Mazda RX-Vision-based model could still be on the cards

Mazda Vision concept
It's been three years since we first saw Mazda's RX-Vision concept, but the idea behind it isn't dead
Brand's design boss hopes a premium sports car will be in the future line-up

A production version of Mazda’s RX-Vision concept is still on the table, according to Ikuo Maeda, Mazda’s design boss.

The concept car was revealed at the Tokyo motor show in 2015 and, at the time, was considered to signify Mazda’s intentions to launch a new range-topping sports car powered by a rotary engine.

Since then, no such car has prevailed but we have seen some of its design features appear on the new Mazda 3.

However, in response to being asked whether the RX-Vision could come to fruition, Maeda said: “I hope I can say yes – this is my dream.”

He confirmed he has prepared a design for a sports car which “is kind of a production car”.

More industry insight from the LA motor show

Maeda added: “When it is decided as a brand that we need a sports car, that’s when we will produce the car. As you know, we already have the MX-5. If we need a more premium sports car, then we need to have a serious think about it.”

Product planning boss Ichiro Hirose added: “I think as soon as our profit situation gets better, we will be able to proceed in that direction to make it a product.”

Last year, Mazda engine boss Mitsuo Hitomi confirmed to Autocar that it was developing a stand-alone rotary engine, which could be used in such a sports car.

The Japanese firm has a long history of producing rotary-engined cars but hasn’t had one in its line-up since the RX-8 went out of production in 2012.

Mazda has, however, confirmed that a rotary-engined hybrid range extender will launch in 2020.

Read more

2018 Los Angeles motor show: live news and pictures​

Mazda Vision Coupe previews Aston Martin-rivalling grand tourer​

Mazda RX-Vision rotary-engined sports car concept revealed​

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

BTCC 2018: Neal wins Diamond Double at Snetterton

Image
Neal clinched victory in the extended Diamond Double race Jack Goff stars in qualifying and race one, while veteran Neal clinches glory in double-length finale Triple British Touring Car champion Matt Neal clinched victory in the special extended Diamond Double race at Snetterton, held to mark the 60th anniversary of the series in his Honda Civic Type R . Rising stars Jack Goff and Ashley Sutton also took race wins at the Norfolk track. Instead of the usual reverse-grid finale, the third race at Snetterton was extended from 12 laps to 20, with double championship points on offer and no success ballast. The race also featured its own separate qualifying session. Picture special: 60 years of the BTCC That was good news for Eurotech driver Goff, who went fastest in both qualifying sessions to claim two pole positions in his Civic Type R. He made the first one count, pulling out a big lead in treacherous wet conditions.  The young guns of the BTCC Behind Goff, reigning champion
Read more

Japan's micro sports cars – Honda and Daihatsu kei cars driven

Image
S660 and Copen are the only kei sports cars in production Kei cars are big in Japan, but do they deliver driving thrills? We sample a pair in Tokyo to find out When the American style of christening storms came to Britain a couple of years ago, it was inevitable that some wag in the Met Office would find a way to undermine the whole concept with an underwhelming name to snigger about.  Storm Brian was the result. It’s a fine English name but perhaps lacking the gravitas of many of those coined overseas. “In terms of impact, we’ve had spray overtopping quaysides,” someone from the Environment Agency told the BBC of Brian’s pummelling of Cornwall. Top marks for not trying, Brian.  While Brian was doing his thing on the other side of the world, Typhoon Lan – now there’s a name – was homing in on southern Japan, bringing with it 140mph winds and a storm that made photographer Stan Papior wish he’d invested in a waterproof camera and jacket.  Look really closely at some of his pictur
Read more