From Media Mazda:

Japan, December 13, 2005. Mazda Motor Corporation will showcase the world premiere of the Mazda KABURA compact sports coupe concept vehicle, and the all-new Mazda CX-7, a crossover sports-utility-vehicle (SUV), at the 2006 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), to be held in Detroit from Sunday, January 8 through Sunday, January 22, 2006.

Joining them on the Mazda stand will be a Mazda5 Hydrogen RE Hybrid concept vehicle -- powered by a RENESIS hydrogen rotary dual-fuel-engine that can use hydrogen or gasoline, and offering both Zoom-Zoom driving pleasure and outstanding eco-friendliness. A Mazda Tribute Hybrid will also be shown.

Mazda will hold a press briefing at the Mazda stand from 5:05 to 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, January 8, 2006.


Mazda KABURA

Mazda KABURA, a compact sports coupe, is a concept car designed at Mazda's design center in California. KABURA is the third design concept vehicle from Mazda following Mazda SASSOU (designed at Mazda's European Design Center) and Mazda SENKU (designed at Mazda's Yokohama R&D Center near Tokyo), each reflecting the global influences that Mazda chief designers can draw from.

With a compact body, the Mazda KABURA sports coupe is a vehicle that combines the pleasures of sports car driving with functionality. With a rear-drive powertrain that elicits dynamic styling and a wide range of utilities on board, it was designed for first new car buyers who love to drive. KABURA is a concept car that embodies the highest elements of Mazda's Zoom-Zoom ethos.
"KABURA" is a Japanese term taken from "Kabura-ya", an arrow that makes a sound when fired and was used to signal the start of a battle. The "first arrow into battle" depicts Mazda's spirit of pursuing unique and exciting ventures.

 

Can a mod move to media news?

 

Thansk for the info...but I wish there was a better pic.

Anyway...

To Mazda:

Make our 8 better and stop ignoring the car, if it fails it's no ones fault but Mazda's...dang it, all this time and effort into everything but our great 8!!!

 

Yeah, I wish there were more pics but I think this could be what many spoke of about a rwd coupe in focus groups. We will see more as the NAIS rolls around.

 

That's definitely the focus group car from all that I've heard from all my sources. I guess it's probably still going to debut with a piston motor. As a staunch Mazda supporter and die-hard rotary fan I'm torn between emotions but I guess excitement is the over-riding one.
Paul.

 

I am with you Mazmart. I would LOVE for it to have a Rotary engine but that fact that it is a entry level aimed coupe with RWD, I cannot complain. You just don't have that in this (or aimed) market. Correct me if I am wrong but the roadsters don't count.

 

Couldn't agree more...

If anyone comes up with better shots or more info, post 'em up!

 

I'll be shocked if there are better shots to be seen until Mazda deems it the appropriate time.
Paul.

 

Huh? Are you saying that your RX-8 will fail because Mazda isn't fixing issues, or the model will be dropped due to lack of sales? I don't think Mazda ever intended the RX-8 to be a long term product- but instead just the test bed to reintroduce the rotary engine to the market, to help make the market more comfortable with the reliability and performance of this engine design with a vague past- which I think it has done very well. Does this mean I think Mazda will drop the RX-8? Well, probably not. The platform can easily handle a lot more power, so I expect a FI version eventually. Heck, even a three rotor based on the Renesis would be nice. But I notice Mazda is using the 20B in racing again (Speed GT class?), which makes me wonder if they are planning to reintroduce a version of that engine to the market.

Anyways- if Mazda stops making the RX-8, then my car will be even more rare. (shrig) Oh well.

As far as the Kabura- I suspect it will be similar to the Sassou concept.

 

boring

 

The RX-8 was intended to have at least 2 life cycles. I know this because my boss was corresponding with an engineer buddy of his in Japan who was working on the transmission for the second gen version back in 03. They are running 3 rotors because that's what will make them somewhat competitive. I'd love to see a 3 rotor renesis but it's not going to happen anywhere in the forseeable future. Thank God the Kabura will NOT look like the Sassou.
Paul.

 

I need to clarify what I just said. They are running 3 rototrs in RACING form. Don't want to start any new ridiculous rumors.
Paul.

 

acording to the people that went to the focus group the car its not going to look anything like the sassou

I hope mazda reconsiders and give this car a rotary if it's ever going to see production

 

some folks might have missed the concept drawing posted with the article. i know i did. in case the link goes down again for clarity here is the drawing..

 

Come on cheap rwd Japanese coupe! My 240SX needs replacing!

 

im tryign to get some more sketches cant promise anything

 

thanks!

 

no go so far

This is the only available image
Regards
xxxx xxxxxxx

Director, Corporate Public Relations

 

This is killing me! That sketch is such a tease, even more so than Nissan's teaser GT-R sketches. At least there were 2 of those and with better angles to get a good idea of what the GT-R would look like.

 

I read the new Speed GT RX-8 has a three rotor 20B engine. Is that not the old engine?

 

I would imagine people will run 'homemade peripheral' port 20Bs and the more priviledged may get to run a 13G (Factory 3 rotor peri port). The neat thing is that some of the 'homemade ones will use Renesis rotors.
Paul.

 

This is just my opinion but there is no point in looking at another small sports car from Mazda if it isn't rotary powered. I'm not excited. I'd rather just see a coupe and a convertible Miata if all they want is a coupe small sports car. That makes more sense. If this had a rotary I'd strongly consider it as a car I'd buy (assuming it isn't butt ugly). Without the rotary, I don't care.

RX-8 sales are not weak. The car is not doing badly. It never has. For this reason alone it isn't in "need" of improvement. We may want it though. It is not in danger of going away any time soon. It has already sold more than all the 3rd gen RX-7's did worldwide in 4 times the lifespan. Sorry to get off topic. I just hate seeing people constantly saying the car isn't doing well. It is.

 

So far I think this design sucks. Notice the signature "Franz" on the side. It is short for Franz Von Holzhausen, who designed the Saturn Sky, and indeed, this looks like he simply drew a picture of the Sky and put a Mazda logo on the front. Weak. Very, very weak.

Mazda REALLY needs to bring back the guy who designed the FD for their new sports car. Their design philosophy back then was for a timeless design that would look good 20 years down the road. They should return to that philosophy instead of this trendy, disposable GM trash.

 

That hatch looks like an anime Focus.

I'd like to see a fwd Renesis powered car. If only for when I get around to building my mid-rear car I'll have a proper drivetrain readily available.

 

The guy who designed the FD is still with them; thank God. I saw him when I was out in Irvine. Someone pointed him out to me. He's a large guy.
Paul.