mjd

I think the article said that they made sure that the engine compartment could house a rotary, so we'll see what happens. Overall I like the design, but I'm not so sure about that back end. Kind of looks like the Crossfire, which is not good, IMO.

zoom44

http://www.carpages.co.uk/mazda/mazd...w-07-03-06.asp

this article states that they are showng Kabura in Geneva. considering that each of Mazda's 3 design centers each showed their concepts on their own turf. and that the Kabura is the only one to travel like this - i would wager it has been green lighted.

RX8_GT

Interesting article - hope your conclusion is correct. I4 or Renesis - it looks like a winner in the small sporty car field. If well under 20K it would get a good marketshare IMO.

DOMINION

Kabura Video!
http://lulop.com/post.php/5760

newcastle

iTrader: (3)

It should be a rotary but they are going to install a 4 in it. Did you guys see the RX-9 with the doors that slide horizontally?

RENESIS_NEENJA

Thank you sir....
You just read my mind besides the rims (which I don't think will ever make production) and the side profile (it's kinda grown on me a little) I still think the damn thing is just plain ugly, and certainly not worthy of the RX-7 badge

RENESIS_NEENJA

RX-9!? are you serious!?......

Raptor2k

...?

newcastle

iTrader: (3)

I was reading a Mrach 05 car magazine at my dentist office and read that the kabura is getting a 4 and I saw a concept RX-9 (that will have a rotary engine) with doors that slide horizontally (like the mini van doors). The magazine has the new camaro on the front cover.........can't remember the name of the magazine.

Raptor2k

Oh ok. I think I saw that article, it was talking about the Senku. It's just a concept, they were trying to catch attention by saying rx-9.

RENESIS_NEENJA

sonsofbitches and their marketing gimmicks....

Spin9k

I like the part where he says it was built to take the rotary. Guess what the 1st thing someone is going to do when Mazda wusses out and they intro this witha 4banger in it? yea...stick in an RENESIS with a turbo and plaster it all over some mag cover.

silverx8

So why not a four cylinder in the RX-8?

RCthrine

I dont think ppl should look at the sales pull but more of the cross platform appeal that tuners and manufacteurers enjoy as far as cost of parts and R&D~ When u have 1 motor in 5 cars, tuning shops ie. HKS etc... only have to develop 1 solution and can sell it across all the platforms for a cheaper price... Look at the vq35 in Nissan's 250z, g35, Armada, etc...

Dont discourage Mazda from keeping the Renesis out of cars because of dmgd sales, but more for the Market development of the Rotory line in general.

I showed an RX-8 to my boss today whose shopping for cars, and he had never even seen the car before, wondered how long they had been out, etc...

If Mazda doesnt encourage and offer Rotory motors accross the board, it will continue to develope mechanically as it has thus far, Where tranditional 4strokes are making leaps and bounds in new tech to increase HP and fuel efficiency, ie. Corvette, Ferrrari f430...

RCthrine

BTW~ Off Topic but another note of encouragement for the Rotory loyalalist...

Since winning the GT cup with the rx-8, Mazda wishes to target the GTS series of LeMans, which includes the likes of the Viper and the Porsche GT3, SO~ Guess what theyre throwing around~ the idea of letting a So Cal local tuning shop notorious for building the Renesis, unnamed however, and building a 20b Renesis turbo. Rumor also suggests that this package might be offered as a Mazdaspeed 8~ If the market shows interests.

You can believe it to be true i read it in either an Automobile or a R&D Mag in the first 20 pages... Saw it at blockbuster while i was waiting in line, and its about 1/5th of the page in a black box if i remember correctly.

What do you say to THAT!

PS. To keep up with a GT3 you need 500 hp =)

rotary crazy

well mazda its allready runing in the GT class of the gran am rolex series with a 20b RX-8 competing with porches gt3, corvettes, pontiac gto, etc.

FlyingLeggs

Sorry if this is a repost. If it's not then no sorry applied and enjoy.
http://car-reviews.automobile.com/Ma...-concept/1669/

BaronVonBigmeat

Hmmm no, it said it's a 3+1. The RX-8 is a 2+2. Which means that either one can carry four people in a pinch. Actually, the Kabura may carry 3 people in greater comfort than an RX-8.

Turbo = expensive, less reliable, bad reputation
3-rotor = more cost, gas guzzler tax
Lighter car to begin with = win

*IF* the car can be made in the 2500 lbs. range...a N/A renesis would move it around quite well. Especially if they could throw in a few tweaks and get it up to 250 hp or so. That would get us 10 lbs./hp. which is on par with FD's, 350Z's, and for that matter, the Lotus Elise.

brillo

i finally read the article, it had some interesting points, and I think that the car will come to production.

the car just smacks of 1st gen RX7, light, cheap, fast simple. I disagree that the next RX7 needs to be even faster than the 3rd gen.( the HP Renesis in this car would get it damn close though) IMO, the 3rd gen was an aboration in Mazda's sports car philosophy, a truely awesome car, but to complex and expensive to really make sense for the average enthusiast.

I can make a car fast. I can't always make one light or handle. Give me a light solid platform, I'll take car of the rest if its not fast enough from the factory.

Gohan

Looks nice, It should have rotary

RCthrine

Cheers to that! Light and Handling with room in the engine bay for my own mods~ thats what im all about, cheaper insurance, less of a "racer" profile... all good!

bwayout

Hey if anyone here is interested in seeing the Kabura actually made ... please drop by

http://www.kaburaforums.com/

... and say hello! Two guys created that forum because they both became huge fans of the Kabura when the first pics were released. It reminds me of the very early days of this site: RX-Evolve/RX-8 forum ... when so many people from all around the world got together with the same interest in seeing the RX-8 get built ...


And sign up and add your voice to the voting poll there...

http://www.kaburaforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11

SureShot

My only styling reservation is the extended windshield. It's a neat idea, but I have crash/rollover/weight concerns.

The MX-5 can still be the leading roadster.
The RX-8 can still be the leading 2+2 sportscar.
The market needs a light affordable 2 (or3) seat hatchback.

My suggestion - Build the Kabura.
Offer a 2-seat, light weight, stick shift, AC optional, performance version, & watch what happens.
Then - after two years - offer the hot renesis option - the Kaubra RX-7

mikeschaefer

Ok here's how my thought process went when I read this thread:

At first I looked at the Kabura and I thought to myself 'Oh my god that is FUGLY. I hope Mazda doesn't make that and if the do I hope it's not rotary.'

Then I saw the pictures posted from the magazine article and saw the silver version that they said the future rx-7 might be based off and it looks MUCH better, very similar to the 8. So you'd have a decent looking 2, maybe 3 seater that is lighter than the 8, looks similar to the 8 and may have the renesis. Sounds like an rx-7 to me! Lightweight rotary 2 seater with great handling! That's the only version I'd trade my 8 in for. If it's anything else I'll pass.

I always liked the FC, but the FD was my favorite. I almost bought an FD except that it had the older, turbo engine. I didn't feel like dealing with even more fuel/oil consumption than with the 8. Plus I'd rather just have a new car. An FD with a renesis and slightly updated interior (maayybe exterior) would the best in my opinion. Put on a small, reliable turbo and even better!

V_for_velocity

With all that glass it had better have industrial strength AC.
But I think I like it.