Archive for category Mazda
The Story of Mazda Motor Corporation
Toyo Cork Kogyo Co, Ltd is a name not too many people would recognize today. Nevertheless, that is exactly who Mazda started out as. The company’s first products were not cars but tools up until they made decision 1n 1931 they wanted to compete in the auto manufacturing market. Today they are known for trendy little sports cars like the Mazda RX-7 and four door family sedans like the Mazda 626. Although Toyo Kogyo still continued to manufacture tools and cars, they also produced weapons for the Japanese military for World War Two.
There is some debate concerning the origin of the name Mazda for the company. It is believed by some to be an anglicized version of the founder’s name, Matsuda. Others feel that Matsuda himself chose the name Mazda as it is derived from Ahura Mazda, the name for a divinity exalted they whose follow the custom of Zoroastrianism. Zoroastrianism is believed by some in near eastern cultures to be the source of wisdom, intelligence and harmony.
Mazda wanted a way to set itself apart from its competition so it devoted itself to the development of different type of engine, apart from the standard piston driven engine that other manufacturers were using. The Wankel Rotary engine was developed in the 1960′s and Mazda began using it for the first time in the limited production Cosmo Sort that was introduced in 1967. The motor quickly became quite popular because it provides a lot of power in relation to its relatively lightweight. Mazda has continued to use the innovative Wankel rotary engine its trendy RX sports cars. It is still used in conjunction with its current sports car model, the RX-8.
Unfortunately, one of the drawbacks of the rotary engine is its rather inefficient fuel consumption. This proved to somewhat of a problem in Mazda’s first real entry into the United States market in the early seventies. With a global fuel crisis looming, the popularity of this engine began to waiver and Mazda experienced limited success in the North American markets because of it. Because Mazda had not completely abandoned production of the piston driven engine, they were able to concentrate more on these engines for their lineup of sedans until the economic crunch of that time period had passed. Read the rest of this entry »
Mazda RX8 Horsepower Controversy
Since its launch, the Mazda RX8 has been the subject of close scrutiny by enthusiasts. The high level of attention is not only due to the car’s admirable driving dynamics but, in part to the early reports of below-than-expected performance. To be more specific: wheel horsepower measured on several chassis dynamometer runs resulted in values well below the expected 17%~20% drivetrain parasitic losses. And quarter mile runs of anywhere between 0.5 and 1.5 seconds off of those produced by magazines on allegedly pre-production vehicles.
In connection with the RX8′s horsepower rating: the original marketing material from Mazda North America (MNAO) advertised the 6 speed manual transmission RX8 at 247hp @ 8,500rpm. Assuming parasitic drivetrain loses between 17%-20% -common for modern rear wheel drive vehicles, a stock RX8 should measure between 205~197 horsepower at the rear wheels (rwhp) -depending on elevation, barometric pressure, temperature and correction factors applied. Instead, a stock RX8 chassis dyno run shows results ranging anywhere from mid-high ~160 to ~185rwhp. Such readings would represent parasitic drivetrain loses in excess of 25%. To say that, it is unacceptable to experience such a high level of loss through the drivetrain of a “sports car” with a carbon fiber drive shaft -amongst other things- is an understatement.
To further consolidate doubts about the actual power output of the new Renesis, several owners were unable to reproduce mid-low 14 second quarter mile passes -as seen published by well known U.S. car magazines. Low trap speeds were another hint towards the apparent lack of power output. Read the rest of this entry »