Cosmo Concept
InsaneRotaries.com
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,748
Likes: 0
From: Westchester, NY
bloody noob's 
At the (January) 2002 Tokyo Auto Salon there was a "new" Cosmo! Styled to look like the original Cosmo on this page, it is in fact an MX5(Miata) with a body kit plus an RX8 engine - I understand that it was built by "Mazda Sangyo" which seems to be a subsiduary company that does engineering work, ambulance conversions etc.
I suspect that the "21" means 21st century, because it isn't the 21st anniversary of the original Cosmo. (But, I don't know exactly why they picked 21). The exterior styling has definite Cosmo cues, but the original definitely looks leaner. The interior is nothing like it except the fabric on the seats.
Rumour has it that the Cosmo 21 is going on sale in Japan (hmmm.. it looks too over the top to be anything but a show car, but there have been a lot stranger Japanese cars than this in the past), great news if it does as there might be hope for a rotary MX5. At the show there was also a new Coupe version of the MX5 with a non-removable roof - a rotary MX5 coupe would be close to the original RX7 in concept.
With a greater push for common car platforms the next generation RX7, RX8 and MX5 are rumoured to be the same basic car.
Specs from Japanese press release
Item Spec My comment
Engine RENESIS 13B 654cc x 2rotor i.e. the new generation 13B for the engine for the RX8
184kW (250PS) at 8,500rpm
220Nm (22.4kg-m) at 7,500rpm
Gearbox 5 speed Probably RX7 based (RX8 is 6 speed)
Wheels 17x7JJ
Tyres 215/40 ZR 17
The specs in Japanese alse eluded to ABS and the like. I can't read Japanese, there were other items but they are probably of little consequence.
The car is undoubtebly longer, wider and shorter than the original and probably weighs more too. But with that sweet engine this car should be a real hoot to drive.
At the (January) 2002 Tokyo Auto Salon there was a "new" Cosmo! Styled to look like the original Cosmo on this page, it is in fact an MX5(Miata) with a body kit plus an RX8 engine - I understand that it was built by "Mazda Sangyo" which seems to be a subsiduary company that does engineering work, ambulance conversions etc.
I suspect that the "21" means 21st century, because it isn't the 21st anniversary of the original Cosmo. (But, I don't know exactly why they picked 21). The exterior styling has definite Cosmo cues, but the original definitely looks leaner. The interior is nothing like it except the fabric on the seats.
Rumour has it that the Cosmo 21 is going on sale in Japan (hmmm.. it looks too over the top to be anything but a show car, but there have been a lot stranger Japanese cars than this in the past), great news if it does as there might be hope for a rotary MX5. At the show there was also a new Coupe version of the MX5 with a non-removable roof - a rotary MX5 coupe would be close to the original RX7 in concept.
With a greater push for common car platforms the next generation RX7, RX8 and MX5 are rumoured to be the same basic car.
Specs from Japanese press release
Item Spec My comment
Engine RENESIS 13B 654cc x 2rotor i.e. the new generation 13B for the engine for the RX8
184kW (250PS) at 8,500rpm
220Nm (22.4kg-m) at 7,500rpm
Gearbox 5 speed Probably RX7 based (RX8 is 6 speed)
Wheels 17x7JJ
Tyres 215/40 ZR 17
The specs in Japanese alse eluded to ABS and the like. I can't read Japanese, there were other items but they are probably of little consequence.
The car is undoubtebly longer, wider and shorter than the original and probably weighs more too. But with that sweet engine this car should be a real hoot to drive.
