Design1stCode2nd

I'd have to diasgree with you on that, BMW is able to put 6 and 8 cyl enignes in their cars and maintain a 50/50 distribution. The engine would probably sit higher and weigh a little more but not much if an all aluminium block was used. More use of aluminum could probably negate the weight issue while increaing the price some.

Its the whole reason why the Kabura will be one of three things:

1. Not made.
2. Have a rotary.
3. Have a small NA 4 cyl.

Well or a fourth, replaces the RX8 alltogether.

GT34

I would love to see ford come out with something on the 8's platform. I think the rotary is totally a mazda thing. I'd like to see the 2.3 disi turbo as a FR setup. Keep the 4 doors too but maybe have the interior available in a "not so posh" option to make the car cheaper. But still have the cozy leather setup for those who can afford.

I think it'd be cool to see what ford could come up with with the design on the 8's platform. But as a former probe enthusiast, I'd love to see the probe a rearwheel drive car.

On another note, the 1st gen probe styling ques came from the 2nd gen rx7's. They look very close to the same car. Except the fc's lower and better looking. But the interiors are close to the same.

zoom44

let me first reply to the topic at hand- i have already talked about my preference for thi sidea many times. Mazda should build the Kabura- rotary or piston) and call it RX-3 or MX-3. Ford should then build a similar car from the platform(which is a shortened RX8) and call it the Probe.

Think Ford wont do it? then why would they show a car on this platform just this past year?










http://media.ford.com/newsroom/relea...?release=22296

zoom44

now let me wade thru this mess and correct a few things. "engineers" never cease to amaze me with their ability to get things so wrong about subjects they profess to know about.



they have alot to do with each other. saying they dont means you are woefully behind in your reading.

The Tribute is a Hybrid and that is the reason it is in the CURRENT Mazda Line-up after having just been "re-launched" at NAIAS 2007 a week ago. It wont be cancelled for another 2 years.

the build quality of the Mazda6 is quite high. Mazda is not looking to make all the 6s in Japan- they have no capacity. The head of Mazda is on record saying he is looking for more Capacity IN North America- possibly using idled Ford plants. They also own joints plants in China and Indonesia.

Platform sharing isnt stealing is smart business pratice and use of resources. Your use of stealing is ridiculous. As an engineer you never rely on previous work by others?

The CX-7 is on a wholly Mazda platform shared with no one else. it is a combination of the Mazda3 platform and the Mazda6 platform. The CX-9 is built ofd the extended Mazda6 platform shared by the otehrs you mentioned. its actually larger for the CX-9 allowing it to have 3 rows of seating vs the 2 rows of its "cousins".
actually Mark Fields(RX-8 developed at Mazda under his watch) along with half a dozen other execs at Ford, like Morry Callum new Director of Fords NA Design http://www.autospectator.com/modules...p?storyid=5032 (he was responsible for the MX-5 and the CX-7 among others) came straight from turning Mazda around. These folks are a large part of the renewed spirit at Mazda and if anyone has a chance atr fixing Ford its them.

You should also know that Mazda is in charge of the design for the next generation Bsegment cars from Ford.

http://news.windingroad.com/trends/n...in-california/


like i said at the top- you have alot of reading to catch up on.

Stavesacre21

I actaully own a 97 Probe as my beater. It's been a great car for 6 years now and is still running pretty good at almost 170K. I can't knock it at all, although i must say that putting it in the same catagory as the RX8 isn't really taht feasble.

2 very different cars...not really sure where this question came from.

c41250n

iTrader: (5)

i will sell my car right away!

andone

just to say it again:

if ford and mazda work together - what would the reason be to build a car which would take away the buyers from mazda to ford???

see if those companies wouldn't work together, i'd understand. but this doesnt make any economical sense. unless ford is about to make another big mistake, which they have done a lot of lately....

DaveCM203

Oh my god. Am I crazy or does that, from the back, look like....should I say it......like........a.........Crossfire.

Stavesacre21

lol...

i see the resemblence

mysql101

There is no space in the FORD lineup for an RX-8. They are too busy making other cars using the mustang platform.

Winfree

Ford could use the design staff to make something like an RX-8, maybe a little wider and longer but the same kind of curves and style - but let it be a piston - don't even try to make a badly built fake Mazda, try a badly built Lotus Europa instead- and change the name - Probe is not an attractive name -

Other names not to use: .............. Almost Better Names

Farmer........................................ Star Setter
Enema....................................... Fox Trap
Anthrax ....................................... Donner
Gastric ....................................... Nimbus
Clod ....................................... Apocalypse
Sucker ....................................... Respect
Uranius ....................................... Samauri
Punk ....................................... Quarterback
Lottery ....................................... Statler
Roach ....................................... Dividend

Aseras

ford US could fix their whole bottom line in the us by throwing away every car they make and just bringing their europe and aus models in.

playdoh43

no wonder ford is in trouble, theyve got engineers like that working for them. :p
the way he talk dosnt sound like an engineer, at least its different from the way someone like PoorCollegeKid talks.

chickenwafer

iTrader: (9)

I am the only here who knows that Ford LOST over 5 BILLION DOLLARS in revenue last year?? They didn't make a freakin penny. I made more money than Ford last year. If it wasn't for the F150 Ford would be outta business. And hey probably will be within the next few decades.
Oh, and William (Bill) Ford JR sold off about 60% (or a majority, I can't remember the exact percentage) of his shares in Ford Motor Co. When the freakin boss whose name is on the wall sells shares in his own company, you know something bad is going on.
Could Ford bounce back? Of course. Will it happen? Doubtful.

Winfree

How to save Ford:

Design - people look at the outside of a car first
Affordablity thats why people bought VWs and and Japanese cars at first
Dependability thats why people kept buying European and Japanese cars
Dealer after sales support - this is your gold standard - what you tell your friends about
Power
Comfort
And very clever advertising!

And not overpaying the CEOs - spend your money on the men on the line!

dynamho

As long as it's not called a "Probe". The name cracks me up.

"I'll pick you up in my Probe". Hahahaha!

Winfree

Mom says what ever they make it will sell better if thy don't call it a Ford!

andone

yeah basically chickenwafer and winfree are right.

though in my opinion ford could make change accordingliy to the situation and return to black numbers (positive numbers)

basically what they need to do is invest in gas saving cars, bring out new inventions (dont just rebuild the rx8 - to get back to the topic) just surprise the people with something stunning.

of course i see that the f150 is probably a runner in America, also the mustang shouldnt be dropped, since its a major symbol of ford.

but the other cars?

reinvent the focus ! like honda reinvented the civic for example..... that would be interesting. change engines (hybrid, h2o)

stuff like that would help - and not only ford, also gm and chevrolet....

Feras

iTrader: (1)

i'd actually think a 2.3L turbo 4 weighs less than a rotary, it just sits higher in nthe engine compartment. IF mazda made a piston sports coupe expect it to have near 50/50 weight distribution.

Hornet

I'd never want to see a rotary in a Ford badged car! I don't think highly of "purebred" Fords (yes including the Mustangs)! Doesn't make them bad...I just don't like them!

Rhythmic

Ford needs to bring back the Yamaha V6!!! If they built a rear-drive sports car, or sports sedan, and put the Yamaha (from the SHO) in it that would be awesome. That engine was extremely well built and engineered, and can handle LOTS of power when modded. At the risk of being flamed, I would probably prefer this 3.0 or 3.2 liter engine in my 8 over the Renesis! If the SHO was rear drive I might still own one just b/c of the Yamaha.

Hornet

Burn him!

I'm joking...I hope you don't get flamed for thinking that!

Clavius

Would be interesting if they did something like this. Though I would see Ford slapping in a Piston machine over the rotary due to their lack of knowledge of the engine itself. The platform sharing aspect of it all would apeal to ford since it would save them money in development cost's.

Zoom I loved that post ya made with the pictures of the Reflex, definatly resembles the famous kabura. If/when Mazda actually launches this car (still unsure why they havent hinted at it more) I could see ford relaunching the Probe (be definatly rename it Ford please..lol). Hopefully both Mazda and Ford will realize Rear Wheel Drive is back in style.

Winfree

I could see a 'cheap' Ford hybrid - with the new European Standards and the Governator of California asking for "10% less carbon in gasoline"!!!! A cheap hybrid may become a kind of necessity! Make it real pretty outside- and if it's not dependable at least make it instantly replaceable until it's paid off - and even I might try one....