Tag: Concept Car

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Feel like a Mazda Pilot in the new Shinshi Concept

Mazda Shinshi Concept front-end

From the Batmobile to Knight Rider’s KITT, futuristic supercars have captured adult and adolescent imagination alike for generations. You may be more a fan of the souped-up vehicles of “Death Race 2000” or the more grounded tricked out rides of the “The Fast and The Furious” franchise, but we guarantee some Hollywood-style car has caught your eye and affixed itself permanently in your brain. You might be focused on the here and now of your car and it’s modification or issues, but fueling the imagination never hurts.

For those of you in our CorkSport community who always thought Speed Racer’s powerful Mach 5 was dope, you’re going to love this new concept Mazda: the Mazda Shinshi.

The Mazda of the Future?

Mazda Shinshi Concept front-end

Designed by Barcelona’s Miguel Angel Bahri, the Mazda Shinshi looks ready for the mean streets of “Akira’s” Neo-Tokyo. “After the initial thoughts, the challenge was to develop a concept inspired by the Japanese culture,” Nahri explains. “Taking, also, influence from nature and the ocean, with the stingray and the samurai’s DNA serving as a bridge to connect the SHINSHI proposal with Mazda’s design philosophy.” You can delve into all his influences and design process more deeply, from fighter pilots to James Franco, but we think he’s delivered on his inspiration in spades.

With 4 in-wheel electric motors and integrated systems, Bahri didn’t just look at a sleek exterior, he put some attention to performance, as well. The wheel systems are fed by a graphene-optimized supercapacitor and a rotary bio-fueled engine boost that main battery for a clean energy car that might make you scoff, until you see his specs have it max out at 310 kph (192 mph) — still some good race track fun to be had from this environmentally-conscious concept car!

Get ready to Top Gun this ride, Maverick!

Mazda Shinshi concept steering wheel

The feature that really makes this design feel futuristic, though, is the flight control-like steering wheel.

How a wheel like this really functions on the road is pure speculation, but you’ve got to admire the design sense. “Blade Runner”-style flying cars might be many years away, and — let’s be honest — would probably take the fun out of curve-hugging road driving, but a Mazda that makes you feel like a test pilot would be worth a test drive, at least.

What do you think of the Mazda Shinshi concept? Too high tech? Just right? Let us know in the comments below. And keep following the CorkSport blog for more modification advice and tips, Mazda lifestyle talk, and — as the arise — speculation on far out Mazda concepts.

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The New RX Unveiled

Mazda announced their latest concept car, the new RX-VISION. The new car will feature a rotary engine.

Let’s talk rotary!!! It’s no big surprise to any Mazda enthusiast, or car enthusiast for that matter, that Mazda released the first full concept look at the new Mazda RX. If you’re anything like us at the CorkSport office, you were giddy with joy talking about all the things the car may or may not have. I can say personally I was like a kid on Christmas morning as I saw the silk piece of fabric come rolling off the sleek sexy body line of the new car. I was thrilled. So like any true enthusiast, I want to share my thoughts on what I think we will and will not see when it comes to a production model a few years down the road.

Mazda rotary dreams have come true. Mazda announced their latest concept car, the new RX-VISION.

Mazda unveiled their latest concept car, the new RX-VISION with a rotary engine.

Let me first start by making it clear that none of what I’m about to say is confirmed. It’s my personal opinion on the car and what I think we will see in a true production model. SO here we go.

The first things to go will be the wheels and tires along with the side view mirrors. I’d say right now, with much confidence, that none of that will show up on a production model for various DOT regulation purposes. On that note, I think the A-pillar will move forward a lot and the roof line will be raised. I just don’t think that nice low profile will actually hit the streets. I think it’ll be a much more person-friendly entry for the average guy (or gal). Next, I don’t think the turn signals will stay unless they either get larger or are very bright. Once again, I base this off the fact that in order for this car to be legal to sell in the U.S., it will have to pass all DOT and NHTSA standards and they have quite a few in regards to glass, lights, crash test ratings, and much more.

Now for what I think we will see. We were all pretty much told that it will get a rotary engine but no details about the engine itself were released. On that note, I think we can say with confidence it’ll be a rotary engine under the SKYACTIV nameplate. It will have to be much cleaner and more fuel efficient than the outgoing Renesis engine to meet current EPA standards. I personally think it will be a naturally aspirated 3 rotor. I come to this conclusion because it will need the third rotor to make power — that really long hood profile tells me they need the room for something. Also, I think it will rev out real nice, as they all do, and be mated to a nice 6 speed manual of some sort.

The new Mazda RX has been revealed!

Like I said, this is all educated guesses of what I think will happen, but there’re still tons of maybes and what ifs out there. I think we’ll see the car around late 2018 or early 2019, with a price tag in the mid 50k range. Regardless, I think Mazda will deliver a great car that will live up to its legend and I’ll definitely want to drive it.

If you build it, they will come.

Cheers,

Vincent