Mazda wants rotary coupe, convertible
01-20-2003 | 02:33 PM
#1
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Mazda wants rotary coupe, convertible
From http://www.autonews.com
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Mazda Motor Corp. executives are considering variants of the high-performance RX-8 that goes on sale in June. Executives at the vehicle's press introduction said the company wants to build two-seat coupe and convertible versions.
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quick summary, full article for subscribers only.
Mazda Motor Corp. executives are considering variants of the high-performance RX-8 that goes on sale in June. Executives at the vehicle's press introduction said the company wants to build two-seat coupe and convertible versions.
Anyone subscribed to autonews?
01-20-2003 | 03:09 PM
#2
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That's the car I REALLY want: a rotary roadster that is a bit bigger than a Miata. Using the interior of the RX-8, it would be absolutely killer... and on a smaller two-door floorpan without the rear seats, I bet it would be 250 lbs lighter than the RX-8, easily. What a machine it would be!
I'd be willing to wait for it if I knew it was coming or not. Mazda playing their cards so close to their vest is realling pi$$ing me off. I could be happy in an RX-8, but won't give up my Miata to get one. I would gladly trade it in for that rotary roadster, though! If I don't like the RX-8 and there is no rotary convertible on the horizon, I will be picking up a Z4 and I will probably be a lost customer to Mazda. Hope that does not happen.
I'd be willing to wait for it if I knew it was coming or not. Mazda playing their cards so close to their vest is realling pi$$ing me off. I could be happy in an RX-8, but won't give up my Miata to get one. I would gladly trade it in for that rotary roadster, though! If I don't like the RX-8 and there is no rotary convertible on the horizon, I will be picking up a Z4 and I will probably be a lost customer to Mazda. Hope that does not happen.
01-20-2003 | 04:10 PM
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14:25 Jan. 20, 2003)
Mazda considering rotary-powered coupe, convertible variants of RX-8
By MARK RECHTIN | Automotive News
MONTEREY, Calif. -- Mazda Motor Corp. executives are considering variants of the high-performance RX-8 that goes on sale in June.
Executives at the vehicle's press introduction here said the company wants to build two-seat coupe and convertible versions.
The four-door, four-seat RX-8 is an expensive vehicle for Mazda to build. It is based on the only platform that the automaker does not share with parent Ford Motor Co. And the rotary engine is used only in the RX-8.
So the steeper development costs have prompted the company to consider model proliferation, said Joseph Bakaj, Mazda's head of global product development.
"If we get more volume, we amortize quicker. This is an all-new sports car platform with a unique collection of parts. I want to reuse that collection of parts with at least one more derivative," Bakaj (pronouced bah-KYE) said.
One reason the new sports car is called the RX-8 is because it is not a true successor to the RX-7, he said. Such a car would have to be a two-door, two-seat vehicle.
But before Mazda rushes to build another RX-7, Bakaj wants to see how the RX-8 does. Mazda hopes to sell about 18,000 units in the United States in 2003, and 30,000 units annually thereafter. That's a big jump; the previous generation RX-7 never broke 7,000 units.
Bakaj said the RX-8 has higher volume potential than a two-seater because of its easier access and ability to carry more people.
But, he said, Mazda will not proliferate the rotary engine outside any pure sports car applications. That means the Miata won't get it.
"Miata is a brand icon." Bakaj said. "It's simple, light and accessible. If you put the rotary into the Miata, you have to uprate the suspension and brakes, and the price creeps up and out of the sweet spot." He said the rotary engine alone costs about $2,000 more than the Miata's four-cylinder piston engine.
Mazda considering rotary-powered coupe, convertible variants of RX-8
By MARK RECHTIN | Automotive News
MONTEREY, Calif. -- Mazda Motor Corp. executives are considering variants of the high-performance RX-8 that goes on sale in June.
Executives at the vehicle's press introduction here said the company wants to build two-seat coupe and convertible versions.
The four-door, four-seat RX-8 is an expensive vehicle for Mazda to build. It is based on the only platform that the automaker does not share with parent Ford Motor Co. And the rotary engine is used only in the RX-8.
So the steeper development costs have prompted the company to consider model proliferation, said Joseph Bakaj, Mazda's head of global product development.
"If we get more volume, we amortize quicker. This is an all-new sports car platform with a unique collection of parts. I want to reuse that collection of parts with at least one more derivative," Bakaj (pronouced bah-KYE) said.
One reason the new sports car is called the RX-8 is because it is not a true successor to the RX-7, he said. Such a car would have to be a two-door, two-seat vehicle.
But before Mazda rushes to build another RX-7, Bakaj wants to see how the RX-8 does. Mazda hopes to sell about 18,000 units in the United States in 2003, and 30,000 units annually thereafter. That's a big jump; the previous generation RX-7 never broke 7,000 units.
Bakaj said the RX-8 has higher volume potential than a two-seater because of its easier access and ability to carry more people.
But, he said, Mazda will not proliferate the rotary engine outside any pure sports car applications. That means the Miata won't get it.
"Miata is a brand icon." Bakaj said. "It's simple, light and accessible. If you put the rotary into the Miata, you have to uprate the suspension and brakes, and the price creeps up and out of the sweet spot." He said the rotary engine alone costs about $2,000 more than the Miata's four-cylinder piston engine.
01-20-2003 | 05:58 PM
#4
Drive it like U stole it!
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From: Woodbridge, Ontario
Originally posted by DonG35Miata
"Miata is a brand icon." Bakaj said. "It's simple, light and accessible. If you put the rotary into the Miata, you have to uprate the suspension and brakes, and the price creeps up and out of the sweet spot." He said the rotary engine alone costs about $2,000 more than the Miata's four-cylinder piston engine.
"Miata is a brand icon." Bakaj said. "It's simple, light and accessible. If you put the rotary into the Miata, you have to uprate the suspension and brakes, and the price creeps up and out of the sweet spot." He said the rotary engine alone costs about $2,000 more than the Miata's four-cylinder piston engine.
I am not suggesting that they scrap the Miata but compliment it with a rotary roadster. Also, I also do not believe that they would have any problems finding customers for that little rotary gem.
Last edited by ZoomZoom; 01-20-2003 at 07:27 PM.
01-20-2003 | 07:06 PM
#5
Originally posted by ZoomZoom
That may be true but do they realize how much people would be willing to pay for it?
That may be true but do they realize how much people would be willing to pay for it?
Mazda need a year (or 2) to gauge public reaction to the RX-8 before dumping further money into the program.
01-20-2003 | 07:28 PM
#6
Drive it like U stole it!
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From: Woodbridge, Ontario
Originally posted by ZoomZoomH
not nearly as many as the number of people that are willing to pay, or have paid, a lot less for a Miata, the best selling roadster, EVER.
Mazda need a year (or 2) to gauge public reaction to the RX-8 before dumping further money into the program.
not nearly as many as the number of people that are willing to pay, or have paid, a lot less for a Miata, the best selling roadster, EVER.
Mazda need a year (or 2) to gauge public reaction to the RX-8 before dumping further money into the program.
The point I was trying to make was that I believe there is a market out there that only Mazda can fulfill - a rotary roadster. However, I do agree with you that Mazda should first test the public’s love affair with the rotary engine with the RX-8. Then let Mazda bring on the all new RX-7 and rotary roadster.
Can you spell RX-5?
01-20-2003 | 07:58 PM
#7
uhhhhh....hello?
Joined: Dec 2002
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hows bouts...
How about the Miata R or Miata-R
R for ROTORY!!!!!!! blaHAHAHAHAHAHAHa
my that car would be a killer especially if they have the backbone going through and separating the 2 seats.....mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm 6 speed of course! maybe a highly limited production?
________
MERCEDES-BENZ 280 HISTORY
R for ROTORY!!!!!!! blaHAHAHAHAHAHAHa
my that car would be a killer especially if they have the backbone going through and separating the 2 seats.....mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm 6 speed of course! maybe a highly limited production?
________
MERCEDES-BENZ 280 HISTORY
Last edited by P00Man; 04-16-2011 at 05:20 PM.
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