If I were a Mazda exec. what they need to do is simple. Keep up with the Nissan 350Z and class/near class competition.

That means Mazda best be shooting for 300HP on the next go around for rotary engines. Underpower the next rotary = kill rotary line.

There really is no excuse not to give it the power. Come out with an FI version of the NA (if you can't make it to 300HP), 3 rotor, or new technology that allows you to hit the target.

I'm also wondering what Mazda will do with that Kabura concept. What if they put a turbo V6 in it to compete with the 350Z and see where the "chips fall" and how many will defect from the rotary? Of course now you have weight and handling problems when compared to a rotary, but maybe somebody at Mazda will take the gamble.

Mazda made a wonderful little sporty car called the AZ-3/ Eunos Presso, that was lightweight and handled very well, but with a surprising amount of room for a small car. The Eunos Presso had a nice little turbo version. Mazda may very well be thinking to go down this road with their sports car, and see what an "alternative" to its own rotary may do.

 

If they are really updating the Renesis for the 8, it has to be with more power. That's one of the primary ongoing complaints from the complainers. The other is mileage, but since "more power" and "more mileage" are mutually exclusive, I think more power will be more attractive to the US market.

 

I thought the last flash/recall corrected the oil metering system?

 

the kabura was not intended to be that kind of car. the whole purpose of that vehicle was to guage interest in a Mazda branded entry level coupe. Entry level being the operative word. sub 20g starting price.

 

On top of what zoom said, why would there go with a turbo 6 instead of a 4? Where did that even come from? They already put a i4 in the car and on top of that does mazda even have a turbo 6 in their lineup? I think Mazda's plan with that car was to parts share as much as possible to make the "sub $20k" price tag feasible. they are not going to dump a bunch of money into engineering a completely new powerplant for it.

 

LMAO! Honestly, if I had that many issues with the car I would Lemon it and get a new one...LMAO!

Yes I am obsessed.

 

can't wait to see this!

 

WAS? Is this program alive?

 

who knows at this point. lets call it dead until they drop it in a show with some new press release.


or until brenda priddy gets pics.

 

I pray so. Really, I pray so. While we've been waiting it seems other manufacturers may be ready to steal this exact concept. That being the ultra affordable cool looking rwd small car.

Paul.

 

the Kabura could do for Mazda what the Datsun 240 did for Nissan. Bring new buyers to the brand with a cheap, fun, reliable sportscar. If they really pulled off a lighter, hardtop miata coupe with the same drive train, they would have a game changing product on their hands. Honda, Toyota, VW, Subi and GM's hot hatches would have their heads taken clean off with the driving dynamics of the Kabura.

It also fits into the lighter weight, more efficient model that Mazda has going for it.

I've got $23K waiting in escrow for the car as we speak. It would be the first car I would ever consider a sight unseen downpayment on.

 

^as long as it has a rotary in it!

 

The Kabura can do for Mazda what the Miata did for Mazda. You have to move quickly though.

 

^^yes, lets hope they are doing so right now and not wasting any time^

 

^^I'm down wit dat^^

 

The Kabura looks looks like the most likely successor, if only because I find this particular design to be more practical for production than the other concepts Mazda has built.

Keep in mind they schlepped the RX-8 around for a couple of years on the auto show circuit before finally making it available for production.

 

Pick up a copy of Motor Trend from May 2007...

"Hakaze for production...Mazda looked at production potential for the 2006 Detroit show Kabura coupe concept and the Geneva show Hakaze compact coupe-SUV crossover concept, and reports from inside the company indicate the Hakaze has won the day."
-Paul Horrell (Motor Trend)

I wish people would use this forum to share knowledge not opinions...wouldn't that be a nice change...

 

Opinions are a form of knowledge and a forum would be meaningless without user opinions, that's the whole point.

Thanks for the Motor Trend quote though. What does that mean exactly? They had to choose between the two and went with the SUV?

 

I will throw this thought out there...it is ONLY My Opinion....

As we know the ALL NEW Mazda 6 will be shown for the first time at the Frankfurt Motor Show this September (next Month).....SO....

What will we see at the Tokyo Motor Show this October...
Probably the New Mazda 6 Again, BUT........

Will we see "ANYTHING" new in Mazda's Rotary Line up.. AKA RX-8???...
The 40Th Anniversary "Colour" "Exclusive"...Yawn!

Or will it be another 2 years until the next Tokyo Motor Show (2009) to see
"Anything" new in Rotary...Like an ALL new RX-8 Maybe...that is if Mazda Perfects the so-called New Generation Rotary Engine that engineers are burning the midnight oil over...allegedly?

 

ASH8

Would Mazda test run this new generation rotary engine in the old RX8 body before releasing it ?........or possible sell it in 2008 2009 ?

Ben

 

The source that told motor trend that was the President of Mazda Europe. That statement and one he made previously about pusing for it is his way of politiking for his pet project. he thinks Europe needs another small ute. They HAVE, as we have remarked on before, trademarked CX-5 in case the build another crossover/ute. it was thought hte tribute would get that moniker but it hasnt.

 

Testing yes, can not see it being released in any RX-8 ( RX- whatever) before 2011. IF at ALL, I am not that enthusiastic that there is going to be this amazing "breakthrough" on power and emissions and MPG.

Yes, Mazda have said that they are "publicly" committed to the Rotary, they have been for 40 years, they are not going to say anything else when they are making a car that they want to sell for another 3-4 years (the RX-8)..

Does anyone honestly believe the Mazda President is going to say anything else.

 

I can not recall any Mazda Model Made that was at the direction of a "President" of Mazda Europe.

I do not see a need for yet another SUV type vehicle, where is it going to be made...Japan..they already do not have any extra capacity without dropping other models.

 

while this statement was in motortrend, I have heard other "sources" that say the Kabura was greenlighted to production in piston form.

the Kabura is more than just a pipe dream concept. Mazda has publicly stated that they intend to build three cars off the RX8 "platform". They didn't say that to be nice to us car enthusiasts, they said it because financially to get there money out of the investment in the platform, they need to use it in three cars.

I'm withholding judgment on the Kabura until after this years fall auto shows. If we see nothing as far as the Kabura or a prototype car, then I'll believe the concept is dead, until then, I'm just going to hope Mazda doesn't give the world another stupid cute SUV.

 

x2

While its all fun and good to speculate I'm really wondering what the next gen rotary will be, if it even comes to fruition. I'm waiting for the auto shows before I jump on anything.