In Mazda’s defense they’re quite a small company compared to the likes of Toyota and Nissan who can afford to throw billions in to research and development for sports cars and halo models. Nowadays they’re making a car called the Grace. But it does sadden me to think there was a time where companies such as Honda were known for their ingenuity and innovation. Okay, that’s a bit of generalisation as there are exceptions, such as Toyota and Honda’s fuel cell advancements and Nissan’s EV development. If the sales figures or the return on investments aren’t projecting in the billions then there’s no point doing it. Risks just aren’t being made like they used to. There’s no interest or competition for pushing innovation. They’re still doing the same old things they’ve been doing since the 90s. It’s this mentality that’s plaguing Japanese manufacturers today. But that doesn’t mean they should give up on the project. Rotary engines aren’t just there yet in terms of technology, efficiency, and reliability. I understand Mazda’s reasoning, people on the internet shouting ‘make it Mazda’ won’t necessarily translate to it being a sales hit. A car that would become an icon in the future. The RX-9 or whatever it would’ve been called might’ve just been their FD RX-7 moment again. I can’t begin to describe how much I was looking forward to that car and my disappointment at Mazda for pulling the plug on it. What could’ve been a game changer for Mazda and a much needed halo model, has now become nothing more than a ‘what-if’ scenario. Mazda just announced they weren’t going through with the RX-9/RX Vision Concept project. Available with with a 3.5-litre V6 hybrid or a 5.0-litre naturally-aspirated V8, Lexus has all bases covered for customers either wanting an old-school GT or a high-tech modern luxury hybrid.īut other Japanese manufactures need to follow Lexus’ suit. That is a properly stunning looking thing that’s nothing like any other car on the market. Now we’ve got their latest creation the LC. What used to be known as golfers’ cars are becoming seen as proper rivals to the Europeans. It’s changed the way people perceive the brand. Just look what the LFA has done for Lexus. Want to attract people into your showrooms, make a sports car. You want more people to be interested in your brand, make a sports car. They provide a ‘halo’ effect in the lineup and make brands more appealing. Sports cars aren’t big volume sellers and they don’t do wonders for profit, but they’re important in other areas. They’ve got a few new small cars out, which is what they do best, but they seem like they’re intentionally trying to be under the radar with their new car launches. Also, I have no idea what Suzuki are up to these days. Okay, there’s the Suzuki Swift Sport but that car is getting quite dated now. I can’t recall the last time we had a small hot hatch from Japan. I’m sure it won’t be the last word in horsepower and performance, but the fact that Toyota are doing this should be celebrated. Finally, Toyota are back at making small, affordable (hopefully), fun cars. When I heard the news that Toyota were planning on making a hot version of the Yaris based on their WRC car, I produced a noise I can only describe as being ‘enthusiastic’. Okay, Honda also do the NSX and there’s the Nissan GT-R but those cars so expensive they’re about as relevant as the Spanish Armada. There’s the Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ, Nissan 370Z, Subaru WRX, Honda Civic Type R, and Mazda MX-5. Look at the current crop of Japanese sports cars and you could count them with one hand. The only way to buy a Lamborghini when you’re young usually involves dealing with Bolivian, erm, businessmen. You could save up and buy a Silvia or Integra if you really put your mind to it. Sure, everyone wants a Ferrari, Porsche, or Lamborghini but what these Japanese sports cars offered was something the Europeans couldn’t attainability. Stuff like the Mitsubishi Evo and 3000GT, Nissan Z and Skylines, Mazda RX-7, Honda S2000, NSX, various Type R models, and about half a dozen Toyota sports cars were the stuff of bedroom posters. It’s crazy to think now, in 2016, that something with a Honda or Mitsubishi badge could be something a small boy or girl would aspire to have. I’m more from the S2000/350Z/RX-8 generation but even then, I do remember a time when Japanese cars were still exciting and appealing to young people. I’m not old enough to remember the glory days of affordable Japanese sports cars flocking the market, that was 80s/90s stuff. Frustration of Japanese manufacturers (some, not all) for ignoring fun and exciting affordable sports cars, news of new cars that are coming and ones that won’t be, and reminiscing an old Honda advert. There are several reasons for prompting this article.
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