Mazda’s latest series of concept cars will come to a climax at the Detroit motor show with a show car called Furai, a design study based on the firm’s American Le Mans Series endurance racer chassis, and intended to blur the usual design boundaries between road cars and track cars.Mazda released a teaser image of the car last month, and has today released four official images ( see gallery). With its low slung stance the Furai looks every bit the 24hr racing car. Mazda’s trademark ‘Nagare’ body strakes are in evidence too, which hint at the way air flows over the car; expect these to become a key characteristic of future road-going Mazdas.The Furai has a 450bhp, three-rotor Renesis rotary engine that runs on pure, E100 ethanol. Underneath it is the Courage C65 chassis the firm campaigned in the ALMS two seasons ago.Also to be shown at Detroit next month is Mazda’s facelifted RX-8. According to Mazda, it’s getting a freshened design, improved handling and acceleration, a better quality cabin and several new features.
Add your comment