MAZDA Australia MD Interview (October)
 

Interesting interview with Mazda Australia boss...

IF you don't want to hear the compete 24 minutes, the last 2 might confirm what most have already thought.

The Evolv concept (RX-8) from memory was Tokyo Motorshow back in 1999 and then born as the RX-8 in 2003/04 model year.....so 4-5 years out.?

If they were going to do it, I think they would prefer to have it out in 2018 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the rotary. That's why I'm thinking they may be farther along than your typical concept car, as the teaser looks more-polished than usual for a concept.

image from latest number of Best Car Magazine (japan)- sorry for the size, this is the only one available

http://i60.tinypic.com/ampbu0.png

Wanklebolt, 2017 is the actual 50th Anniversary of Mazda's rotary Cosmos, and 2020 is the 100th anniversary of the company. So just like many have reasoned and rumoured , the car could be a 2017 or a 2020 model. Sign me up for one, and keep my streak going since 1972.

Looks bulky, I am sure it will get refined overtime.

Remember 2008 was the 40th anniversary. By my math adding ten years to that is 2018. Mazda's math may be off but I expect they'll stick to it.

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Wanklebolt,I have a 2008 40th Anniversary edition, but 2007 was the actual 40th anniversary of the rotary engine in the Cosmos. Read all the press releases and they all say 2017 would be the 50th anniversary of the Mazda rotary. The first Cosmos were out in May 1967.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_Cosmo#Series_I


40th Anniversary (Some were made and released in other markets in 2007. The North American version was only sold in 2008)

From Wikipedia:
2007 saw the release of a special edition to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Mazda's rotary engine. The 40th Anniversary special editions were different in the Japan and North American markets. The Japanese version came in Marble White as an homage to the Mazda Cosmo Sport, which was initially only available in white. The North American version came in Metropolitan Grey Mica exterior with the interior clad in special Cosmo Red leather. It also had wheels of a new design later incorporated in the 2009 facelift, as well as an exclusive sport-tuned suspension with Bilstein dampers. Further upgrades included an enhanced urethane foam injected front cross member intended to improve steering feel.[7] In North America, this special edition was available only in 2008.

If it's an RX-7, 2018 would be the 40th Anniversary. They got the 10AE, but missed the 20th and 30th.

If that magazine image is truth then it is the "RX-9" which you can see by zooming in on the text.

That magazine image is 100% speculation. There is no evidence what the car might be named.


Mazda wouldn't make a car that ugly. At least not since Franz left. :cool:

I don't know.. This could actually be it.

Same type of mirrors, window shapes, both 2-door, both coupe/same sloped rear end. And, the front end looks really similar to the new Miata. I think thats what their gonna try and do.. Make it a big brother to the Miata.

I agree.... I hope it sees some changes because it looks very aston martin-ish to me

I was thinking the same thing it looks exactly like an Aston Martin.

That's just a render based on what little they can see from the teaser photo from Mazda. Of course it would look the same as the teaser...

I bought my first RX7 in 1978 when they first came out, so you are correct here. It listed for $6995 with a 12A engine,rated at 100 hp. The demand was so great that dealer gouging sent the price upwards of $10,000 in some places. Mazda quickly raised the list price to $7395 with the 12A engine.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_RX-7

As long as it has 2 seats in the back that can fit a real person then I'm interested. I would love having the suicide doors back. If it's a 2 seater, it better have some balls as it would only be compared to the likes of Zcars, caymans, boxers, and/or maybe even vettes. Then, I'd be interested if it was much cheaper than the rest.

well I guess you won't be interested...I don't think a real person will be able to sit in the rear. That is, of course, if it even has back seats :)

As long as it has a driver's seat I can fit in, I'll be interested.

Rotary option for MX5
 

I would be happy with having a rotary as an option on a Mazda sports car; say an MX5R....

/or even an "RX" replacement chassis with your choice or either Skyactive, diesel or rotary.

First off, thank you for posting the interview of Mazda's Australia managing director Martin Benders. That was a fascinating interview on the way Mazda looks at the Automobile world. I particularly liked how un-faced and un-bothered he seemed by the fact that Mazda is not the #1 car maker in Australia, and instead he says how they target their customer with that they like. That to me is huge, as most Automobile makers seem more concerned about making a buck rather than making fun cars.

Now notice how he did refer to the RX anniversary as "another" anniversary and not the 100th. Mazda anniversary of 2020. That makes me think that a new Rotary car would come before 2020. Which in turn makes it right around 2018.

Now concerning that render base from Best Car Magazine, I hope it looks slightly more radical than that. To me that render (which btw is clearly inspired by the teaser photo that Mazda released last week) looks tooooo conservative. Almost boring. I admit it does have an Aston Martin feel to it but I hope the real thing looks slightly more modern.

im severely disappointed in the motor press right now. It's been WEEKS since this photo came out from Mazda and there hasnt been one measly little leak since. not text or pics.WHERE ARE THE BRENDA PRIDDYs of the world with the spy photos?

https://www.facebook.com/BrendaPriddyandCompany

Sample Photos


NOTHING!!@@!!

this thing has been going on in secrecy for quite sometime.... people didn't know anything about the new ford gt until it was unveiled. sounds like mazda is keeping things tight lipped and I appreciate that.

Meh, probably because it's purely a concept and not a running mule.

i wonder if they built the whole thing in house or had some Japan version of Aria-Group help with the build Aria Group