particleeffect

naturally i'd assume they collected data from both japan and the US about what to do with the next generation rx7. but where did most of the design take place?

spekdah

dunno, but what I do know is the look they were going for was a ' water running over a stone' effect.

RX7SpiritR

iTrader: (1)

It was designed in Hiroshima, Japan.

jimlab

It was built in Hiroshima, but it was designed by Mazda's U.S. design team in California according to Yamaguchi's book, IIRC.

RX7SpiritR

iTrader: (1)

?? really?

jimlab

Yes, really.

RX7SpiritR

iTrader: (1)

wow I learn new things all the time.

akiratdk

It was designed by a Pasadena Art Center College of Design student in Cali. I'm a car design major in this school so that is what the upper term students told me....

diablone

iTrader: (2)

Some further information on the designer.

http://cardesignerart.com/products.a...C37&openID=C37
http://cardesignerart.com/products.a...=C7&openID=C37

jimlab

Key points...

Bachelor's degree in Transportation Design from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California

Lead Designer at Mazda R&D in Irvine, California

blueskaterboy

that's right designed by a chinese guy!

jimlab

Well, that borders on being a racist remark, but thanks for joining the conversation nonetheless. I don't know what we would have done without that tidbit of information...

Yes, you were probably just trying to be funny, however I don't give a **** what your motive was. Your brain still should have kicked in before you hit the submit buton.

PVerdieck

OK.
Hiroshima, Yokohama, MANA (Mazda Automotive NA?) and John Shute's IAD in England were developing designs. After looking at 9 concepts, they went with 2, one by Jun Okazaki (Hiroshima) and one by Wu-Huang Chin(NAMA). Final models of both were made, the chose Chin's, but also appreciated elements of Okazaki's, and wanted them built into the other design.

This, and more should be legible starting in the 3rd image

Here you go:

XSTransAm

Anyone ever heard of the mazda DISC-II rotary. (direct injection stratified charge) It has a pretty cool looking rotor and some neat economic advances.

Anyone know anything about this one and why it was abondaned?

Also just a neat little bit of info. In the 1973 paris auto show, chevy had a prototype corvette that used a 4 rotor and was meant for production but failed because of the new emmisions.

particleeffect

ahh, thanks for the input guys.

the_glass_man

iTrader: (2)

I have a good page or two from my RX-7 book I'll post someday.

Section8

iTrader: (6)

I agree maybe some more thought should have been put into that post, but my original take was he was surpised that the designer was not Japanese.

blueskaterboy

yes i was quite surprised to find that such a car was designed by a chinese guy in california, not a japanese guy in japan. it is almost ironic.

i think most of are used to jim though. if he didnt make some sort of sarcastic disparagement every so often we'd all be a little worried about him.

jimlab

But is it really so surprising that the final design for a Japanese car was produced by someone who wasn't Japanese? After all, most corporate branches or divisions are not made up of people of only one nationality, especially those based in the U.S.

jimlab

Ironic because you believed the RX-7 was a purely Japanese-designed and -influenced car? Talent isn't bound by nationality, and any company which wishes to remain prosperous isn't going to let something like that limit them from recruiting the best people they can find.

BTW, If you had included some sort of explanation with your original comment we wouldn't be having this conversation.

adam c

iTrader: (2)

I don't see that remark as remotely close to being racist. He is surprised that a chinese guy made the design. How is that racist?

Maybe your brain should have kicked in before you hit the submit button

scratchjunkie

all the finalized decisions for the 3rd gen was made by a japanese guy

ptrhahn

iTrader: (9)

A lot of car companies maintain their own design studios in california and/or outsource the design to independent studios like the italians, Guigiaro, Pininfarina, etc... it's not uncommon.

The new Viper was designed by an asian guy who works for Chrysler, which is owned by the Germans...

jimlab

"A Chinese guy"?? How does his race have anything whatsoever to do with his abilities as a designer?

I said bordering on being racist, by the way. The comment was not intended to be derogatory, I assumed, but could have been offensive to someone of that race. Referring to someone as a "Chinese guy" could easily be offensive.

Think about it... if you're able.

Runnin Away

Has anyone seee the fact that this Chin guys Taiwanese guy if im not mistaken, has designed the exterior of the FD which we all so like and the interior of the Rx-8 which is amazingly stunning. Now to bring up a more controversial aspect if the "Chin" guy were to design the 4th generation RX7 exterior and interior don't you think it would come near as perfect again. He's got some serious talent