Drumm09

How do you guys feel about (don't laugh here) an FOUR-WHEEL-DRIVE Rotary car for the next RX?

A la Ferrari. Hey if it's good enough for them Italian boys......:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48snq...layer_embedded

Symbioticgenius

Superb Handling, and additional grip via AWD. I'm for it, but how much will it weigh...

MattMPS

there is interesting rumors about the AWD system of this Ferrari (not unveiled yet).

forget any mechanical link beetween front and rear axis

date in Geneva for press conference

olddragger

iTrader: (3)

no we dont have the TQ for a 4 wheel drive system.
OD

Chibana

I'm afraid I have to disagree with the Fiesta vs. Mazda2 argument. Recently, my 2005 Mazda3 DD died (last September). I'm a big Mazda fan for the simple fact that their cars are more fun to drive than any other brand as a whole. This is evidenced in the reviews comparing the Mazda2 to the Fiesta. The Mazda2 is the better car to drive. However, in every other respect, it loses. I was looking for a fuel-efficient car to replace my Mazda3, but one that could be fitted with lots of kit to make my 170 mile round trip drive less dull. In addition, part of the deal I made with my wife in buying my 09 RX-8 (manual transmission) was that my next DD would be some form of automatic transmission that she could drive. So, comparing Fiesta auto to Mazda2 auto, the Fiesta blows the 2 away.

None of Mazda's lineup compares well on fuel efficiency with many other cars in the same class, at least when looking at automatic transmission, which, frankly, almost all U.S. buyers opt for (we're talking sales figures here, not enthusiast purchases, right?). The Mazda3 with auto, regardless of engine, gets disappointing gas mileage, considering that the 2011 Focus (yes, it sucks to drive, but, that's not what we're talking about here) is significantly better, and the 2012 that I ordered in October is supposedly going to be close to 40 mpg on the expressway (likely 40 mpg in SFE trim, like the Fiesta). Hell, the Mazda6 with I-4 engine does better than the 3 with the same 2.5L engine. The Fiesta dual-clutch "PowerShift" version gets 38 mpg. Compare that to 33 mpg of the 2. 33 mpg in a car this small? Are you joking? No thanks. Yes, it's more fun to drive, but most Americans (myself included in this case, since I now have my RX-8 for "fun") aren't going to give a **** about that. They're going to look at 33 mpg vs. 38 mpg and a whole lot more kit (and much better interior) in the Fiesta and it's going to be a no-brainer.

Fortunately, Mazda has the Sky-G engines coming and other changes that will hopefully make them competitive in fuel efficiency, but they also have a ways to go in the electronics features and interfacing. For most Americans, the "Fun to Drive" factor only goes so far, if it goes at all.

ASH8

****, I really am AMAZED about the amount of BULLSHIT Americans go on, AND ON, AND ON, about fuel ecomomy....this is America the land of the Eaters the Guzzlers!!!...

It is TOTAL Stupidity worrying about 'micro' MPG, almost moronic, sorry, but it is.

ANY of these so called MPG gains or differences are totally wiped up by some FAT *** overweight driver, or someone that carries a box of tools in Trunk, or forgets to keep AIR in Tyres up to specification.

I really do not understand HOW you and YOUR Motoring press are so OBSESSED with MPG!!! FFS.

And when Mazda come out with their SKY range ALL other makers including Ford will be behind.

Funny how the Mazda 2 outsells Fords (German made, now Thailand) Fiesta in Australia, considerably....what does that tell you.

No offense Chibana, or anyone else.

jrx13

LOL! Totally agree about the overweight issues in America. I remember when they had to redo the boats on It's a small world at Disneyland because of too many overweight riders.

http://thenewprogram.com/blog/?p=289

arghx7

I don't know how it is where you live, but lots of people commute 20-30 miles each way to work every day.

IronTanuki

Australia is now the fattest nation on the planet

I know you haven't been harping on MPG yourself... just sayin

ASH8

Yes, not surprise we follow you guys too much..

lets see 25 % of US is about 75 Million, or over 3 times Australia's Population..

NA.. the US still wins the title...

Spin9k

hey reading about how Boston just purchased some 'special' ambulances that have gurneies that hold 800lbs, and lifts that lift 1000lbs. They immediately had several calls that needed them. They said the the need for had been 'growing'.

Put THAT in your Mazda 2 lol, and you'll exceed the load capacity!

MattMPS

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

Yep, most Americans don't give a **** about "Fun to drive", cuz most of us can't even drive properly.

if I want MPG I would've kept my FIT.

I'm sure NYC needs a LOT of them. but sadly Bloomberg gotta hire another couple thousand people to write tickets to fill the budget gap ... no money to do anything right now.

ASH8

Personally, I don't want all this Electro CRAP, like Sync this or that, Auto this or that...

I want to be PHYSICALLY (my ***) entertained when I drive, not visually IN my car with crap which adds more weight and cost, and then when it goes wrong, the price of this electro stuff is over the top!

I have not even used my 6 stacker CD, ever, I love to ONLY listen to my Renny, and I only use radio when I am stopped and waiting in car somewhere.
I dont even use half the "features" in my car.

Stop being lazy bastards and STOP demanding ALL this useless car crap!

They say that "stick" manual cars are going to Totally disappear in less than 10 years.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

sadly (again), people(most) are getting lazier everyday, and if an option shows up that will enable them to do less work, they are all for it, no matter what cost.

Automatic Transmission is one example. It mostly enables lazy and/or stupid people who can't handle a stick shift.

I was forced to get an Automatic car ... too much pressure from family/gf ... damn retarded people.

Next is ABS, its for people who can't brake properly on slippery roads.

Then it comes DSC/VSC/Stability control of any kind, its for stupid people Who can't drive properly in the first place.

back up cameras, for people who can't park.

Blind spot monitoring systems, for people who never check blind spots.

TPMS, its for people who "NEVER" check their tire pressure.

etc ...

some people might say most of them is for "improving" the safety of driving, hell. the "easiest" and cheapest way to get rid of most accidents is to remove all the stupid drivers off the road. I'm dare to say just make the licensing harder will lower the accident rate by 10 fold.


ok, back to next Rotary.

Do you guys think they might use E85 or something on the next Rotary ? I know Mazda is more about Hydrogen, I like it too, but even Diesel is barely used (even its been out for so damn long) I really don't see how Hydrogen going to work in the states.

bse50

Diesel is barely used in the us ONLY. It's so damn common and a bit cheaper here. A diesel wankel may or may not work, like a gas powered one
Given the direct injection and ignition studies\patents i doubt that it will be a diesel though.

zoom44

like this



http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/gree...awaii-gas.html

stinksause

iTrader: (5)

amen ... make licencing harder and increase speed limits IMO

Lord ET

iTrader: (1)

I don't know about in NY, but in TX almost every gas station has diesel. Trucks mostly. However, I have never seen E85 here, nor have I seen Hydrogen. The closest thing to alternative fuels I have seen is a natural gas station...

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

rofl. so I have to ship my car over Hawaii, get Hydrogen, then ship the car back, and repeat after 100-200 miles ?




in NYC hmm ... maybe 1/2 or less the station have Diesel. and 90% of the time will cost more than gasoline by 10-30%

longpath

iTrader: (1)

While I've heard that emissions are an issue, I've yet to hear specifics about in what way the emissions fail to meet new specifications. Is it HC, CO, NOx? Is it light off time? I'm not trying to raise a ruckus; but knowing exactly where the current version fails might make it clearer as to how viable, and therefore how soon a new model will be able make it to market.

MazdaManiac

iTrader: (3)

"Starting Low Compression Ratio Rotary Wankel Diesel Engine"
"An Experimental Approach for the Development of a Small Spark Assisted Diesel Fueled Rotary Engine"

olddragger

iTrader: (3)

Cam at Pettit Racing has built a spark assisted rotary engine a few years ago.

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

All of the above perhaps ?

longpath

iTrader: (1)

I'd always read that the rotary was naturally low in NOx emissions (one reason that prior to the invention of the 3-way catalyst, every major car manufacturer was experimenting with Wankel rotaries); but it's possible that the standard has risen to the point where trying to clean up the CO and HC emissions is now causing trouble with NOx. I honestly don't know. All I know is that there is something about the current European emissions laws that the current Wankel designs can't meet.