WOOHOO! page 8!

The first RX-7 was ~2300lbs. The current fully loaded MX-5 weighs 2500 lbs

And I don't think a pure sports car is out of the question. The "barren" MX-5 when it first came out in late 80s didn't have all the gadgets the competitors had or the horsepower, but it was a smash. The first RX-7 was the same way. It just has to be enjoyable and priced right.

 

I wouldn't be too sure about the direction of future Mazda cars. Look at the Mazda 2, the coming new Mazda 6...both lighter than their respective previous models. If their is anything that sets Mazda's cars apart from others...it's their fanatical quest to shave pounds or as they say grams off every component. They say it in their press releases, they know it is the easiest way to increased performance and higher mileage AT THE SAME TIME!

Others rely on more HP, bigger displacement and more structure for better performance and higher stiffness.... increasing weight, and diminishing the performance of all that fancy engineering and more power.

High strength steel, alumiinum, and plastics combined with single-minded engineering dedication can reduce weight if applied correctly, of course at a cost in $$, but it's plain to see that Mazda is feverishly working in that direction.

 

Exactly what is the weight of the new Mazda 6? And how much lighter is it than the old one? Does anyone know at this point?

I'll bet the new car will be marginally lighter, around 60 lbs or so. Mazda can then say bigger yet lighter.

 

I will cop that.. but they ARE two different time periods and events, and I am not trying to claim anything..that is your interpretation.

Its was only last month that an Australian Dealers Service guys where I once worked said that the RENESIS and Rotary is dead, because all of the "so called" reliability issues with the RENESIS...that is it. This was from a Service Managers meeting hosted by Mazda Australia which is Owned by Mazda Japan.. Their words that Mazda was pulling the plug not mine.

Whatever Mazda does in the near future any so called "larger" engine will have to have a lot more than "extra HP" going for it, and then there is the production and tooling cost for another so called "clean sheet design".

It is a huge financial gamble and I am just not sure if it will pay.
Its is the price of crude which also concerns me.

Interesting times ahead...the rumored new RX-8 next year IMO will have little change to the Engina...

 

I think it's the price of crude that Mazda is counting on to ensure the rotary's success. As the only engine capable of running on Hydrogen and gasoline they are working to develop a platform that will make them the front runner in a multi-fuel economey.

 

I know it's clearly possible, I just don't see it happening. I mean, I don't have some math formula I can give you. It's just my prediction. When I see a comparably priced rotary car that can run mid 4 seconds 0-60 I will be amazed.

 

Possibly so, but at the moment which country has easy access to "Hydro Filling Stations"...none that I am aware of.
The Hydro Hybrid RENESIS promoted by Mazda Japan (RX-8) at the moment has around 50% less (HP) power than when running on everyday gas and a Hydro Tank Mileage Range of about 100 Ks or 60 Miles.!

I would think that at least 50-60% of all vehicle manufacturers would have to have hydro fueled passengers cars in the pipeline for any viable investment in Hydro Stations.....

Just to add one thing....I am as keen as most for Mazda to continue with their Rotary as there is nothing as unique as a rotary powered car.

 

Those pictures on the first page are obviously fake. Here is a picture of what the "final" concept should look..

 

That's pretty sad, bulbous front w/that stupid grin grill, too big wheels, bathtub side visibility. Looks like a cartoon car

 

^ 2 seater eclipse.

 

22 lbs is heavy as hell. I doropped 6lbs off of each corner by swapping to SSR's in the same size. Mazda can certainly do the same.

 

yeah it does resemble one...but i bet you that it doesn't even weight half as much as an eclipse..hahahahaha

btw, where is that picture from?

 

hydrogen filling stations ... plainview ny and soon to long island arounf exit 50

 

I actually like it. Just clean it up a bit and it looks like it would clean the Cayman's clocks....

 

Where in the hell did you get that picture? Is it a real concept at a real car show? Did you photoshop it?

That POS does not share the "design language" from any other Mazda concept. You photoshopped it, didn't you?

 

+1
where did you get it? EXPLAIN

 

+2

I've never seen that pic before but I kinda like the design. All 2 seater there

 

Whoever said the rotary is dead, is an idiot. Tell them I said so!

You'll see the new 1.55L engine next month.

 

rotary is dead......

just to confirm I am an idiot

 

lol!

 

I like the Kabura better than the car in that pic.

 

rotary is not dead. just to confirm i'm not an idiot

 

I'm looking forward to this release. I'm doing a couple mind experiments trying to picture how the 'long' stroke will increase its dimensions and in what area. First guess is same width with an overall larger rotor, longer combustion face, wider housings for the slightly larger path it will be riding which eguals a taller engine.

I'm thinking this will have more travel time between next combustion cycles which will lead to more energy from the first combustion to transfer (aka more torque), but this will most likely lead to a lower redline. Figure the disp up around 16% i'd guess the redline to drop to about 7500.

But who knows, i could be an idiot.

 

im not gonna start reading 8 pages of a bunch of ppls specualtion....someone cliff notes this sucker for me.....

longer rotors? 1.5l what the hell?

 

You have to remember that this current motor was benched up to ~12-13,000 by Mazda according to some reports. So even if the theoretical top RPM drops it may not make (much of) a difference in redline put into effect in the production car/motor.