Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupes
Mazda Senku concept car world premiere
The Mazda Senku ("Pioneer") concept car gets its world premiere at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show. The vehicle is
intended as a four-seater, rotary-powered sports car for adults. Suggesting a possible next-generation design theme for
Mazda, the Senku features an ultra-long wheelbase, minimal overhangs, a "floating" appearance supported by large
wheels, a smooth shape without ornamentation, and large "flying wing" powered sliding doors.
The powerplant is the next-generation 13B-DI direct injection gasoline rotary engine with a hybrid electric unit. The
direct injection rotary hybrid allows high power output with lower fuel consumption, plus a 50/50 front/rear weight
distribution.
[Source: Mazda] [Thanks, Rocket Punch!]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Joseph Willemssen 10:49PM (12/18/2005)
Here's a real handy guide to all the concept cars in the upcoming show, sorted by country of origin and maker:
http://autos.goo.ne.jp/motorshow/conceptcar/maker/index.html
And here's a list of world and Japan premiers by maker:
http://www.tokyo-motorshow.com/show/2005/english/public/list_exhibits/index.shtml
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Joseph Willemssen 10:49PM (12/18/2005)
My bad - it includes mostly cars from past shows, including ones other than Tokyo.
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starlightmica 10:49PM (12/18/2005)
I thought that Mazda needed to go hybrid with the rotary soon after the intro of the RX-8, as it would help boost fuel economy and overcome the low torque of the Renesis. Now, add direct injection, and I think the rotary has what it takes to survive in the marketplace. Hope it comes soon.
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Dave 10:49PM (12/18/2005)
Umm, where's the headlights?
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Doogs 10:49PM (12/18/2005)
Yeah...that thing looks creepy without the headlights.
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B-Rad 10:49PM (12/18/2005)
Yeah they should've added headlights, but that's because they tried doing those "radical because it's just a concept, and it's COOOOL!" kind of projects. A suggestion are headlights (LED's would be nice) hidden in some way, like a one-way light housing that's flush with the body and the same colour, or keeping in with the radical design a "cyclops eye" in the grille, composed of an LED array.
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Bone 10:49PM (12/18/2005)
The vehicle is intended as a four-seater, rotary-powered sports car for adults.
Thats good, because all those industry attempts at selling sports cars to adolescents and grade school kids have really been disappointing.
I assume a proper translation would indicate that the back seats are meant to hold adults such as in the RX-8. So does that make this a trial balloon for the next RX-8?
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Shoeman 10:49PM (12/18/2005)
The Yahoo site linked in my username has the Yahoo Photo gallery. The headlights are visible (really slim slits above the grill, two of 'em)
Looks interesting! And any Rotary is good. Add to that the clamor for more hybrids and the improved performance and mileage, as someone already pointed out - and this could be a decent success. Although we'll get it half a decade after the rest of the world, thanks to Ford's infinite wisdom :(
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Rocket Punch 10:49PM (12/18/2005)
Here is a better picture displaying the [Flying Wing] Concept.
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/atcars/photo/20051005ve01-12-Z20051005100453189L.jpg
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Doogs 10:49PM (12/18/2005)
I see. "Flying Wing" is code for "minivan".
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Jason Epex 10:49PM (12/18/2005)
The Headlights, yeah its there right in front on the grill, its really hidden. It looks really nice. But the best part is the interior, with all the dials controls mounted on the steering wheel. I think its pretty sweet.
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gord boyd 10:49PM (12/18/2005)
I read some of concept will enter the generation after the next.. A second competitive (to Yokohama) concept out of Mazda's Calif.
R&D will be in Detroit show. "Very strong shoulder" and rocker panel swooping under car more dramatically to show side energy, are key areas to watch for.
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