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12-28-2007, 02:40 AM
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#1 (permalink)
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|  Mazda's ALMS based Furai concept breaks cover
We got a small preview of the Furai Concept with a teaser photo released by Mazda a few weeks ago, but Inside Line has let the cat out of the bag with a full set of photos and more details about the car. The Furai, which translates to "sound of wind", is built on a Courage C65 chassis that was campaigned by Mazda in the 2005 ALMS season. It features a fully-running three-rotor Mazda 20B rotary engine that runs on E100 ethanol and produces around 450 horsepower. The flowing shape of the Furai was co-designed by Mazda and Swift Engineering at Mazda's design studio in Southern California. Expect the full details and tons of photos when we see the car in person at the Detroit Auto Show in just a few weeks. Until then, fix your eyes on the gallery of photos below.
[Source: Inside Line]    
As a Mazda owner and a huge fan of Mazda's involvement in the ALMS, I'm EXTREMELY excited to get to see this car in person at NAIAS in about 3 weeks! | 
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12-28-2007, 10:24 AM
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#2 (permalink)
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WOW!!! 
Now that is a concept car!! | |
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12-28-2007, 11:06 AM
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#3 (permalink)
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12-28-2007, 02:22 PM
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#4 (permalink)
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If that's the future. Me likey! 
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As long as we have a number, I'm happy. | |
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12-28-2007, 08:44 PM
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A ride-along and some more pictures here. Mazda Furai Concept - Concept Vehicles - Motor Trend
"The sound emanating from Furai's tailpipes is one of pure pain and fury. It's the shriek of millions of ethanol molecules crying out in unison, as they're brutally compressed and set afire. At wide-open throttle, Furai sends up a bone-chilling howl. Apparently, the name is Japanese for the "sound of wind." Wind emanating from where, the depths of hell?"  | |
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12-29-2007, 01:26 AM
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#6 (permalink)
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Dang, if this thing sounds so evil, where the heck is the video????
It looks cool. I am sure a lot of people will really be pumped to have a rotary engine back in the ALMS.
Still, the rotary is a bit of a disadvantage normally. The way the driveline works, it's shape, and displacement vs horsepower is a bit different. Has the horsepower thing been addressed in the regulations for this year. I don't think it has in any direct way. | |
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12-29-2007, 01:40 AM
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#7 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hallen  Dang, if this thing sounds so evil, where the heck is the video????
It looks cool. I am sure a lot of people will really be pumped to have a rotary engine back in the ALMS.
Still, the rotary is a bit of a disadvantage normally. The way the driveline works, it's shape, and displacement vs horsepower is a bit different. Has the horsepower thing been addressed in the regulations for this year. I don't think it has in any direct way. | Umm, did you read the article? This is a concept car based on their old Courage ALMS car. It is not a new ALMS race car, and I'd say there's a slim to none chance we'll see a rotary in the ALMS again...
Last edited by WMUCarGuy : 12-29-2007 at 02:07 AM.
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12-29-2007, 02:00 AM
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#8 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WMUCarGuy Umm, did you read what it said? This is a concept car based on their old Courage ALMS car. It is not a new ALMS race car, and I'd say there's a slim to none chance we'll see a rotary in the ALMS again... | I didn't read what you said, but I did read what you wrote. I also glanced through the linked article. It is a concept car. It is built on a Le Mans chassis. Hence, the assumption that it could be used in the ALMS. You didn't say it wasn't.
I would still like to hear the car. If Mazda comes out with a car even remotely like this one, which probably won't happen, it would be very cool, especially with their support of grass roots racing. I am a Mazda fan because of their support of racing at all levels. If I ever buy a non-BMW car, Mazda will be way up on my list of options because of that (are you listening BMW??? ) | |
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12-30-2007, 01:41 PM
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#9 (permalink)
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A quote from Inside Line on the Furai
"" What is it?
Mazda Furai Concept What's special about it?
Remember Mazda's overall win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1991? The rotor-heads at Mazda sure do, and they created the Furai as a reminder of that accomplishment. Half concept car dreamery, half prototype racer, the Furai is less a car than a statement of Mazda's intention to re-enter the fabled endurance race at some undisclosed time, presumably in the near future. "
I guess they made the same assumption I did. It still may be far fetched. | |
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12-30-2007, 05:46 PM
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#10 (permalink)
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