X-Mozilla-Keys:                                                                                 

Marc wrote:

Here is an article from Automotive News Dated 10/25/1999, read it with a
grain of salt, I see errors already..............
Title:  Mazda to build RX-Evolv for U.S. Market

Tokyo- The RX-Evolv concept sports sedan will come to america as a
production vehicle and will have a pure sports car offshoot as well, Mazda
Motor Corp.'s top product executive said.

  The platform used for the RX-Evolv is that of the next-generation Miata
with a stretched whell-base.  By getting more volume from a platform, Mazda
will be better able to amortize the cost of creating a low volume RX-7
sports car from the same framework, said Martin Leach, Mazda's managing
director for product planning, design and programs.

  Mazda calls the RX-Evolv "the next big thing in sports cars."  But Leach
added that the positioning will be different from what Mazda would want from
"a purist's sports car."

  "Having a four-door sports car gives the vehicle broader appeal," he said.
  "That gives us the solid financial footing to do more with the platform."

Mazda was able to get 280 hp from its twin-rotor Rotary engine without
turbochargers by using better breathing mechanisms-- a tumble port in the
second stage, Leach said.

  But if the owner doesn't want the driver-- a teenage son, for example-- to
be able to use all the engine's power, an identification card inserted into
the instrument panel can reduce the vehicle's performance.

  Leach did not give an introduction date for the car, but said it will take
at least two years to bring it to production.  Mazda dropped the RX-7 from
its US lineup after the 1996 model year.

- -->  The side note says that the suicide doors may not make it, but the car
is a go for America, as are other derivatives.

 
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