If the performance is anything like what you'd expect from 250 hp in a lightweight sedan, it might very well sway me from the other cars in that price range. Speaking of which, they're still claiming to target "under $30k for a well equipped model," with entry level models starting as low as $26- ish. That was an "off the podium" quote from one of their spokesmen. That aims it above the Accords and Camrys, at about the same range as the entry level BMW and Volvo offerings, and significantly less than an expectedly similar performing BMW M3.
BTW, that 250 hp number is revised down from the original 276 hp numbers that I had heard. No word on why. Still, 250 hp out of 1.3 liters of normally aspirated (non-turbo) rotary engine is nothing to scoff at!
Also in the Mazda section was a 1960's era Cosmo Sport, demonstrating truly incredible road holding that is only possible with a lightweight rotary engine. :) That's Pete Morel, from the Tri-State (NYC) region RX-7 club, proving that he trusts the display assemblers at the Jacob Javits Center.
These are full size mockups of the first Mazda production rotary engine. Note the single exhaust pipe -- yep, one rotor!
If I didn't have a GSL-SE, I'd buy a used Miata. If you haven't driven one, go stop by a dealer and go for a test drive. I really, truly, honestly believe that it's the most fun vehicle on the road today, more so than the 3rd gen RX-7, more so than even my friend's Porsche Boxster. It won't generate the numbers that either of those cars will, but I think it can generate more broad grins on the drivers face than anything else currently available, at any price. So if/when Mazda gets around to producing a rotary powered roadster, as the rumors have implied that they will, it just might be enough to get me to part with my old 'classic.'
In the meantime, check out this Miata concept:
Needless to say, the New York Auto Show wasn't all sports cars. Volkswagen was their showing off their Microbus concept. It looks pretty cool, and will undoubtedly have a market with soccer moms who like New Beetles and Audi TTs. Obviously, some of those cockpit features will not make it into production. (Check out the gearshift on the center console.) But the floor is a rubber mat, perfect to quickly hose out those spilled soft drinks and dropped french fries.
Lincoln was proudly displaying their Blackwood Pickup Truck. If I had Fifty Grand to throw away and needed a tow vehicle for a race car, this would be it!
I'm told that this is an Aston Martin, probably a DB-7. It doesn't matter... I can't afford one.
BMW's new Mini! Look for one soon, at an autocross near you!
More expensive stuff, from Saleen...
...Lamborghini...
...Lotus...
...and Avanti. Avanti??? (Yes, they're still being made.)
Ford had their Forty Nine concept car on display. This was before my time, but I believe it's a retro concept based on a 1949 Mercury.
Ford's Thunderbird is actually a production car. Good luck finding one outside of a car show, though!
The "audience of two," gathered to hear the Mercury Mountaineer pitch, was very telling about the state of the SUV era. There were still SUVs and pickups at the show that could gather a crowd, but there is a clear trend that could be detected at the show that said "SUVs are out, sports cars are in." Hurray!!!
Just another 911...
It had a typical Pontiac front end -- too busy -- but the G8 concept car was actually pretty nice looking. Will I be able to rent one at the airport? :)
Pontiac is obviously getting tired of losing sales to the Honda Civic riceboy crowd.
When the concept designers at Pontiac relinquished control of the Pontiac Aztec -- the most butt-ugly car on the road today -- to the production types, they set their sites on the "Sports SUV" market and created this Pontiac REV.
Speaking of the Aztec, our own Paul McMillan was so enamored by this woodsman's dream, that he had to go check it out. That's Paul standing in the first picture, seated in the second. Will there be a red RX-7 GSL-SE with a for sale sign on it soon? (Hee, hee) :)
Not everyone present agreed with me that this PT Cruiser Convertible concept would be a runaway best seller, but I liked it....
The new "Z" will be released by Nissan at around the same time, and price point, that the Mazda RX-8 will be at.
GM's new Hummer model, the H2, will target a less aggressive customer than the original Terminator-tailored Hummer. Note the infra-red camera on the roof above the passenger. It displayed an image on a console mounted screen. No word yet on the voice command missile-targetting system.
"After Bob lost his job with the Pontiac Aztec design team, he took his revenge by helping Isuzu create a competitor. He really showed them!"
A cutaway of Subaru's flat six:
The 1902 "Ford 999," producing 50 horsepower from 18 liters...
The Mazda 787B. The only Japanese manufactured vehicle ever to win the 24 Hours of LeMans. Powered by Mr. Wankel's finest...
The McLaren F1. Note the cockpit controls...
That's all folks! It took five hours to see the whole show, and that's even after we walked right past about 80% of the vehicles.