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X3 concept based on Mazda RX-7

 
9 15,967 views Mar 10, 2008

r12 x3 01

X3 concept based on Mazda RX-7

X3 concept based on Mazda RX-7

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Reuben Zammit has created a number of stunning designs over the past 12 months but unlike most designers he has been fortunate enough to have some of his designs approved for production. His Bugatti Type 12-2 Streamliner concept, which we saw earlier today, is pure fantasy but his new X3 sports coupe concept is built around an old Mazda RX-7 FD chassis and could actually be produced today with a minimum of fuss.

The proposed engine for the concept is a three-rotor turbocharged rotary engine developing more than 700hp. The target of the project was to create a chassis that’s more rigid than the stock version but keeps the car’s total mass under 1,200kg. Some of the innovations include a new carbon-fiber roof, gullwing doors (these actually stiffen the chassis since they act as a roll cage), a tilted windscreen and new heat outlets positioned in the doors.

To keep costs down, Zammit’s design leaves a number of features from the standard RX-7 unchanged. Parts that were left untouched include the windshield shape, wheelbase, vehicle track and running gear. Check out the gallery below to see a comparison between the new X3 concept and the original RX-7 sports coupe.
X3 concept based on Mazda RX-7

HI-RES GALLERY: r12 x3 01




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Comments (9)

  1. By ohmy Posted: 3/10/2008 2:28pm PDT

    reminds me of the furai concept, not so much in looks but rotary powered super car
     
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  2. By Ed Posted: 3/10/2008 7:41pm PDT

    "produced with a minimum of fuss"...? You obviously know nothing of vehicle body engineering. The roofline is clearly altered as is the side glass. This reqires completely redisigned door inners and all the shutfaces and seals of the OE door must be completely re-done. Are you going to have a clay model made by hand or gantry mill to pull molds off? Do you understang the staggering costs associated with a full size clay and making molds? Or do you suggest bondo and foam (ugh). It also appears there are bespoke head and tailight assemblies. Do you think there is a minimum fuss to make these also in small run quantity? The 3/4 view shows a air opening (for what?) that would be impossible in the GD unibody. i could go on and on. You should just post news and stop making uneducated and foolish statements. This is nothing more that some nice renderings.
     
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  3. By Dasupersprint Posted: 3/11/2008 8:23am PDT

    When it's a drawing you can say anything you want; Ooh, this would be the fastest car of the universe and do a 5min lap on the Nurburgring!! Yeah, right.
     
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  4. By Jeff Posted: 3/11/2008 10:26am PDT

    I think its funny that they mention all the bonusses of using the FD3S chasis, then add: Ohh ya we are putting a 700 hp 3 rotor engine in it! haha an engine of that magnitude would boost the production cost so much that it wouldnt even matter if the car was using components from an older model! Not to mention that no production rotary engine in history has been really "relaible" over 350hp. Granted they have gotten better, but 700hp is out in left feild as far as a real approach to the production of a car like this.

    a naturally asperated 3 rotor rensis motor on the other hand would be a great fit for a "super car" like this. Could get 330hp, and keep a low production cost.
     
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  5. By friend Posted: 3/12/2008 2:42pm PDT

    The X3 you see here was nevr intended to be a production car, it is being built as a one off car just like they did with the RCX ( check their website ). The same guy who designs builds the cars himself togather with the team ( I am part of ).

    To be honest these pictures were never intended to be so much talked about, it is a project which started almost 4 years ago for a soccer player who had a 3 rotor fitted to an RX7 which he wanted to modify. The chassis was strenghtened and incorporates a spaceframe chassis to support the gullwing doors and act as a roll cage since the roof was cut off.

    When 'minimum fuss' is mentioned it is only reffered to the fact that it can be built step by step without needing to spend money on a 'new' windscreen and glass. The design was made to use the original windscreen and remove the back glass. Lights we already did before, and the bodywork is in the final stages :) It is an expensive process (around 100,000 dollars ) but it is a one off car. If in the future we think of production, a spaceframe chassis would be used, and an RX7 would be a donor car, this would cut the cost down.
     
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  6. By Jay Posted: 4/1/2008 10:56am PDT

    WOW! There are quite a few negative people out there in the world. Regardless of what they say, I think the car is sweet ! The design looks great, not too far out there and certainly a design that is guaranteed to attrack a lot of attention. With todays modern tuning equipment, 700 horsepower in a 3 rotor can be very reliable. I have been driving the same FD for 10 years, my 2 rotor engine has a reliable 450 horsepower and I drive it to the track, race it in 100 degree weather and then drive it home. With the technology available to you I'm sure your project will be more than successful. Just one more thing, I have a donor FD rolling chasis and engine waiting for you to build your second X3. I just gotta have one. :-)
     
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  7. By chris Banner Posted: 6/29/2008 4:52pm PDT

    this car is beautiful... this just has to make it to the assembly line as the 'new' Mazda RX-7!!!
     
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  8. By Nardo Posted: 3/17/2011 5:46am PDT

    Good intention! However, I think the original FD is still one of the most beatiful sports cars of all time. Why change it? Honestly I don´t really think the X3 looks as good as the FD. But the idea to start manufacture of a modernized FD again with a tweaked 3 rotor 20B which should be able to effortlessly produce over 400 hp should be something to think about...
     
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  9. fb_1546310301 avatar Ray Bell Posted: 11/8/2011 8:28pm PST

    I don't care what people are saying about this concept. I just know that if this actually were the new Rx7 in development I would pre-order 3!
     
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