Given that the car had what sounds like large interior space for its size, given how small you say it is and that its RWD, one could think it might be a rotary engine. Look at the miata layout as an example of a small piston driven car. Much larger engine, much less cabin space. Did the car have a big transmission tunnel like the rx8 or miata?

 

Not that I remember.


I think that this may be the North American version of the Senku, If you read thae article above you'll see that it says North America will have a differnt version with it's own styling. -Just a thought.

http://www.dexigner.com/product/news-g5302.html

 

mazda nows it does not have the market for a 45,000 sports car and if they make a car to have the rx-7 name it wont be short change! it most be a no compromise sports car.

mazda wants to reach the kids that are starting college an can affort a sub 20,000 car an introduce them to the rotary, this kids in the future will buy 45,000 rx-7's.

this car will be avelible in rotary and piston power with exterior cosmetics changes , it is heavely base on the mx-5 and the rx-8 2,500 to 2,600 lbs and the top of the line( mazdaspeed) will be a hi power renesis but will cost as much as an rx-8, but will be faster.

2600 lbs and the same engine as an rx-8 it will have the same performance as an fd rx-7

another thyn to consider is that the renesis asembly plant was runig full swing but now production has slow down so a second model can be introduce.

sorry for the bad english :o

 

Rotary crazy,
You can use any english you want as long as your information is correct and you keep saying exciting things such as these.
Paul.

 

Maybe is just an MX-5 coupe?

 

so far my source has not let me down.

 

just to be clear, the body shape is more akin to the FD or Aston Martin DB7 rather than the BMW Mcoupe or Mazda3 hatch correct? I'm trying to imagine the back half of the car.

 

Wonderful

 

I wonder if this car is simply the Miata coupe that Road & Track talked about a few issues ago. They said it would be M-coupe like, which would explain the mystery car's resemblance to the coupe/wagon shape of the Senku. The artist renderings also showed a slightly different front on the car from the normal Miata, which would explain why it was obviously a Mazda but maybe not recognizable as a Miata. Just some guessing…

 

It's a four seater. How is that like the Miata? Maybe the same engine?

 

One thing is clear, this are really exciting times to be a rotary car enthusiast, rotarys making there mark on the racing world, rotary conceps showing up at shows, the rx-8 in the streets, etc.

In the late 90 we had almost nothing.

 

Right. I forgot about the back seats mentioned.

 

mazda is goin to show 4 world premier prototype cars in tokyo , the senku the new MPV the hidrogen rotary mazda5 and the other? :D

http://www.tokyo-motorshow.com/show/...ts/index.shtml

 

Interesting points you've brought up.. I can see mazda offering a platform that can use the rotary/piston engine.

Think of it like a business man, why the hell would you produce a product that can only be used in one vehicle. If Mazda can prove to the masses that a NA rotary is just as good if not better than a piston engine why not offer it in more vehicles? (I know they've only had one vehicle with the rotaries, but i think they want to make much more than previous generations of the RX vehicles)

Most people are shying away from rotary engines because of the rx7 days, and technically the rx8 is still a niche vehicle(Sports car, Rotary). Imagine all mazda3's came with a rotary engine, do you think all mazda3 sales will stop because people are scared?? Probaly not, but people will have to be educated about the rotary and will need time to accept this new concept(ie. RX8). I think it's happening right now considering the people who drive 8's (clearly a lot of NON-Enthusist drivers). I suspect over the next few years we'll start to see more of the rotaries in mazda's line up, at least offered as a variant..

All my points are pure speculation, but it makes sense.. at least to me it does


MrJynx

 

thats why mazda is desining a front wheel drive rotary, so they can put rotarys in everything they built.

imagine a 4wd 3 rotor mazda 6 now that wold be hot

 

I can tell you that those pictures don't on the front page don't look anything liek the thing at the focus group.... it was freaking hot.. imagine rx8 front end.. but beefier hood... same sort of grill.. and shapes... the back is rounded out more... probably a hatchback design... couldn't tell from concept... sort of like m coupe back... very smooth and stylish

i'm pretty sure its not an aston martin... its most likely a new mazda 3 coupe or something

 

I love it when Im right! :D

A mini RX-8 along the lines of the MX-3 - that's the tantalizing description of a car Mazda will unveil at the North American International Auto Show in January.



Journalists at this week's Tokyo event were given a sneak preview of the vehicle, in the form of a grainy sketch that appeared on a presentation screen for a few seconds. Little official information is available. However, company insiders have hinted the two-seater concept points the way to a production model that will hit showrooms around 2008.



The newcomer is being designed and developed by Mazda North America, based in Irvine, Calif. "It's an exciting continuation of the Mazda DNA with an understanding of the market place and what it wants," said director Franz von Holzhausen.

http://www.thecarconnection.com/Auto...291.A9488.html

 

I want that sketch!!!!!!!!


Please

 

could ANYONE that was at the focus group, that has any sort of artistic talent, do a quick sketch of what you saw at the focus group???? PLEAAAASE???

 

I'm still not clear on the focus group car, was it a fast back coupe rear (like the previous RX7's) or a hatchback like the BMW Mcoupe / Mazda3 hatch rear?

god, I hope its not a Mcoupe design. I don't like that look.

 

that's why we need a sketch!!!!!!!!!!!!111111

 

From Car and Driver

http://www.caranddriver.com/article....ticle_id=10205

Like the current RX-8, the Senku is described as “a four-seater rotary sports car for adults” and is a possible design direction for a future RX-8. Innovations are large “flying wing” electric sliding doors, a hybrid powerplant — a rotary engine boosted by an electric motor — and a dual-clutch seven-speed transmission. The components are optimally mounted for a 50/50 weight distribution.

 

Again.....the senku looks NOTHING like the car at the focus group. IMO, the focus group car looked much much cooler.....and it looked like a real car....not a concept car.

 

I hope it looks like a aston martin vantage with a mazdaspeed rx-8 front

 

^mattzen can you do a quick sketch of what you saw? doesn't have to be professional looking, just like a profile shape would be great :D

well draw some wheels too so it looks like a car :D