RX3 Concept Loses Rotary!
11-04-2005, 01:00 PM
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RX3 Concept Loses Rotary!
From http://rotarynews.com/
Here's the scoop folks. We've been predicting Mazda will bring out a small Coupe/Sports Car to sit along side the RX-8 (See our article from Feb 2003!). At SEMA, we've learned the plans have firmed up, and concept will be unveiled at NAIAS/Detroit in January. The little concept started out life in the sketch pads with inspiration from the 1970's Mazda Sports Coupe the RX-3. The project, known as "The Coupe" internally, was initially was planned to be a Rotary. However, something within the last few months has taken a wrong turn. At some point, this great looking little car has has lost it's soul: the Rotary! The concept will be unveiled with a piston engine in it, so of course it will not be called the RX-3.
11-04-2005, 01:38 PM
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If you want this thing rotary powered, leave your feedback here:
http://rotarynews.com/comment/reply/713#comment
http://rotarynews.com/comment/reply/713#comment
11-04-2005, 02:37 PM
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I'm only building a two car garage - I don't have room for a third car
the only thing is that is full so one of the fc is going for sale, if mazda makes this car rotary of course.
11-04-2005, 02:45 PM
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If MAZDA originally had the capacity to provide rotaries to this car, then perhaps one of two things happened.
1 They lost that capacity
2. Perhaps they are diverting those engines elsewhere...
1 They lost that capacity
2. Perhaps they are diverting those engines elsewhere...
11-04-2005, 03:04 PM
#12
Originally Posted by derwankel
If MAZDA originally had the capacity to provide rotaries to this car, then perhaps one of two things happened.
1 They lost that capacity
2. Perhaps they are diverting those engines elsewhere...
1 They lost that capacity
2. Perhaps they are diverting those engines elsewhere...
11-04-2005, 04:34 PM
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Originally Posted by rotary crazy
ZOOM44 maybe we can star a 'SAVE THE RX-3 CAMPAING" a stiky threat so every one can express theyr opinion so that MAZDA can find it easy.
-Bern
11-04-2005, 06:09 PM
#14
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Originally Posted by derwankel
If MAZDA originally had the capacity to provide rotaries to this car, then perhaps one of two things happened.
1 They lost that capacity
2. Perhaps they are diverting those engines elsewhere...
1 They lost that capacity
2. Perhaps they are diverting those engines elsewhere...
from the car connection article that bern linked to elsewhere - this is primarily for the NA market with a possibility it could be switched to right hand drive for other countries. i submit that this means it will also be built in the states to avoid the costs of importing it to keep the price low. going with a piston means they dont have to import the engines. i see this going after the cobalts and saturn ion red line thingys as well as the rsx and scion that have been mentioned. so it would need to be easily modded. aftermarket will be much happier getting their hands on a 4 boinger than the rotary.
11-04-2005, 06:14 PM
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Originally Posted by zoom44
....after the cobalts and saturn ion red line thingys as well as the rsx and scion that have been mentioned. so it would need to be easily modded. aftermarket will be much happier getting their hands on a 4 boinger than the rotary.
Also, remember that Nissan will be releasing a small coupe too!
-Bern
11-04-2005, 06:33 PM
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Originally Posted by bern
Just post comment over at RN.COM... believe me, they'll see it... just like our SAVE THE SEVENS campaign!
-Bern
-Bern
But if yanking the rotary from this car means we get more R&D put into the RX-8, so much the better. 
11-04-2005, 06:36 PM
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It would be great to see a rotary in a smaller RWD vehicle... would seriously consider getting one as the second car. That said, let me play devil's advocate for a minute --
- I'd want to see better around town fuel economy (weight reduction would probably help here)
- The car would need to be able to babied less (0% risk of flooding)
I'm not sure if that is achievable. Mazda have learnt a lot from the experiences with the '8 - I just hope it's not a case of once bitten twice shy.
Any manufacturer looking at doing something new in the small car market will probably want to appeal to a broader market than just enthusiasts. That said, maybe there is opportunity for a smaller sports car based on a rotary. There isn't much out there at the moment in that class that appeals to me. Holden's offerings don't do much for me. Mitsubishi has lost the plot. Nissan needs to update the Pulsar. Toyota Corolla Sportivo - forget that rice bodykit. Who's buying the Ford Focus in Australia - no-one. Bang to buck ratio on the europeans is too low in Australia.
On the flip side maybe the rotary capacity will go towards a new RX-7 or to a hybrid engine???
There is opportunity for Mazda to do something different in the small car market... I hope they give it a go.
- I'd want to see better around town fuel economy (weight reduction would probably help here)
- The car would need to be able to babied less (0% risk of flooding)
I'm not sure if that is achievable. Mazda have learnt a lot from the experiences with the '8 - I just hope it's not a case of once bitten twice shy.
Any manufacturer looking at doing something new in the small car market will probably want to appeal to a broader market than just enthusiasts. That said, maybe there is opportunity for a smaller sports car based on a rotary. There isn't much out there at the moment in that class that appeals to me. Holden's offerings don't do much for me. Mitsubishi has lost the plot. Nissan needs to update the Pulsar. Toyota Corolla Sportivo - forget that rice bodykit. Who's buying the Ford Focus in Australia - no-one. Bang to buck ratio on the europeans is too low in Australia.
On the flip side maybe the rotary capacity will go towards a new RX-7 or to a hybrid engine???
There is opportunity for Mazda to do something different in the small car market... I hope they give it a go.
11-04-2005, 06:43 PM
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Originally Posted by RX-Hachi
We've posted at RN.COM about saving the seven and posted there about making the Mazdaspeed 8 real, but so far it has fallen on deaf ears. Why will this time be any different? Pulling the rotary from this concept car was the last straw! But if yanking the rotary from this car means we get more R&D put into the RX-8, so much the better.
But if yanking the rotary from this car means we get more R&D put into the RX-8, so much the better. -Bern
11-04-2005, 10:33 PM
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bern is right... there are employees in Mazda that listen, and would wish for nothing more than a rotary-only world 
But Mazda is a business, so the bean-counters do get involved... they must make a business case for any and all products, just like any other company out there. It is amazing that this car got as far as it did with comments like those of Batik saying Mazda was basically saturated with sports cars now...
But Mazda is a business, so the bean-counters do get involved... they must make a business case for any and all products, just like any other company out there. It is amazing that this car got as far as it did with comments like those of Batik saying Mazda was basically saturated with sports cars now...
11-05-2005, 08:18 PM
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Originally Posted by sco
It would be great to see a rotary in a smaller RWD vehicle... would seriously consider getting one as the second car. That said, let me play devil's advocate for a minute --
- I'd want to see better around town fuel economy (weight reduction would probably help here)
- I'd want to see better around town fuel economy (weight reduction would probably help here)
I know this topic has come up before, but I really do wonder why this is not being considered. Would there be any reason left to choose an S2000 over an MX-5 or RX-5 rather?
11-05-2005, 09:35 PM
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Damn, what a travesty!
To be honest, I didn't even know about this concept but now that I see it won't have a rotary, it's quite sad.
Building this car with a Rotary would really make a powerful statement for Mazda. (hint hint wink wink...I know you're reading this)
/waves hand in front of Mazda spies
You will build this car with a Rotary engine.
To be honest, I didn't even know about this concept but now that I see it won't have a rotary, it's quite sad.
Building this car with a Rotary would really make a powerful statement for Mazda. (hint hint wink wink...I know you're reading this)
/waves hand in front of Mazda spies
You will build this car with a Rotary engine.
11-05-2005, 10:42 PM
#24
Bummed, but bring on OU!
The rotary is the only thing that could make this car stand out. Slap a four banger in it, and they risk being outdone by someone like Hyundai. Anyone can build a low end, rwd, 4 cyl. coupe, and they will if Mazda sets the precedent. The concept is a good idea...inexpensive, lightweight, decent power, decent mileage, sporty, good handling, some utility. The rotary engine would make it unique. The more popular they can make the Renesis, the better the Renesis can become.
11-06-2005, 10:59 AM
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I've read all of the comments here and on rotarynews.com. Many have made some good points. However, if this car looks and cost like is being claimed, it will most likely be my next car (and first new car) regardless of the motor. I would really love another rotary. I miss my RX-7 a lot and yearn for another one. But the market just doesn't have any other affordable rwd sport cars (not convertibles) besides the Mustang.
This "rx-3" will bring a new market to Mazda (unlike the 5 IMO). The market will be bigger if the car has a piston engine. But, you will upset many previous Mazda enthusiasts by not having the rotary....just remember Mazda, your return customer basis isn't too good. If there is no other rotary car in the works, why not utilize the factory's capacity? Have a $16k to $19k (loaded) coupe with the existing 160hp 2.3L or the 170hp 2.0L out of the MX-5, and have an $2k option to get the 4-port with DI (for fuel economy) with 200hp to 210hp. Both markets are satisfied. This new coupe with 210hp may be faster than the RX-8, but they are different markets, so who cares? Or if that is such a problem, leave the DI off to keep the cost down and the power at 197hp.
This "rx-3" will bring a new market to Mazda (unlike the 5 IMO). The market will be bigger if the car has a piston engine. But, you will upset many previous Mazda enthusiasts by not having the rotary....just remember Mazda, your return customer basis isn't too good. If there is no other rotary car in the works, why not utilize the factory's capacity? Have a $16k to $19k (loaded) coupe with the existing 160hp 2.3L or the 170hp 2.0L out of the MX-5, and have an $2k option to get the 4-port with DI (for fuel economy) with 200hp to 210hp. Both markets are satisfied. This new coupe with 210hp may be faster than the RX-8, but they are different markets, so who cares? Or if that is such a problem, leave the DI off to keep the cost down and the power at 197hp.