!!!

 

dude the 2.0l MZR with DI will put otu 190hp- so no need for the 2.3
they dont have a 1l renesis so that aint going to happen. if you want "low power" then use 4 port renesis engines
4 port Renesis at 195ish hp

MX-3 2.0l DI MZR
RX-3 1.3 4port(DI?) Renesis

Priced under 20k maxed out with all the options.

Ford can badge/sell a version as the new Probe and they can sell a version at the Mercury dealers as the new Cougar. make one of them a hybrid

 

Yeah...Mazda needs several kicks in the butt, like regarding our beloved RX8!!!!

 

Ohh, I thought the MZR was the 2.3L version...so yes, the MZR.

I suggested a 1L Rotary because even the 4 port's fuel economy is crappy, so maybe they could bring the 1L's fuel economy higher up...more I4 like, but regardless your idea would make more business sense.

 

what if it were down to 244hp like inthe cx-7. less hp but also less likely to run into knock induced boost reductions. still interested?

 

Very much agree. However, if they indeed put an rotay in it later, I think it will still be 1.3L (no need to retool and redesign, thus cheaper), maybe the 4-port version from the AT RX-8.

Also agree. But for enthusists, I think they maybe willing to pay a little extra (1-2k) more for the RWD. Of course, the cheaper the better.

This I have to disgree. I think they should keep the 3+1 arrangement in the production model. Most people want usable seats, so three usable seat plus one dog seat is better than 2 usable seats plus two dog seats in my book.

WORD!

 

Yeah...so I hear...lol

I'll give you 1K...can we shake on it...do we have a deal??? lol

Yeah, if they can't do a good 2+2...then the 3+1...but I think they can do (like the RX8) a good 2+2, but again...if not stick to the 3+1.

 

Deal!

 

Where's my checkbook