What if...Honda and Mazda joint together to come up something to compete with 86?

[chenshuo]

Originally Posted by Turbowned

Mazda and Honda have built some great sports cars in the past; if they ever were to work together to build a sports car, the result would undoubtedly be spectacular, as long as they keep it gasoline-powered and don't screw around with hybrid/diesel drivetrains. Those are awesome for economy, not going fast or having fun! *cough* CR-Z *cough*

What cars have they built together?

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by chenshuo

What cars have they built together?

He did not mean built together.

[chenshuo]

Originally Posted by Burrcold

He did not mean built together.

Ohh... I must improve on my english then :p

[dsgerbc]

Originally Posted by fatoni

the 4c is not the mazda/alfa car. the 4c is a 60k+ elise type deal.

This. Fiat wants to use Alfa brand to milk higher-margin luxury segment. I expect something like an Elise, but has a bit of creature comforts and can comply with safety regulations.
But I'll truly believe it when I see it.

[a.beck]

Originally Posted by Turbowned

as long as they keep it gasoline-powered and don't screw around with hybrid/diesel drivetrains. Those are awesome for economy, not going fast or having fun!

Um.... I'll just leave this here: http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7...victory-twice/
See also: http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1...-le-mans-racer

[BRZfan]

Isn't Mitsubishi OUT of the North American market???

Originally Posted by zigzagz94

mitsubishi motors (not the keiretsu) and mazda maybe as they're both relatively small and it would be financially difficult for them to go at a new 86 style sportscar on their own. honda doesn't really have to partner up and neither does nissan.

[BRZfan]

Originally Posted by dsgerbc

This. Fiat wants to use Alfa brand to milk higher-margin luxury segment. I expect something like an Elise, but has a bit of creature comforts and can comply with safety regulations.
But I'll truly believe it when I see it.

"Fiat"? Why do I think Chrysler might somehow be eventually involved?

[wbradley]

I assure you Honda would not wish to associate with Mazda.

[NOHOME]

Don't think that Mazda needs much help. The Miata is a well established product that toyota and Subaru still need to work on if they hope to have a better product.

The Miata philosophy from the start was a japanese word that meant "One between the horse and rider" The Toyobaru philosophy seems to be whatever the japanese word for "build a bridge and get over it" would be.

As much as I think the handling targets for the twins are spot on, I think the car is at least a year early to market and a ring or two outside of "bullseye".

[86BRZ]

The more I think about it, I feel more lucky that I owned and driving one today. Both Toyota and Subaru technology/experience in one car. How often can this happen?

[zigzagz94]

Originally Posted by BRZfan

Isn't Mitsubishi OUT of the North American market???

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/12/m...-in-september/

No that was Suzuki that left the North American Market last year.

Realistically they might as well be dead though; Mitsubishi is vowing to soldier on despite the fact they only sold around 55,000 vehicles total for the fiscal year 2012 in the U.S..

Mitsu is going through a soul searching process right now and seem to be focusing on trying to "out green" Toyota. Their new "eco friendly" branding started with the i EV and will continue with the reintroduction of the 1.0l 3 cyl Mirage to the U.S. and Canada.

I personally don't think the all in on tree hugging route is the right way for them to go. Historically, during their most profitable hey day, Mitsu was known for performance vehicles. Almost every model had a high tech performance variant: 3000 GT VR4, Eclipse GSX, Galant VR4, Lancer EVO, Colt Ralliart Version R, etc...

Both Mitsu and Mazda's engineers are very capable of producing wonderful sportscars but their managements are holding them back (Miata notwithstanding). A joint venture in a similar vein as the Toyobaru project could yield an excellent sportscar.

[Turbowned]

Originally Posted by a.beck

Um.... I'll just leave this here: http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7...victory-twice/
See also: http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1...-le-mans-racer

Yes, thank you I'm well aware of Audi's technological masterpiece. I'm also aware of Porsche's hybrid race cars and Mazda's diesel race cars. While that stuff is great in a multi-million dollar race car, it won't translate well to an affordable sports car. The technology is too new, complicated, and expensive right now.

[M1schiev0us]

Originally Posted by Turbowned

Mazda and Honda have built some great sports cars in the past; if they ever were to work together to build a sports car, the result would undoubtedly be spectacular, as long as they keep it gasoline-powered and don't screw around with hybrid/diesel drivetrains.Those are awesome for economy, not going fast or having fun! *cough* CR-Z *cough*

*COUGH* Porsche 918 Spyder *COUGH*

Sure, it'll cost something like 800k later this year, but there's no denying the performance! Capable of 0-60 in just under 3.0 s, runs to about 90 mph in full electric, top speed of around 200 mph, ran the 'Ring in a claimed 7:14, 580 hp when the batteries are drained, can completely recharge its batteries through regular driving, and can still get something like 78 mpg when driven normally

I'd love to live in a future where that sort of hybrid tech has trickled down into your every day sports car. Seriously, some just cryo me right now and wake me up when this has come to pass!

Also, I just noticed that you already acknowledged this car's existence but poopoo'd it off by citing the price/unproven tech. Just saying, you stated that hybrid systems aren't for going fast or having fun at all. I'd say this proves otherwise

[Turbowned]

What I meant was that so far, any attempt to put hybrid or diesel technology into an affordable sports car (i.e. CR-Z) have not gone well. Oh sure, I'll admit that I prefer a petrol-burning engine to a diesel or a battery-powered thing, but really my concern is that someone will come out with a brilliant car idea and it will get weighed down (literally and figuratively) with fledgling hybrid technology. My experience with diesels is limited to an Audi A3 TDI with a 6spd DSG gearbox, but it was not fun revving to just 5,000rpm.