Mazda Not Working on RX-9, Odds of a New RX-7 Are Slim But Real

May 26, 2011 at 3:56pm by Justin Berkowitz

Contrary to recent rumors claiming that Mazda is considering building a hybrid RX-9 sports car, which would marry a gasoline-fueled rotary engine to an electric-drive system borrowed from Toyota, we can confirm that the company has no plans for such a vehicle. In fact, the very future of the rotary engine at Mazda is in jeopardy.

Production of the Mazda RX-8 is drawing to a close, and given the vehicle’s tiny sales volume—just 291 were sold in the U.S. from January to April of this year—we’re told by a company insider that there wasn’t even a business case for a special “end-of-the-road” edition with unique paint and badging. With the RX-8's passing, Mazda won’t have a vehicle in which to install its current 1.3-liter rotary screamer. (It’s worth noting that new European emissions standards could have been the nail in the coffin for Mazda’s rotary, too, but this is a chicken-and-egg debate.)

We have learned, however, that there is a quiet movement within Mazda to build an RX-7 as a replacement. Such a vehicle would borrow (and, most likely, enlarge) the platform from the next-generation Miata, which should hit the market in a bit less than two years. This project hasn’t received any official green light, though, and we don’t know whether it’s merely on the drawing board or has moved on to skunkworks production.

The passing of the RX-8 is sad, as the vehicle’s chassis and steering are among the best in the business, and we love the distinctiveness of the rotary engine. But it’s hard to argue with the economics of the car business, and a small company like Mazda can hardly afford to build two sports cars on unique platforms in such small numbers. Still, we hope to be able to bring you official confirmation at some point of an MX-5-based RX-7—that day is just not today.

For more on the current RX-8, check out our 2011 Lightning Lap.

Tags: Mazda, Mazda RX-7, Mazda RX-8, Rotary Engine |

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Cadillac Working on Softtop Convertible to Slot Between the ATS and CTS

April 28, 2011 at 3:37pm by Jens Meiners

After ending production of the XLR following the 2009 model year, Cadillac is planning to re-enter the convertible market with a distinctly different approach. Twice, Cadillac has aimed high, first with the Pininfarina-bodied Allanté that went out of production in 1993, and then with the XLR, a folding-hardtop roadster that shared much of its architecture with the Chevrolet Corvette.

Burned by weak sales of these expensive boutique models, Cadillac will bring its next convertible in at a much lower price. It will be based on the upcoming Alpha platform, which underpins both the 2013 ATS compact sedan and the next-generation CTS. The new convertible won’t just be an open-top ATS, though. Instead, it will be positioned between the ATS and the CTS and have unique styling that sets it apart from both models. Think of it as the equivalent of the Audi A5 convertible.

There is one important aspect which the new convertible shares with the A5 cabrio: It will have a softtop. The luxury-convertible segment is split on this issue: The Audi, the upcoming Cadillac, and the Mercedes-Benz E-class cabriolet sport fabric roofs. On the other side of the fence are the convertible versions of the BMW 3-series, the Lexus IS, and the Infiniti G37, all equipped with folding hardtops. While this style of retractable roof eats up trunk space and adds substantial weight, it does give onlookers something to gawp at when the complex mechanism begins the transformation from coupe to convertible and vice versa. As enthusiasts, we’re fans of the lighter cloth-top approach—though we do understand the all-season appeal of folding metal for some folks.

Engine choices for the new Cadillac convertible are not clear at this point, but the platform could potentially host anything from a turbocharged four to V-6 and V-8 engines. Look for the new car to be launched in late 2013 for the 2014 model year.

Tags: Cadillac, Cadillac ATS, Cadillac CTS, convertibles |

View the original article here

Cadillac Working on Softtop Convertible to Slot Between the ATS and CTS

April 28, 2011 at 3:37pm by Jens Meiners

After ending production of the XLR following the 2009 model year, Cadillac is planning to re-enter the convertible market with a distinctly different approach. Twice, Cadillac has aimed high, first with the Pininfarina-bodied Allanté that went out of production in 1993, and then with the XLR, a folding-hardtop roadster that shared much of its architecture with the Chevrolet Corvette.

Burned by weak sales of these expensive boutique models, Cadillac will bring its next convertible in at a much lower price. It will be based on the upcoming Alpha platform, which underpins both the 2013 ATS compact sedan and the next-generation CTS. The new convertible won’t just be an open-top ATS, though. Instead, it will be positioned between the ATS and the CTS and have unique styling that sets it apart from both models. Think of it as the equivalent of the Audi A5 convertible.

There is one important aspect which the new convertible shares with the A5 cabrio: It will have a softtop. The luxury-convertible segment is split on this issue: The Audi, the upcoming Cadillac, and the Mercedes-Benz E-class cabriolet sport fabric roofs. On the other side of the fence are the convertible versions of the BMW 3-series, the Lexus IS, and the Infiniti G37, all equipped with folding hardtops. While this style of retractable roof eats up trunk space and adds substantial weight, it does give onlookers something to gawp at when the complex mechanism begins the transformation from coupe to convertible and vice versa. As enthusiasts, we’re fans of the lighter cloth-top approach—though we do understand the all-season appeal of folding metal for some folks.

Engine choices for the new Cadillac convertible are not clear at this point, but the platform could potentially host anything from a turbocharged four to V-6 and V-8 engines. Look for the new car to be launched in late 2013 for the 2014 model year.

Tags: Cadillac, Cadillac ATS, Cadillac CTS, convertibles |

View the original article here