It’s true, Mazda actually made a ‘suitcase car’ in 1991. This is essentially a fully-functional car built into a piece of luggage and designed specifically for the company’s ‘Fantasyard’ event, an inter-departmental contest to see which group of employees could come up with the most innovative and creative solution to producing a ‘moving machine’. During the early 1990s, Mazda had already successfully reinvented the roadster with the MX-5 Miata and won Le Mans with the rotary-powered 787B racer, so it was the perfect time to build a car into a suitcase. Read more for a video of it in-action, additional pictures and information.
Ken Block’s insane Hoonicorn is an all-wheel-drive drift machine powered by a twin-turbocharged V8 generating 1,400hp based on a 1965 Ford Mustang. The beast runs on methanol fuel, which helps the engine run quite a bit cooler than petrol. Rob Dahm’s four-rotor, all-wheel-drive Mazda RX-7 is definitely no slouch either. It has a tube frame chassis, a billet four-rotor engine generating 1,240hp, mated to a sequential transmission.
The original Mazda RX-Vision made its debut at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show, and made quite a splash. This front-wheel drive concept uses SkyActiv-R technology, which guarantees reliability and low fuel consumption by reducing the weight of the parts. Now, the automaker has teamed up with Polyphony Digital Inc. to create a GT3 Concept based on t he RX-Vision, which can be played in Gran Turismo Sport. Read more for a video, additional pictures and information.
Photo credit: Reuben Bemrose via Car Scoops
Reuben Bemrose, owner of R’s Garage in Wellington, New Zealand, acquired a Ferrari 456 GT, removed its V12 and replaced it with a Mazda-sourced 13B Wankel engine. He took it to a local car show where it won the Best Conversion award, but that also brought along some media attention, including Ferrari. Apparently, the Italian automaker wasn’t happy with what was done and sent a stern warning to Reuben. Read more for two videos, additional pictures and information.
Photo credit: Giedi Prime
Here’s a fascinating up-close look at a rare 1992 AZ-1, which is basically a mid-engined kei-class sports car, designed and manufactured by Mazda under its Autozam brand. Power comes from a Suzuki-sourced turbocharged 657cc engine, used by the Mazda Carol, producing 63 hp at 6500 rpm and 63 lb·ft of torque at 4000 rpm.
Photo credit: Maximilian Schneider via Car Scoops
The Mazda RX-8 is the true successor to the RX-7 and, like its predecessors in the RX range, is powered by a rotary Wankel engine. Unfortunately, it was discontinued as of the 2012 model year and removed from the European market in 2010 after the car failed to meet emissions standards. Mitsubishi Motors Japan designer Maximilian Schnider gives us his take on a possible RX-10 Vision Longtail hypercar.
Photo credit: Gingium
When is a Mazda MX-5 Miata not just a roadster you cruise around town in? When you merge it with a Subaru WRX. Simply put, the car is pieced together, starting with WRX’s all-wheel-drive powertrain and Subaru-spec EJ four-stroke engine. First, the engine was assembled before the brakes, wheels, body panels, and lights were installed.
Photo credit: Joseph Robinson
If you’re not familiar with the iconic Mazda RX-7, it’s essentially a front/mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive, rotary engine-powered sports car that was manufactured and marketed by Mazda from 1978 to 2002 across three generations, all of which were powered by a lightweight Wankel rotary engine. Automotive designer Joseph Robinson shows us what the RX-9 could look like with a hybrid mid-engine setup consisting of an electric motor paired with a Renesis rotary engine. Read more for additional pictures and information.
Photo credit: Joseph Robinson
Since the RX-8 ended production in 2012, the Mazda Wankel rotary engine is produced only for single seater racing, with the one-make Star Mazda Championship being contested with a Wankel engine until 2017 (transitioned to Mazda-branded piston engine in 2018). What if the automaker were to combine this with an electric motor in supercar form? Introducing the Mazda 9 Supercar by designer Joseph Robinson. Read more for additional pictures and information.
Mazda has been known to unveil some pretty wild concepts over the years, and the Shinshi is right up there with them. The basic idea was to immerse the driver and create the sense that the vehicle is an extension of their body. Both driver and passenger are located in the center of the vehicle to optimize weight distribution, panoramic vision, as well as for enhanced feedback. Continue reading for more pictures and information.