The next item on my reality list is the Mazda RX-8 equipped with a rotary engine that burns hydrogen. Reality? That's right. Mazda is
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| A limited number of Mazda RX-8 coupes equipped with rotary engines that burn hydrogen will hit the streets in Japan. (Photo: Mazda Canada) |
showing off this car because it plans to lease a limited number of them as street rats, essentially, getting feedback on the technology from a small number of hydrogen hungry drivers. Other than being a hydrogen-powered ICE (internal combustion engine), similar to BMW's hydrogen-powered 7-Series and MINI Coopers, instead of a hydrogen fuel cell-powered electric motor, I'll have to get back to you on how this specific drivetrain works because there was nothing more in the press release.
Also
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| Mazda is currently working on a production version of the MX-Crossport that will be called the CX-7. (Photo: Mazda Canada) |
on the list of cars we've actually seen before is the MX-Crossport, as Mazda would like to have it called, a Sports car Utility Vehicle. It definitely is 'bold' and 'athletic', but we'll see how much of that gets whitewashed once the real deal is shown (expected for Detroit in January), after the product planners, bean counters and marketing types have had their hands all over it, ran the numbers and held their focus groups. Mazda is currently working on a production model that will be called the CX-7, as mentioned previously in this monologue, based on the MX-Crossport concept. In Tokyo, it was shown in pure concept form, with high-tech Borg-interface interior and an exterior that looks like the RX-8's big brother on steroids.
