Japan's Zoom-Zoom carmaker is excited to present a new performance concept model to the press and the public at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), alongside the new RX-8.The Furai concept taps into Mazda's extensive following of buyers who track-race their cars. According to Mazda, more of their products are road-raced in the U.S. on weekends than any other brand. Accordingly, the concept model is designed after an ALMS race car- but with an eye for green operation as it runs on ethanol fuel produced by British Petroleum (BP). The Furai rides Mazda's Courage C65 chassis, which was introduced just two seasons ago. Power comes from a triple-rotor rotary engine with 450 horsepower.Mazda Furai, an eco-friendly, super performance concept car.Franz von Holzhausen heads up design work for Mazda's North American operations. Of the concept, he says "Furai purposely blurs boundaries that have traditionally distinguished street cars from track cars. Historically, there has been a gap between single-purpose racecars and street-legal models- commonly called supercars- that emulate the real racers on the road. Furai bridges that gap like no car has ever done before."Mazda's sleek and flowing "Nagare" design-language is at work here, and a teaser shot shows some sensuous curves applied to the body of this could-be eco-friendly super car.Mazda's new RX-8 is also set for a world debut at the show, alongside a technical exhibit of its new-age Renesis rotary engine. The new RX-8 and its powerplant join the rest of Mazda's lineup which will be available for viewing at the show.
