One of the big surprises at this year’s Detroit Auto Show was the Mazda exhibit. The Japanese automaker displayed two concept cars, a hydrogen variant of the Mazda5 micro van as well as an updated version of its venerable RX-8 sports car.
2009 RX-8
Sporting a revised grill and front and rear bumpers, new front headlamps and rear tail lamps as well as larger exhaust pipes. Topping off these changes is a new 5 spoke wheel design. 2008 Mazda RX-8
Hydrogen RE HybridCalling it a “fresh approach to zoom-zoom”, the RE is based on Mazda’s Mazda5 (known as the Premacy in Japan) micro van. Power for the RE comes from a duel fuel rotary engine (hydrogen or gasoline) mated to an electric hybrid system. Running on hydrogen alone, the RE has a range of 124 miles. Interior plastics and fabrics are, respectively, 80% and 100% bio-sourced.
Taiki Concept
Representing one possible future for Mazda design, the objective of the Taiki was to create “a design that visually expresses the flow of air”, according to chief designer Atsuhiko Yamada.
Design elements of the front-engine rear-drive coupe include a bold, flowing grill that reflects the lines of Mazda’s corporate logo. While the front wheels sit inside conventional fenders with lines similar to that of the RX-8, the radical tapering of the body from front to rear places the rear wheels in their own pods away from the main body.
Furai Concept
Based on the Couraged C65 chassis campaigned in the American LeMans series in 2005 and 2006, the Furai is powered by the same 450 hp R20B three-rotor rotary engine. In addition to its stunning appearance, the design, motorsports and R&D teams at Mazda worked together to construct Furai as “a 180-mph rolling laboratory to demonstrate its functional capabilities on demand.”
According to Mazda, they neither intend to race the Furai, nor sell it as a supercar in the near future. We can, however, hope that elements of it will show up, in some form, in Mazda’s upcoming production models.
Tags: Mazda New Car
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