Mazda RX-Z: A... Diesel-Electric Hybrid Design Study for RX-8 Replacement

What you see pictured here is a conceptual vision for a 2+2 sports coupe with reverse opening rear doors designed to replace the current Mazda RX-8. The so-called Mazda RX-Z was conceived by Romanian design student, Adrian Ciprian who took a different -but not necessarily better- styling approach ditching most typical new-generation Mazda design cues except for the 'smiley' five-point grille.

The artist also claims that he envisions the RX-Z being fitted with a hybrid powetrain comprising of a front-mounted diesel engine and a pair of electric motors at the rear.

Understandably, this means that the Mazda-badged sports car proposal isn't much of a member of the 'RX' series, but hey, it's just a hypothetical design study.

Via: Diseno-art

Classic Japanese Cars at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show

Together with their new production cars and concept studies, some domestic automakers also brought along with them a handful of Japanese classics to display at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show floors. First up is the 1980 Mazda Familia hatchback which was essentially the Mazda3's forefather. Toyota had a 1981 Toyota Soarer Coupe and the GT HYBD, a gas-turbine hybrid concept version of its first production sports car, the Sports 800 that went on sale in 1965.

Mazda displayed the 1970 500cc rotary-powered RX-500 Concept while Mitsubishi exhibited Japan's first series production automobile, the 1917 A Model which was based on the Fiat Tipo 3. Finally, Honda showed off a first generation (1976-1981) Honda Accord CVCC three-door hatchback.

Photos shot by our Tokyo Motor Show reporter, Phil Alex

Mazda-Powered Supasse V Sports Coupe to Premiere at Tokyo Show

Mazda-Powered Supasse V Sports Coupe to Premiere at Tokyo Show

Unless you happen to live in Japan, chances are that like us, you've probably never heard of Suzusho Ltd before. After a bit of snooping around the firm's website, we found out that Suzusho is small company that builds a Lotus 7 replica named Suppase-C for the domestic market. At this month's Tokyo Motor Show, the company will launch a new model called Supasse-V which is a small mid-engined coupe that's schedule to go on sale in Japan sometime during 2010.

It's definitely not a pretty site, but looks aside, it does tip the scale at just 850 kg or 1,874 lbs thanks to its compact dimensions and the use of lightweight materials such as aluminum and fiberglass.

Power comes from a mid-mounted 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine sourced from the Mazda3 MPS / MazdaSpeed3 tweaked to deliver an extra 10 horsepower for a total output of 270HP. This gives the Supasse-V a power to weight ratio of 3.1kg/hp or 6.9lbs/hp.

More details including performance figures, prices and availability are to be announced at the Tokyo Show.

Via: Leblogauto and Worldcarfans