Mazda: Development and Technology News
08-09-2003, 12:03 PM
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Mazda: Development and Technology News
Mazda Kusabi
Mazda Kusabi is a true design concept that showcases Mazda efforts to further develop innovative access systems, packaging solutions and its own, unique design language. Kusabi, when translated from Japanese, means "wedge", but can also mean "making way for something new". Mazda Kusabi, then, indicates a new direction for Mazda in this segment. It is a small, modern sports car with a stylish and aggressive exterior, an environmentally friendly 1.6-litre common-rail diesel engine, and driving characteristics that can make everyday city driving fun and exciting.
The exterior design features sharp press lines extending from the bonnet through the body sides to the rear of the car, large wheels and pronounced fenders, and a "reverse wedge" extending from the A-pillars rearward. The result is a stylish and aggressive sports car concept equipped with a revolutionary tailgate mechanism that allows easy access to the luggage compartment, improving overall functionality for everyday use.
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09-15-2003, 03:03 PM
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Kusabi Design Concept: Everyday Zoom-Zoom
Posted by: kak on Sunday, September 14, 2003 - 03:18 AM CET
Sharing centre stage with the new Mazda3 at this year's Frankfurt Motor Show is a new Zoom-Zoom Mazda concept car: an exciting four-seat sports sub-compact, the Mazda Kusabi. A unique combination of attributes, it delivers all the strengths of a small modern sports car--with a stylish and aggressive exterior, a spirited 1.6-liter common-rail diesel engine with six-speed transmission and superb dynamic characteristics--but adds a revolutionary Twin-Lift Hatchback door system, four seats and high levels of interior functionality and style to make everyday city driving more fun and exciting.
Everyday sports concept
The new Mazda Kusabi Design Concept car represents a further evolution of Mazda's "Stylish, Insightful and Spirited" DNA, this time in an exciting diesel sports sub-compact derived from the Mazda2 platform. The modern sub-compact segment offers customers affordable cars with low emissions and fuel consumption--for less environmental impact in today's congested urban areas. Due to their small size, they are agile and easy to use, especially for normal day-to-day activities such as commuting and shopping.
The new Mazda Kusabi Design Concept introduces an innovative approach to this segment with an exciting four-seat sports car that is designed to make everyday driving a more enjoyable and sporty experience.
In Japanese, the name Kusabi means "a bond or connection which ties two things together."This is an appropriate name for Mazda's new sports sub-compact concept, as it brings together a set of attributes to give customers something completely different than conventional vehicles in this segment. It is based on the unique concept of the "everyday sports sub-compact" offering customers typical sub-compact strengths--like being small and very manoeuvrable, economical and ecologically sound--with outstanding design and exciting performance, and is yet another fresh example of Mazda's Zoom-Zoom spirit.
Tohru Furusawa, one of the car's developers from the company's Product Innovation Department, puts it this way: "Although the Mazda Kusabi concept is a genuine sports car, it's also a sports car you can use for shopping. And look at what it offers the commuter. It could certainly brighten up those early morning drives to work."
Stylish and aggressive design
The Mazda Kusabi Concept features a short overall length (3800 mm), a wide body (1750 mm) and substantial wheelbase (2490 mm). The extremely short front/rear overhangs and 17-inch wheels further emphasize its low and wide stance and give the car a strong road presence. The basic proportions of its exterior design result in a short, emphatically contoured form that immediately communicates an aggressive, sports-car look and give it a unique exterior design.
Overall, it looks rather aggressive, particularly with its rearward slanting, flat roof. In fact, many Mazda designers referred to the project as 'The Flattop' at an early stage in development, a reference to the popular early-1950s haircuts in the US.
The front end features a wider, more intricate update of Mazda's signature five-point grille. The headlamps with high-luminance LED's are located within slit openings and lend a sharply sculptured expression to the front end. Press lines extending from the bonnet through the body sides to the rear end have prominent edges which, combined with large 17-inch wheels and pronounced fenders, visually express a feeling of driving excitement.
The name Kusabi also means "wedge"in Japanese and perfectly reflects the wedge-like design of the upper sections of the car. The roof has pronounced edges and slopes down to the rear end in such a way that, when combined with the side and rear windows, forms an "X" shaped C-pillar in the shape of two wedges. This creates a simple yet unique design that achieves an aggressive sports car personality that truly stands out from the crowd.
Said designer Yoichi Satoh: "The Kusabi is simple and dynamic with a sense of solidity. It has an aggressive, futuristic design, but we also looked to achieve a calm, classical ambience in the car's form."
Visual expression to structure--contemporary interior design
The Mazda Kusabi Concept's interior features a unique design that integrates the instrument panel with a highly rigid annular aluminium frame around the foot wells. The rear strut tower stiffeners in the luggage area also have a sturdy aluminium design. Together these features give visual expression to Mazda Kusabi Concept's robust structure, creating a powerful, sporty ambience inside the cabin. The interior is unified by a simple, geometric design that combines cool metallic elements with soft-textured materials, for a refined, contemporary ambience.
Twin-Lift Hatchback - sporty, everyday functionality
With its 2+2 cabin layout, Mazda's new Kusabi sports car concept offers high levels of practicality for normal, everyday tasks. The car features a Twin-Lift Hatchback with a revolutionary new tailgate mechanism that allows easy access and use of the luggage compartment.
The Twin-Lift Hatchback arrangement provides two completely different opening modes. There are two split hatch doors that open individually on a hinge mounted longitudinally in the centre of the roof. This opening mode is especially practical for stowing smaller items. However, they also open together like a regular hatchback, facilitating stowage and removal of larger items.
The rear seat area of the new Mazda Kusabi offers unparalleled flexibility for a sub-compact diesel sports car. You can either use the rear seats for occupants, or fold them down to create a very usable luggage area. For even more luggage space, you can easily remove the aluminium rear strut tower stiffeners located behind the rear seats.
Swing Seatbacks
Mazda Kusabi Concept's front seats feature swing seatbacks for easier access to the rear seats of the 2 + 2 cabin. A hinge mechanism fitted between the driver's seat and passenger's seat permits turning of the seatbacks toward the inside in a way similar to a house door, making it easier to get into the back seats. Also, the centrally located hinge mechanism is aluminium with a geometric design. Together with the seats' metallic-look outer frame and the aluminium frame of the instrument panel, it contributes to the powerful, contemporary ambience of the cabin as a whole.
Interior Illumination
As an added feature enhancing everyday use, the aluminium frames running across the bottom of the bulk head trim and door trim have built-in lighting that is linked to door opening and closing. The frame provides a soft glow in the foot wells and functions as a courtesy light for the door trim, facilitating easier entry and exit at night.
Handling and braking that epitomizes Zoom-Zoom
Mazda Kusabi Design Concept's aggressive design, revolutionary Twin-Lift Hatchback, four seats and excellent interior flexibility are combined with Zoom-Zoom dynamic performance to deliver a unique new generation sports car experience.
It's compact body and short overhangs minimise the car's yaw inertia moment and contribute to superior handling characteristics. In addition, the highly rigid body features an aluminium frame and the same excellent suspension system as the Mazda2 to achieve levels of driving excitement expected of a Mazda sports car. It combines 17-inch wheels and large (283 mm) front and rear disc brakes for linear and responsive braking action. Combined with a new and spirited diesel engine delivering substantial torque, Mazda Kusabi Concept's stabile and predictable driving dynamics make everyday driving fun and exciting.
MZ-CD Diesel Engine with DPF and 6-speed Automatic Shift Manual
Mazda Kusabi Concept is equipped with a new 1.6-liter MZ-CD diesel engine with diesel particulate filter (DPF). It is mated to a six-speed Automatic Shift Manual transmission, optimised to allow the driver to get the most out of the engine's torque and power, adding to the sporty enjoyment of driving the car on a daily basis. It combines the excitement of manual shift driving with the comfortable feel of an automatic, and helps make the driver feel one with the car.
The 1.6-liter MZ-CD powertrain not only achieves sporty performance but a high level of environmental compatibility as well. It features a highly-rigid block and ultra-high pressure common-rail fuel injection, and is equipped with a DPF system for excellent emissions performance, especially important in urban centres with lots of traffic. It produces 80 kW/110 PS of power--with low levels of noise, harshness and vibration--and 240 Nm of torque on demand. The result is a powertrain that delivers sharp acceleration and ensures that the Mazda Kusabi Concept is agile, responsive and fun to drive in city traffic.
10-13-2003, 06:07 PM
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Mazda releases Roadster Coupe
Mazda releases Roadster Coupe
Posted by: kak on Monday, October 13, 2003 - 12:05 AM CET
Mazda Motor Corporation has released two-seat "Roadster Coupe." The much-anticipated sports coupe is available by customer order from Mazda and Mazda Anfini dealerships across Japan. The Roadster Coupe is a two-seat sports coupe based on Mazda's popular Roadster. With its responsive handling and exhilarating performance, the Roadster truly embodies Mazda's brand personality. The Roadster Coupe further builds on the fun to drive characteristics of the original Roadster and is designed to appeal to customers who value impressive styling and driving performance. Production of this vehicle was achieved with technologies developed by Mazda Engineering and Technology Co. Ltd. The 100% Mazda-owned subsidiary specializes in technologies for the development of limited production models.
Major Features
Refined Coupe Style
The stylish Roadster Coupe further advances on the design of its base model the Roadster. Hand modeling and the latest CAD technology were employed in the process to create a semi-classic feel that combines sporty and dynamic features with functional styling. The Roadster Coupe is the only domestically produced rear drive coupe with an engine size less than two liters.
High rigidity body structure
During development of the vehicle's closed body, engineers revised the body structure in order to enhance body rigidity. This was achieved with a total weight increase of only ten kilograms. These improvements further advance on the fun to drive qualities of the original Roadster.
Choice of 4 grades with 3 package types
Aimed at customers who value uniqueness and refined styling, the Roadster Coupe comes in four grades with a choice of three package types. Production of Type A and Type E vehicles is limited to 200 units and 150 units, respectively. 1) Roadster Coupe/Type S: Basic front design same as the Roadster
2) Type A: Authentic design reminiscent of traditional racing cars
3) Type E: Refined and elegant design
Specifications
- Roadster Coupe (Base model: 1600SP): 1.6 liter/5MT 125PS
- Type S (Base model: 1800RS): 1.8 liter/6MT 160PS
- Type A (Base model: 1800RS): 1.8 liter/6MT 160PS
- Type E (Base model: 1800VS Combination B): 1.8 liter/4AT 154PS
Major Exclusive Equipment
[Common Equipment]
Original coupe body rear quarter window and rear window (with defroster).
[Type A Exclusive Equipment]
Front grill, front fog lamps, front bumper face/fender arch molding/rear spoiler (made of fiberglass-reinforced plastic), front under spoiler/side skirt/rear under skirt (made of carbon fiberglass-reinforced plastic), headlamp bezels, and rear combination lamp bezels.
[Type E Exclusive Equipment]
Front grill, front fog lamps, front bumper face (fiberglass-reinforced plastic), and rear combination lamp bezels.
10-13-2003, 10:39 PM
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i just vomited
10-14-2003, 09:40 AM
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Originally posted by bkknight369
can someone do a power conversion? how much hp/tq?
can someone do a power conversion? how much hp/tq?
PS and BHP SAE NET is about the same. 100 PS is about 98 BHP SAE NET. So PS is a little more "optimistic" as compared to our units. There are no torque claims here. I dont see any at least. The 1.8 liter engine is the same one we get pretty much. There was always a 1.6 liter engine as the base engine for the Miata for Japan and Europe. And you see it listed here too.
09-26-2006, 09:55 AM
#23
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Mazda: Future Models news **Strategy (page 1)**
Source: http://carsguide.news.com.au/story/0...-21822,00.html
THE rotary engine gets a green makeover to use an environmentally friendly fuel in a new mini people mover due in 2008.
The rotary engine is here to stay, but perhaps not as we know it.
Mazda says it is committed to petrol rotary engines, but there is a question mark hanging over the long-term future of high-revving powerplants due to their thirst and high emissions.
Regardless of what happens to petrol rotaries, Mazda is determined to keep the rotary engine spinning well into the future.
It is pushing on with plans to introduce an environmentally friendly rotary engine that runs on hydrogen instead of petrol.
The engine could be linked to an electric motor, which can recharge on the run.
This is not a pie-in-the-sky plan, though there are few places you can fill up on hydrogen, Mazda plans to introduce its first hydrogen-powered rotary in 2008.
The first model to use the technology will be the family friendly Mazda5 mini-people mover, a model that will not be coming to Australia.
Mazda president Hisakazu Imaki, who visited Melbourne last week, says the special Mazda5 will be able to run on hydrogen or petrol.
"If you are on the motorway, you press a button and you can convert from petrol to hydrogen and you hardly notice the change," Imaki says.
He says regular combustion engines are not well suited to running on hydrogen, but rotaries, which use rotors instead of pistons, are because the combustion area is not as hot.
This means Mazda engineers don't have to do much to ensure the rotary can run on hydrogen.
"The conversion from petrol to hydrogen is relatively easy," he says.
Imaki says the company could have developed a petrol-electric hybrid powerplant as an alternative, but it would not have been as green as the hydrogen rotary.
"The combination of a regular piston or rotary engine with hybrid (motor), makes not so much of a difference. The difference is in using hydrogen as a fuel," he says.
As for the future of the petrol rotary engine, which faces a tough fight as emission rules become stricter, Imaki says he has a team working on making that engine greener.
"That very topic came up in internal discussions. I understand our R&D people are doing a lot of improvements. All I can say is that I will be looking forward to future developments."
The Mazda RX-8 sportscar is the only model in the Mazda range to be fitted with a rotary powerplant, but Mazda says the engine is important to the company.
"I know the public and also the media views the rotary as a brand icon of Mazda," he says.
Mazda has no plan to fit a rotary engine to the MX-5, even though the light, high-revving engine may suit the roadster.
MX-5 program manager Takao Kijima has ruled out a rotary engine and even a turbo boost for the convertible sportscar.
He says it is more likely the car may be fitted with a slightly larger engine, probably a 2.3-litre four-cylinder with direct injection technology to give the car a mid-life boost.
The rotary engine is here to stay, but perhaps not as we know it.
Mazda says it is committed to petrol rotary engines, but there is a question mark hanging over the long-term future of high-revving powerplants due to their thirst and high emissions.
Regardless of what happens to petrol rotaries, Mazda is determined to keep the rotary engine spinning well into the future.
It is pushing on with plans to introduce an environmentally friendly rotary engine that runs on hydrogen instead of petrol.
The engine could be linked to an electric motor, which can recharge on the run.
This is not a pie-in-the-sky plan, though there are few places you can fill up on hydrogen, Mazda plans to introduce its first hydrogen-powered rotary in 2008.
The first model to use the technology will be the family friendly Mazda5 mini-people mover, a model that will not be coming to Australia.
Mazda president Hisakazu Imaki, who visited Melbourne last week, says the special Mazda5 will be able to run on hydrogen or petrol.
"If you are on the motorway, you press a button and you can convert from petrol to hydrogen and you hardly notice the change," Imaki says.
He says regular combustion engines are not well suited to running on hydrogen, but rotaries, which use rotors instead of pistons, are because the combustion area is not as hot.
This means Mazda engineers don't have to do much to ensure the rotary can run on hydrogen.
"The conversion from petrol to hydrogen is relatively easy," he says.
Imaki says the company could have developed a petrol-electric hybrid powerplant as an alternative, but it would not have been as green as the hydrogen rotary.
"The combination of a regular piston or rotary engine with hybrid (motor), makes not so much of a difference. The difference is in using hydrogen as a fuel," he says.
As for the future of the petrol rotary engine, which faces a tough fight as emission rules become stricter, Imaki says he has a team working on making that engine greener.
"That very topic came up in internal discussions. I understand our R&D people are doing a lot of improvements. All I can say is that I will be looking forward to future developments."
The Mazda RX-8 sportscar is the only model in the Mazda range to be fitted with a rotary powerplant, but Mazda says the engine is important to the company.
"I know the public and also the media views the rotary as a brand icon of Mazda," he says.
Mazda has no plan to fit a rotary engine to the MX-5, even though the light, high-revving engine may suit the roadster.
MX-5 program manager Takao Kijima has ruled out a rotary engine and even a turbo boost for the convertible sportscar.
He says it is more likely the car may be fitted with a slightly larger engine, probably a 2.3-litre four-cylinder with direct injection technology to give the car a mid-life boost.
09-26-2006, 12:03 PM
#25
The sizzle in the Steak
Hindenburg Rotary Engine
09-26-2006, 06:25 PM
#26
_____ like a rabbit
Originally Posted by charliemike
Dear Mazda,
YOUR ROTARY ENGINE TECHNOLOGY DOESN'T WORK!
Sincerely,
Everyone
YOUR ROTARY ENGINE TECHNOLOGY DOESN'T WORK!
Sincerely,
Everyone
thats what i was thinking as the page was loading 
09-26-2006, 08:01 PM
#27
Senior Moderator
It might not "work", but I've always liked rotary engines... I like engine that are different from the "norm"... Plus, saying Wankle engine is just so much fun...
09-26-2006, 10:10 PM
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Originally Posted by GreenMonster
It might not "work", but I've always liked rotary engines... I like engine that are different from the "norm"... Plus, saying Wankle engine is just so much fun...
09-26-2006, 10:51 PM
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oh god. the oil this thing is going to need is more detrimental to the environment than the gas it will save's absence.
03-26-2009, 09:09 AM
#30
Safety Car
Mazda: Yes to Diesels; No to Hybrids **Source Hybrid Tech from Toyota (Page 1)**
Mazda to Focus on Clean Diesels & Weight Reduction; Says No to Hybrids
Posted: March 26, 2009
In a meeting with reporters in Tokyo, Mazda Motor Corp said today that it is working on a diesel engine that is cheaper and will offer the same fuel-efficiency as hybrid cars. The engine is scheduled to debut in 2011. The company’s R&D Chief Seita Kanai said that Mazda has a target of raising its global fleet’s fuel-economy by 30 percent by 2015.Posted: March 26, 2009
Instead of relying on expensive hybrid electric systems, Kanai said that Mazda will focus on clean diesels, advances in internal combustion engines, automatic transmissions and weight reduction methods.
Kanai said that Mazda is currently working on a 2.0L clean diesel engine that will be as fuel-efficient as a 660cc gasoline minicar or a “mild” hybrid car. He said that Mazda is also working on ways to cut the weight of new models after 2011 by more than 220 lb.
While hybrid lovers like Toyota argue that emissions regulations in the future would require costly development of diesel engines, Kanai says that Mazda’s new diesel engine would cost less. As for costs in reducing the weight of their cars, Kanai said that the ”norm in the industry is to ‘buy’ weight reduction at a cost, but we won’t do that.”
03-26-2009, 09:59 AM
#31
Fahrvergnügen'd
It's going to be interesting to see what path they take with their diesels.
High MPG like the VWs or a balance of performance and economy like Audi/Mercedes/BMW
If it's a good engine, I wouldn't mind a diesel Mazda3. Would probably get very, very good gas mileage.
High MPG like the VWs or a balance of performance and economy like Audi/Mercedes/BMW
If it's a good engine, I wouldn't mind a diesel Mazda3. Would probably get very, very good gas mileage.
03-26-2009, 10:30 AM
#32
The sizzle in the Steak
I like what I am hearing.
03-26-2009, 01:38 PM
#34
Senior Moderator
The only problem I see is that they are saying mpg same has a "mild" hybrid....like the Accord that was canceled, or the Malibu and Aura hybrids. Anyone who buys those particular cars solely for better mpg needs their heads checked. They get marginally better mileage than their gas counterparts, and aren't worth the price IMO. For it to work, the diesel will need to get mpg the same as a normal hybrid like a Prius or Insight, especially since the additional cost of diesel over gasoline will make the "mild" diesel look like a terrible buy. Hopefully I'm reading this wrong. 
03-26-2009, 01:38 PM
#35
Race Director
03-26-2009, 03:12 PM
#36
I drive a Subata.
iTrader: (1)
nice.
03-27-2009, 02:56 PM
#40
Senior Moderator
Translation - Mazda doesn't have the ability to develop hybrids.
