|
|
Thread: New REPU
[' This thread is 2 pages long: (1)
2 '] |
admin
Administrator
Posts: 446
|
posted February 19, 2003 01:16 PM |
|
New REPU
We ran an article over at RotaryNews, semi speculating about Mazda's future products... This speculation, however, is based on conversations we've had with those within Mazda.
This speculation includes a possible REPU! The key is getting the higher-ups, marketing types, and execs to buy off on the idea of a mini-truck with a RENESIS.
Post your suggestions here as to how to sell the idea to the execs.
____________
I'm The Admin, thats why!
|
|
Draggin_2600i
Redlining
Posts: 235
|
posted February 19, 2003 01:40 PM |
|
Yeah I heard about that at Nopistons.com...
The mentioned it.. I think it would be great, and if the price was reasonable I would rather finance that than a New Rx7 or Rx8
Well as far as Idea.. I am a bit short on those.. but if they could get the performance to be comparable to a pretty fast car or faster the any of the other trucks in its class, it could be definately marketed.. That is what most pther cmopanies are doing now in ther ads.. they show how they match up to the competition.. or if they could make it an option, with special trim.. that would be nice also..
|
|
dodge48
1st Gear
They call me the "Anti-Honda"
Posts: 41
|
|
posted February 19, 2003 01:48 PM |
|
Possibley bringing the repu back eh? sounds like a good idea. I would have to look into one of those. Seems like a few car companies are looking back to the past for ideas now. Like dodge with the HEMI. Or chevrolet with that 2 seater sports truck based off of a 1951 chevy pickup. I forgot what they call the thing. Even Ford with the new 2004/5 mustang based off of the old 65 model. Anyway a repu would be a good way to go if it was fast and was good on gas.
____________
Always remember in life: If at first you don’t succeeded, sky diving isn't for you.
|
|
admin
Administrator
Posts: 446
|
posted February 19, 2003 01:51 PM |
|
|
But, how would you sell the execs at Mazda on the idea of a new REPU?
|
|
dodge48
1st Gear
They call me the "Anti-Honda"
Posts: 41
|
|
posted February 19, 2003 01:52 PM |
 Edited By: dodge48 on 19 Feb 2003 13:53 |
well they are in it for the money obviously. Show how it would make money and they might go for it. Im no buisness man lol
____________
Always remember in life: If at first you don’t succeeded, sky diving isn't for you.
|
|
Draggin_2600i
Redlining
Posts: 235
|
|
posted February 19, 2003 02:12 PM |
|
|
well there seems to be growing interest in the industry for the old trucks, one of the best ways would be to setup up a booth with a prototype and maybe and old Repu to see what interest the public shows at this years or next years SEMA show and Sevenstock.. Hell maybe we might even try to arrange poll of some sort like that.. and turn in the results to the MazdaExecs.. There is a masive following of rotorheads that would gladly replace a pistoned vehicle for a rotary one.. It would be nice to wait for the RX8 to be out for a year or so to see how the engine holds up.. Once people get the whole rotary engine nervousness out of their heads they will be willing to try it..
|
|
dodge48
1st Gear
They call me the "Anti-Honda"
Posts: 41
|
|
posted February 19, 2003 03:41 PM |
|
That is true. Todays market seems to be mainly on one extreme or the other. Most of the younger croud is into those rice rocket cars. The other seems to be for full sized pickups/Suv's. And I mean full size. Even chevrolet will be dropping the S-10 soon for a more favorable midesized pickup rinning the new I-6 motors. I believe they are on the tahoe chassis, is that right? Anyways to make this thing fly they will have to be a little bigger than the original ones, and defintly a extended cab or crew cab. Maybe even one of those Crew cabs with the shortened bed they call a "cargo box" may be in the works. I will enjoy seeing how these new rotary motors hold up since THAT will determine the fate of the repu's.
____________
Always remember in life: If at first you don’t succeeded, sky diving isn't for you.
|
|
Klaus43
Rotorhead
Posts: 1259
|
posted February 19, 2003 05:15 PM |
|
The new motors will hold up great, no doubt...
I'd sell the concept to the execs by taking them for a ride in a resto REPU that they'd NEVER forget! Nothing like the old on-ramp explosion to get things dramatized effectively for the not-so-recently initiated... Other than that, they oughta come on down to the forum and rant with us! Maybe pass out a few special parts to get in good w./ the guys... we'll give 'em an earful, no doubt! REPU Ichiban!
Now, as far as bigger being better, I dunno...to be true to the REPU of old, it'd have to be an rx-8 in truck clothing--and no crew-cab super-long-wheelbase bs for me! Just gimme a renesis-powered, perfect weight distribution, super-handling, light mini-truck that I can actually afford, that totally kicks ass performance-wise. Of course, a FEW more inches of cab would be nice...as would the requisite styling tie-ins to the trucks we own and love. Gotta have those fender flares! Round taillights too, and a unique-to-the-model grille. Functional, yet bad-ass...a v-8 killer.
Did I remember to say "Please!"?
|
|
sparky
Redlining
Posts: 299
|
|
posted February 19, 2003 05:48 PM |
|
|
I think if mazda reintroduced the repu with a 3-rotor it's performance and power would be very competitive with other full size trucks.
|
|
nwaco
Redlining
Posts: 407
|
|
posted February 19, 2003 05:58 PM |
Edited By: nwaco on 19 Feb 2003 18:02
|
I too believe that they would need to be in-tune with the past classic styling that has kept the REPU alive in so many of us. I want power, speed, agility, and the ability to carry a fair load with the only penalty being a little off the line spunk. I want not a full-sized truck, but an able bodied mid-sized sport frame carrying a sport sedan RX-8 styled cab followed by a very practical, usable and super tough bed.
I would accept nothing less than the round taillights, the rear battery, the simple electronics, the forward opening hood, and the one-of-a-kind grill. I want a large, lower air intake that screams power, and of course a "Turbo-charged" renesis that purrs to a throaty rumble before ripping through six-speeds of thunder. With a killer center console mounted to a ashphalt-lifting stereo, leather bucket seats that grip like non-skid, I would tear up the road.
I want chrome baby, lots of chrome. No bullshit front or rear wrap plastic bumpers for me. I want a truck that I can polish. I want a hitch that means its a truck. I want a rear end that has the gears of a Catarpillar. Give me a reason to lift the nose on an abondoned road.
I want it simple enough to take it apart, clean it and put it back together.
Give me this, and Ill give you my loyalty.
|
|
dodge48
1st Gear
They call me the "Anti-Honda"
Posts: 41
|
|
posted February 19, 2003 06:18 PM |
Edited By: dodge48 on 19 Feb 2003 18:24
|
Damn man, I think you know what you want, lmao. When i say larger I dont mean no dodge ram. Im talking just a tad bit smaller than a dakota, but bigger than the s-10. They may, if they make them, keep them small. Which they probably will. But im sure they will offer a extended cab version, which i wouldnt consider bs (klaus42, i see what you said about it lol). I wish i could see a design of the thing, you know it will be sweet. Anyways about holding up, they probably will, but any new engine can have it's flaws no matter who made it.
____________
Always remember in life: If at first you don’t succeeded, sky diving isn't for you.
|
|
repuguru
Redlining
Posts: 319
|
|
posted February 19, 2003 09:01 PM |
Edited By: repuguru on 19 Feb 2003 21:04
|
Damn, I'd love a full size REPU with a 3 rotor.
All the cab options would be wonderful!
I'd love a 6 speed with a rock crawling 1st gear.
Turbo would be a must if it were a dually.
I just don't think Mazda would risk it and go head to head with the big American trucks. But a special ute type of vehicle like that box thing Honda makes right now would be cool.
The 4 door mini truck would be a possible market for the REPU to come back. But make this truck ready to convert to an SUV or just convert like the GMC Avalanch. With a few accessories this truck can go either off road or on the strip. Do what ever. Make it all wheel drive and you'll really drive the market wild.
It seem hard to justify a special pickup when you look at the amount of Rangers and B-series trucks Mazda produces right now.
Make it in the REPU styling cues. I'm imagining 4 doors. But something unique to the small trucks. Like a folding down rear seat to allow motorcycles on board, or a factory rear compartment lid to convert the cargo area to passenger space, storage. Much like the station wagon used to do, except larger.
Just an idea.
|
|
Klaus43
Rotorhead
Posts: 1259
|
posted February 20, 2003 08:15 AM |
|
Yes! All-wheel drive!
A renesis-powered next-gen REPU that outdoes all the subaroos...but I gotta say that to me, the Avalanche is the biggest, ugliest, poorest excuse for a badly-styled, overweight SUV ever...only thing on the road uglier is that angular moon-roving Pontiac Aztec...yuk!
While we're dreaming: I hear the rotary is well-suited to hydrogen...I want mine with exhaust we can breathe!
|
|
Draggin_2600i
Redlining
Posts: 235
|
|
posted February 20, 2003 10:31 AM |
|
|
okspeaking of Subaru, they are offering a new style of the Brat.. So basically a New Repu would need to marketed, as the outperformer, and go anywhere pickup.. It should look fun and still be able enough for work..
|
|
brad
Rotorhead
Posts: 1672
|
|
posted February 20, 2003 01:35 PM |
Edited By: brad on 20 Feb 2003 13:36
|
post it on rotarynews!
Hi Guys,
Be sure to post your comments on rotarynews. I think they're trying to get MAZDA to look at it. Actual feedback from current/prospective buyers.
http://rotarynews.com/view.php?id=158
____________
-brad-
74 REPU Lawn Green
81 Rx-7 racecar. 12a J-
Bridge
|
|
admin
Administrator
Posts: 446
|
posted February 20, 2003 02:02 PM |
|
Yes
(I think this is a safe enoungh place to revil this, as I don't see any Mazda people reading this forum)
That posting on rotarynews is a direct result from a conversation we had with the R&D Dept at Mazda. Two of the things we 'speculate' on in that article are in a early stage of planning.
What is happening is the following: there are three teams within Mazda, each charged with coming up with concepts a peice. Japan, Europe being the two other teams. The teams will present their concepts to the execs, and the one with the best business case, and support for the community will get a go-ahead to go into the concept phase, and have a car shown at a show.
Now, hopefully a business case can be made for a Small truck, smaller than their Ranger-based B series.
From where I sit now, there are two trucks on the market right now that could be considered mini-trucks, the 2x4 Tacoma standard cab, and the Nissan Frontieer 2x4 standard cab. These trucks are the ones that, at least back in the early 90's, guys would go in a nd trick out. They were a good size, had amble room in the back for sterio's and what not, plus were cheap.
If Mazda were to offer a cheap mini truck with a powerful 250HP RENESIS, the truck-tuners would be all over it.
|
|
Draggin_2600i
Redlining
Posts: 235
|
|
posted February 20, 2003 02:13 PM |
|
|
Good, point, the truck would be best to stay small, since it would be the easiest to take advantage of the small size large displacement engine.. and distributing the weight would be easier.. Just pair it up with some good handling characteristics to stomp on a Tacoma S runner(v6) and you would have a pretty popular truck.. It would also have to be stardard cab cause of price, and maybe a limited production run the first year.. I think the Ranger, B-series might be a good start to modify on, or perhaps using and existing smaller non american truck platform, slightly modified, of course, to stay true to the old REPU..and keep costs down.
|
|
Draggin_2600i
Redlining
Posts: 235
|
|
posted February 20, 2003 02:30 PM |
|
a lil truck like this...
|
|
dodge48
1st Gear
They call me the "Anti-Honda"
Posts: 41
|
|
posted February 20, 2003 02:49 PM |
Edited By: dodge48 on 20 Feb 2003 14:53
|
Isnt that one of those newer foriegn made couriers? God i hope they dont put it in that body style. It appears to be a uni-body. I wouldnt too much care for that. If they actually will get to do this repu thing, i can see them offering it more as a option in a truck first before they would go design a whole new truck. I say offering it because if they try to modify a exsisting truck, i dont think they will give up on all of there piston engines for the rotary engines. People will still want there inline 4's and v6's
____________
Always remember in life: If at first you don’t succeeded, sky diving isn't for you.
|
|
Klaus43
Rotorhead
Posts: 1259
|
posted February 20, 2003 02:54 PM |
Edited By: klaus42 on 20 Feb 2003 14:57
|
Right On!
I think we can count on quite different perspectives from the European and Japanese groups...We are definitely THE small performance truck market! Now this mini-beast just needs a really good, catchy name for the marketing ploy...
I can see it now: rx-8 crossed with repu, full-time all-wheel drive, on-the-fly suspension adjustment, and the supercharged (preferably) balls to stomp all over everything, on-road, at autocross, and rallying! Mmmmmmazda!
Hope they don't forget all about our rotary-loving brothers Down Under...there's another market for such a creation...
|
|
| All times are PST (US)
[' This thread is 2 pages long: (1)
2 '] |
|
|
