April Road&Track cover story
02-28-06, 01:43 AM
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April Road&Track cover story
Has anyone read this article? It's suggesting that the Mazda Kabura concept will be the basis for the next RX-7. Not only that but they suggest Mazda make the next RX-7 more like the first gen.
"It's no secret that Mazda wants to bring back the RX-7, but it needs a positive business case to make this a reality. With RX-8 sales not meeting expectations, Mazda is in need of an image boost in the sports-car department (the MX-5 by itself just won;t cut it). In the U.S. theres still a solid base of RX-7 fans - thousands attend the Sevenstock event held at Mazda R&D headquarters each year. So, it makes perfect sense to test the waters now with a new sports-car concept that could be the basis for the next RX-7.
If there were a formula for a future RX-7 we can expect a car unlike the last-generation model, a pure sports car with perhaps too heavy an emphasis on performance. That car was both expensive and virtually unusable for the masses as an everyday driver. Instead we'll see a product that has the general character of the first-generation RX-7 - an affordable sports car with everyday creature comforts, such as luggage space and a pleasant ride - that will appeal to a broader range of people"
Not sure how they figure the 1st. Gen has more creature comforts than a 3rd gen... but its still +1 for the 1st. gen!
ps. check out the article, they even have their own mockup of the next RX-7
"It's no secret that Mazda wants to bring back the RX-7, but it needs a positive business case to make this a reality. With RX-8 sales not meeting expectations, Mazda is in need of an image boost in the sports-car department (the MX-5 by itself just won;t cut it). In the U.S. theres still a solid base of RX-7 fans - thousands attend the Sevenstock event held at Mazda R&D headquarters each year. So, it makes perfect sense to test the waters now with a new sports-car concept that could be the basis for the next RX-7.
If there were a formula for a future RX-7 we can expect a car unlike the last-generation model, a pure sports car with perhaps too heavy an emphasis on performance. That car was both expensive and virtually unusable for the masses as an everyday driver. Instead we'll see a product that has the general character of the first-generation RX-7 - an affordable sports car with everyday creature comforts, such as luggage space and a pleasant ride - that will appeal to a broader range of people"
Not sure how they figure the 1st. Gen has more creature comforts than a 3rd gen... but its still +1 for the 1st. gen!
ps. check out the article, they even have their own mockup of the next RX-7
02-28-06, 10:56 AM
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here is the link to the online article
http://www.roadandtrack.com/article....rticle_id=3238
I think R&D meant by creature comforts was that the first gen was more user friendly than the third gens. it also says it will be one of the low priced sports cars like the first gens also.
personally i hope if they do come out with a fourth gen it has a different styled front end and only two seats not three.
http://www.roadandtrack.com/article....rticle_id=3238
I think R&D meant by creature comforts was that the first gen was more user friendly than the third gens. it also says it will be one of the low priced sports cars like the first gens also.
personally i hope if they do come out with a fourth gen it has a different styled front end and only two seats not three.
02-28-06, 11:47 AM
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So.... They are basically saying that they are going to make a 2-door RX-8...
"an affordable sports car with everyday creature comforts, such as luggage space and a pleasant ride - that will appeal to a broader range of people"
The RX-8 has luggage space, a pleasant ride, and creature comforts... It just lacks the affordability part.
"an affordable sports car with everyday creature comforts, such as luggage space and a pleasant ride - that will appeal to a broader range of people"
The RX-8 has luggage space, a pleasant ride, and creature comforts... It just lacks the affordability part.
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02-28-06, 11:49 AM
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Yeah thats a nice car, but the front of it is *** ugly. The way the front fenders separate from the car looks terrible. Thats the worst part of the rx-8 too. Every time a car company makes a decent sports car, like the FB, or the nissan Z, or whatever, they come out with this cheap lightweight car that everyone loves, and then they eventually turn it into this heavy expensive beast and sales fall off. Then they wonder why.
They should have continued to improve thier cars by building on power, lightness, and durability instead of adding heavy faux crap and charging too much.
I am rebuilding an 82 FB that should have been sent to the scrap yard. It's the cheapest way to get a sports car there is. Honestly, I would never pay full price for a new sports car, it's a terrible investment and not worth the marginal gain in performance and comfort.
-thats why we all drive 25 year old cars!
They should have continued to improve thier cars by building on power, lightness, and durability instead of adding heavy faux crap and charging too much.
I am rebuilding an 82 FB that should have been sent to the scrap yard. It's the cheapest way to get a sports car there is. Honestly, I would never pay full price for a new sports car, it's a terrible investment and not worth the marginal gain in performance and comfort.
-thats why we all drive 25 year old cars!
02-28-06, 12:07 PM
#9
We need a reality check here guys. I don't see anything in theMazda linke that says it even might have a rotary engine, rather they plan to use the miata in line 4. Hopefully the April R&T story says otherwise. Without a rotary, it isn't an RX7 - it isn't even an RX anything. Now if they put a Renesis in there and get the base price under $20,000, and loose the back seat, I'd be interested.
Ray
Ray
02-28-06, 02:54 PM
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Hmm... every article I've read has described the RX-8 as a huge success sales-wise (though I could understand if its beginning to fall off), and the Miata is the best selling "sports car" of all time.
I would think an "image-boost" would come in the return of their flagship RX-7 which surpasses the last generation in terms of performance/reliability/comfort. Mazda doesn't have an all out performance car anymore (although many Japanese companies no longer do). I thought biggest mistake they made with the RX-8 was that many people wanted more power, it could take a 350Z in the corners but would be left behind in a straight line.
I would think an "image-boost" would come in the return of their flagship RX-7 which surpasses the last generation in terms of performance/reliability/comfort. Mazda doesn't have an all out performance car anymore (although many Japanese companies no longer do). I thought biggest mistake they made with the RX-8 was that many people wanted more power, it could take a 350Z in the corners but would be left behind in a straight line.
02-28-06, 02:55 PM
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I have the perfect design for a new Rx-7.
Take a first gen, put a renisis in it, make teh car bit wider, come with a front air dam, and smooth out the rear bumper a bit. They may want to concider upgrading to full independedn suspention, but teh 4links are pritty good too.
The car should also come from teh factory slightly lowered, and come with an option of heavy duty suspention as an extra for the performace inclind.
My .02$
Take a first gen, put a renisis in it, make teh car bit wider, come with a front air dam, and smooth out the rear bumper a bit. They may want to concider upgrading to full independedn suspention, but teh 4links are pritty good too.
The car should also come from teh factory slightly lowered, and come with an option of heavy duty suspention as an extra for the performace inclind.
My .02$
02-28-06, 03:28 PM
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I didn't think it possible, but with the Kabura Mazda actually came up with a car uglier than the RX-8. The weird retro seperate front fender thing is just ridiculous. These Japanese designers have been looking at too many Manga's and have forgotten the beauty of clean flowing lines.
Am I the only one who thinks the RX-8 is one of the top 10 ugliest cars of all time? They're probably telling themselves that people are afraid of rotaries, or that it isn't practical enough or it's not sports car enough, but the fact is, you can't sell an ugly sports car. That's why you see 20 350Z's for every RX-8 on the street. Probably why you also see so many more Honda S2000's than the homely MR2. The RX-8 influence is also creeping into the latest Miata, those wheel arches destroy the previously clean lines.
Am I the only one who thinks the RX-8 is one of the top 10 ugliest cars of all time? They're probably telling themselves that people are afraid of rotaries, or that it isn't practical enough or it's not sports car enough, but the fact is, you can't sell an ugly sports car. That's why you see 20 350Z's for every RX-8 on the street. Probably why you also see so many more Honda S2000's than the homely MR2. The RX-8 influence is also creeping into the latest Miata, those wheel arches destroy the previously clean lines.
02-28-06, 03:49 PM
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The reality is the Gen 1 in stock form was a cheap 3 door hatchback, it started a trend which Mazda lost when it decided to go up market and produce a Porsche 944 look alike.
All Mazda is looking at is 'sporty' 3 door hatchback with a MX5 engine to possibly replace its SP models. The target market will be young professionals who want a sporty looking daily driver without it being thought of as an environmentaly unfriendly sports car. This market rarely have passengers so a 3 door hatch is now the fashion.
Mazda used the 323 platform to produce the MX-5 as a cheap convertible alternative to the RX-7. It is now looking at going further down market to produce a hatchback based on the MX-5. It would be the competing with the top end of the Civic and Golf range in particular the GTI.
The RX-3SP was a real sports car, especially when the 12AT was dropped into it. Light, fast and great handling. If that is the type of car Mazda brings out using the MX-5 engine, then I will be one of the first in the sales line.
All Mazda is looking at is 'sporty' 3 door hatchback with a MX5 engine to possibly replace its SP models. The target market will be young professionals who want a sporty looking daily driver without it being thought of as an environmentaly unfriendly sports car. This market rarely have passengers so a 3 door hatch is now the fashion.
Mazda used the 323 platform to produce the MX-5 as a cheap convertible alternative to the RX-7. It is now looking at going further down market to produce a hatchback based on the MX-5. It would be the competing with the top end of the Civic and Golf range in particular the GTI.
Originally Posted by Hyper4mance2k
Sweet, but mazda said the Kabra was based of the idea of the Rx-3.
Last edited by PaulFitzwarryne; 02-28-06 at 04:14 PM.
02-28-06, 04:20 PM
#15
Rotary Enthusiast
I think the RX8 is great looking! It just makes me want to stare at it all day long.... and the interior is awesome too! They should just take 2 doors off, restyle it a bit, and call it an 4th gen rx7, or rx9. Or better yet, make a renesis-powered, hardtop miata. 
b.k.~
b.k.~
02-28-06, 04:43 PM
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Originally Posted by inuissus_cendi
Has anyone read this article? It's suggesting that the Mazda Kabura concept will be the basis for the next RX-7. Not only that but they suggest Mazda make the next RX-7 more like the first gen.
"It's no secret that Mazda wants to bring back the RX-7, but it needs a positive business case to make this a reality. With RX-8 sales not meeting expectations, Mazda is in need of an image boost in the sports-car department (the MX-5 by itself just won;t cut it). In the U.S. theres still a solid base of RX-7 fans - thousands attend the Sevenstock event held at Mazda R&D headquarters each year. So, it makes perfect sense to test the waters now with a new sports-car concept that could be the basis for the next RX-7.
If there were a formula for a future RX-7 we can expect a car unlike the last-generation model, a pure sports car with perhaps too heavy an emphasis on performance. That car was both expensive and virtually unusable for the masses as an everyday driver. Instead we'll see a product that has the general character of the first-generation RX-7 - an affordable sports car with everyday creature comforts, such as luggage space and a pleasant ride - that will appeal to a broader range of people"
"It's no secret that Mazda wants to bring back the RX-7, but it needs a positive business case to make this a reality. With RX-8 sales not meeting expectations, Mazda is in need of an image boost in the sports-car department (the MX-5 by itself just won;t cut it). In the U.S. theres still a solid base of RX-7 fans - thousands attend the Sevenstock event held at Mazda R&D headquarters each year. So, it makes perfect sense to test the waters now with a new sports-car concept that could be the basis for the next RX-7.
If there were a formula for a future RX-7 we can expect a car unlike the last-generation model, a pure sports car with perhaps too heavy an emphasis on performance. That car was both expensive and virtually unusable for the masses as an everyday driver. Instead we'll see a product that has the general character of the first-generation RX-7 - an affordable sports car with everyday creature comforts, such as luggage space and a pleasant ride - that will appeal to a broader range of people"
I wonder if there will be another SS event this year?!?! It's an ok show, but I know if I was in charge, I could do it a thousands times better than the fools who run it now!!!!
02-28-06, 06:13 PM
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Originally Posted by ray green
We need a reality check here guys. I don't see anything in theMazda linke that says it even might have a rotary engine, rather they plan to use the miata in line 4. Hopefully the April R&T story says otherwise. Without a rotary, it isn't an RX7 - it isn't even an RX anything. Now if they put a Renesis in there and get the base price under $20,000, and loose the back seat, I'd be interested.
Ray
Ray
In Road and Track they interviewed the head of the Kabura design and he was quick to point out that they made sure a rotary would fit in the chassis. It's defenitely not out of the picture. I think with alot of positive feedback for this thing to be rotary powered Mazda would easily go that way.
Oh and about the backseat, just rip it out yourself
02-28-06, 07:13 PM
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More information on the Kabura... if Rotary, look for an RX-3 moniker, not RX-7. Mazda will not use the RX designation, unless it's a Rotary powered vehicle.
http://rotarynews.com/node/view/758 (over a 100 comments here)
http://rotarynews.com/node/view/762
http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=78492
http://www.kaburaforums.com/forums/index.php?
Production version???
-Bern
http://rotarynews.com/node/view/758 (over a 100 comments here)
http://rotarynews.com/node/view/762
http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=78492
http://www.kaburaforums.com/forums/index.php?
Production version???
-Bern
02-28-06, 07:24 PM
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i think the kabura is only slightly less ugly than the rx-8. i agree with everyone else about the front end. other than that it does not look too bad. I think it would look awesome with a 3rd gen front end.
02-28-06, 07:25 PM
#22
Terrified.
Am I the only one thinking "WHERE ARE THE POP UP HEADLAMPS?!?!?!?"
haha, just kidding. I think its hideous, but at the same time has potential to look good. It just needs tweaks here and there. I also don't get the whole front fenders being so... overly portrayed. The same with the Rx-8.
Well whatever, if it is a lightweight sports car powered by either the rotary or the MX-5 engine, it will sell. Probably pretty well too. Most of us here in the first gen section are still too busy living in the past to have taste for these new designs to really appreciate it. At least that is my case.
haha, just kidding. I think its hideous, but at the same time has potential to look good. It just needs tweaks here and there. I also don't get the whole front fenders being so... overly portrayed. The same with the Rx-8.
Well whatever, if it is a lightweight sports car powered by either the rotary or the MX-5 engine, it will sell. Probably pretty well too. Most of us here in the first gen section are still too busy living in the past to have taste for these new designs to really appreciate it. At least that is my case.
