Confirmed RX- 9 in winding road?
12-30-2007 | 09:17 AM
#51
Other sites are reporting that this is the RX-9 but I have a sneaking suspicion that this is the 19k base price Aston clone Mazda (a derivative of the Ford Reflex concept car) was showing focus group attendees in late 2005.
Let me refresh your memory below…
From 2005:
AUTO SPIES WORLD EXCLUSIVE- $19,000 Aston Martin clone in development from Mazda?
I think I may have uncovered the hottest scoop of the year.
Last week at a super-secret focus group location in Hollywood, I got a glimpse of one of the hottest little sport coupes I’ve seen in a long time.
It was only shown in concept form but boy was this thing hot!
Imagine a cross between the RX-8 and the Aston Martin DB9 but in a much smaller package.
From the side and rear view it is pure Aston and from the front it’s a more radical RX-8.
It has big bulging front wheel surrounds.
Even more pronounced than the RX-8.
In the same room with the new little coupe, were the potential competitors surrounding it.
The Acura TSX, Scion TC, Honda Civic, Mazda RX-8, Mazda Miata, Mitsubishi Eclipse and the G35 coupe rounded out the list.
They were looking for customer feedback about the pros and cons of each cars interiors and exteriors.
Needless to say, the new Coupe made EVERY car look obsolete except the G35 coupe.
The G is not as cool looking but it is more refined, elegant and looks more expensive.
But this new coupe, which we will coin the code name of DB1 from this point forward, really made the biggest statement.
Even though it is still in concept form (not even a working mockup) I was able to get the exact specs:
4 cyl. 2.0 liter engine
161 HP
129 Torque
2436 lbs.
18” tires
Aside from the radically cool design a few totally new features were being tested to see if there was interest from consumers.
One was the fact that it is the first car I know of where the front and rear passenger seats were WIDER than the driver and rear drivers side passenger seat.
The reason for this was two-fold.
The front seat back folded forward turning the front seat into a mini table or foot ottoman for the rear seat passenger.
Plus the rear passenger seat reclined.
Finally, the front windshield went back halfway across the whole roof (like a combo pano windshield roof) and there was a pop up spoiler above the rear window.
But the best part was the base price they were projecting of between $18-$20K!
Any negatives?
The only one I could see is that anyone over 6’2” won’t find much room in this compact coupe.
It was WAY smaller inside than the Civic’s, Scion, TSX, etc.
But it was one GORGEOUS design!!!!
I’ll pass along more details as I get them from my mole within Mazda.
- Gary D.
Let me refresh your memory below…
From 2005:
AUTO SPIES WORLD EXCLUSIVE- $19,000 Aston Martin clone in development from Mazda?
I think I may have uncovered the hottest scoop of the year.
Last week at a super-secret focus group location in Hollywood, I got a glimpse of one of the hottest little sport coupes I’ve seen in a long time.
It was only shown in concept form but boy was this thing hot!
Imagine a cross between the RX-8 and the Aston Martin DB9 but in a much smaller package.
From the side and rear view it is pure Aston and from the front it’s a more radical RX-8.
It has big bulging front wheel surrounds.
Even more pronounced than the RX-8.
In the same room with the new little coupe, were the potential competitors surrounding it.
The Acura TSX, Scion TC, Honda Civic, Mazda RX-8, Mazda Miata, Mitsubishi Eclipse and the G35 coupe rounded out the list.
They were looking for customer feedback about the pros and cons of each cars interiors and exteriors.
Needless to say, the new Coupe made EVERY car look obsolete except the G35 coupe.
The G is not as cool looking but it is more refined, elegant and looks more expensive.
But this new coupe, which we will coin the code name of DB1 from this point forward, really made the biggest statement.
Even though it is still in concept form (not even a working mockup) I was able to get the exact specs:
4 cyl. 2.0 liter engine
161 HP
129 Torque
2436 lbs.
18” tires
Aside from the radically cool design a few totally new features were being tested to see if there was interest from consumers.
One was the fact that it is the first car I know of where the front and rear passenger seats were WIDER than the driver and rear drivers side passenger seat.
The reason for this was two-fold.
The front seat back folded forward turning the front seat into a mini table or foot ottoman for the rear seat passenger.
Plus the rear passenger seat reclined.
Finally, the front windshield went back halfway across the whole roof (like a combo pano windshield roof) and there was a pop up spoiler above the rear window.
But the best part was the base price they were projecting of between $18-$20K!
Any negatives?
The only one I could see is that anyone over 6’2” won’t find much room in this compact coupe.
It was WAY smaller inside than the Civic’s, Scion, TSX, etc.
But it was one GORGEOUS design!!!!
I’ll pass along more details as I get them from my mole within Mazda.
- Gary D.
12-30-2007 | 09:33 AM
#52
Momentum Keeps Me Going
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,036
Likes: 4
From: Colorado
....
...from the weight mentioned it sounds more based on the MX-5 platform.
That's not what it means. "Poor man's Aston" means an Aston Martin-like alternative for the "poor man". Kind of like how some Subarus have on occasion been called a "poor man's Porsche" or "poor man's BMW".
I don't see anything in the article implying that it is an Aston Martin, just that it looks like an Aston Martin. In fact, in two places it is referred to as a 'clone':
I don't see anything in the article implying that it is an Aston Martin, just that it looks like an Aston Martin. In fact, in two places it is referred to as a 'clone':
12-30-2007 | 01:59 PM
#53
i pwn therefore i am
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 2
From: Delaware, USA
Everything about that post is the Kabura. Even the specs and price.
12-30-2007 | 04:15 PM
#54
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From: Santiago, Dominican Republic
Are you sure of that RC my friend.
The 1973-1975 929 in OZ was called the RX-4 12A and then 13B
1975-82 ish 121 and 121L (Landau) was the RX-5 13B
The larger bodied 929L 2.0L, Rotary version was JDM only, again the Cosmo.
Then the 929 2.0 litre with new engine design had no rotary only in JDM, that was
called the Cosmo (4 and 2 door pillar-less hardtop) with 13B turbo FI actually saw one in their front reception when I toured the Hiroshima factory.
Then the RX-7 series.
The larger bodied 929 Sedan and Hardtop V6 series until late 1991.
AFAIK there was never an RX-9.
The 1973-1975 929 in OZ was called the RX-4 12A and then 13B
1975-82 ish 121 and 121L (Landau) was the RX-5 13B
The larger bodied 929L 2.0L, Rotary version was JDM only, again the Cosmo.
Then the 929 2.0 litre with new engine design had no rotary only in JDM, that was
called the Cosmo (4 and 2 door pillar-less hardtop) with 13B turbo FI actually saw one in their front reception when I toured the Hiroshima factory.
Then the RX-7 series.
The larger bodied 929 Sedan and Hardtop V6 series until late 1991.
AFAIK there was never an RX-9.
Thats all I could find rigth now but I have more info at work including where it was sold and some printed manuals
12-30-2007 | 04:51 PM
#55
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 782
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From: Sydney, Australia
The original Mazda RX-9
1978 - 1981
Sold in "general release" countries as RX-9
Sold in Japan as Luce
BTW, this "so-called RX-9" looks like an updated pic from that Japanese SCOOP magazine back in 2005. Back then it was called an RX-3.............
REgards
1978 - 1981
Sold in "general release" countries as RX-9
Sold in Japan as Luce
BTW, this "so-called RX-9" looks like an updated pic from that Japanese SCOOP magazine back in 2005. Back then it was called an RX-3.............
REgards
12-30-2007 | 05:20 PM
#56
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10,869
Likes: 327
From: Australia
http://www.rotary-world.de/html/luce_legato_rx-9.html
Thats all I could find rigth now but I have more info at work including where it was sold and some printed manuals
Thats all I could find rigth now but I have more info at work including where it was sold and some printed manuals
So that link above is somewhat confusing.
"Mazda Luce Legato RX-9 LA22S/LA33S"
The LA22S is a 12A RX-4 or Luce, the LA23S is the 13B RX-4 Version or Luce.
The LA33S? must be this RX-9 Luce which is a much larger car
As we know Mazda JDM used the Luce and Cosmo for so many of their models,
like Familia, Capella, Savana ETC.
The Axela, and Atenza is a their latest small car names, interesting Mazda JDM does not have a "name" for the RX-8, just called the RX-8.
But yes I agree with DHRM ^^
Last edited by ASH8; 12-30-2007 at 09:37 PM.
12-30-2007 | 05:34 PM
#58
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Joined: Apr 2005
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Likes: 327
From: Australia
Like the Parts Book ^^^ ..
Yeah, I remember that beast was not sold in OZ, only as the 929L. 4 Banger.
My old man bought a new one!
Addison Motors was the importer here in my state (SA) before GWA (Mazda NSW and QLD) briefly took control, then the factory Mazda Australia took over in the hard days. (When our dollar was floated)... no one wanted a new Mazda.
Anyway, Albert Addes (Addison Motors) Imported two from the JDM factory the rotary version. It was just called a Luce.
Last time I saw it was 1991....still running.
Yeah, I remember that beast was not sold in OZ, only as the 929L. 4 Banger.
My old man bought a new one!
Addison Motors was the importer here in my state (SA) before GWA (Mazda NSW and QLD) briefly took control, then the factory Mazda Australia took over in the hard days. (When our dollar was floated)... no one wanted a new Mazda.
Anyway, Albert Addes (Addison Motors) Imported two from the JDM factory the rotary version. It was just called a Luce.
Last time I saw it was 1991....still running.
12-30-2007 | 05:35 PM
#59
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 782
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From: Sydney, Australia
Pictures speak a thousand words.
Here is the Japanese SCOOP magazine article from 2005. Not able to translate but the pics speaks the words. However in the top I think it said scheduled for an OCT-07 release.........lol
Looks similar to this "So-called" RX-9
REgards
Here is the Japanese SCOOP magazine article from 2005. Not able to translate but the pics speaks the words. However in the top I think it said scheduled for an OCT-07 release.........lol
Looks similar to this "So-called" RX-9
REgards
12-30-2007 | 09:12 PM
#61
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10,869
Likes: 327
From: Australia
OK...
Did a search on Mazda Media Japan for the RX-9, Nothing came up.
Only the Luce in 2 and 4 door Hardtops (no door window frames) and 4 Sedans.
I have seen the smaller Luce 4 door hardtop with Turbo when I visited factory in the early 80's.
This car unfortunately never came to Australia or America as Rotaries were exclusively used in Sports cars aka RX-7 for almost all export markets.
Also..
Did a search on Mazda Media Europe's site and again No RX-9?, only Luce?, so I do not know what country (appears Germany?) imported them as RX-9's, they (RX-9) were not available in Great Britain.
Here are some thumbnails pics from Mazda Europe on all the Luce's they list in their Rotary History section.
I thought I would add one of a racing 110S and the 787B, both are available in a high res.
Did a search on Mazda Media Japan for the RX-9, Nothing came up.
Only the Luce in 2 and 4 door Hardtops (no door window frames) and 4 Sedans.
I have seen the smaller Luce 4 door hardtop with Turbo when I visited factory in the early 80's.
This car unfortunately never came to Australia or America as Rotaries were exclusively used in Sports cars aka RX-7 for almost all export markets.
Also..
Did a search on Mazda Media Europe's site and again No RX-9?, only Luce?, so I do not know what country (appears Germany?) imported them as RX-9's, they (RX-9) were not available in Great Britain.
Here are some thumbnails pics from Mazda Europe on all the Luce's they list in their Rotary History section.
I thought I would add one of a racing 110S and the 787B, both are available in a high res.
Last edited by ASH8; 12-30-2007 at 09:21 PM.
12-30-2007 | 09:29 PM
#62
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10,869
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From: Australia
Some countries can request production models with their naming of choice, one comes recently to mind.
The latest Japanese made Mazda MPV, the only other country I know imports this MPV is Hong Kong where they have named it the
Mazda 8, interesting as they also import the RX-8.
"Now what Mazda do you want that headlight for mate, a Mazda 8 or RX-8? " Ummm, Derrr
The latest Japanese made Mazda MPV, the only other country I know imports this MPV is Hong Kong where they have named it the
Mazda 8, interesting as they also import the RX-8.
"Now what Mazda do you want that headlight for mate, a Mazda 8 or RX-8? " Ummm, Derrr
12-31-2007 | 06:39 PM
#68
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From: Sydney, Australia
The LA43S RX-9 was sold for 4-years
78-79 - series-I
80-81 - series-II
The above pics I posted are the series-II version.
It was sold as the RX-9 & Luce at the same time. Luce name tag was for the Japanese domestic market.
History lesson...............
Back in 1977 when the "export" naming decisions where required for the new 78 models coming out. The logic was to match the rotary & piston names.
EG, 626 + RX-6
EG, 929 + RX-9
History shows us they dropped the rotary version on the 626 late in the development stage leaving the rotary option for a more upmarket choice.
REgards
Last edited by DMRH; 12-31-2007 at 06:41 PM.
01-03-2008 | 04:10 PM
#70
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From: Lewisville, TX
01-03-2008 | 06:11 PM
#73
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From: Toronto, Canada
Last edited by Renesis_8; 09-11-2011 at 03:10 PM.
