Future Mazda Millenia

[Mymellinie]

Well biggest reason I don't see one anytime soon is much of what was just said. The Mazda 6 is about to sprout into at least two more cars in the next 2 years. Mazda is also coming out with a new Protege in the next two years supposedly. The RX8 will be the flagship in my opinion for a while. Also Ford who owns Mazda is nt doing terribly well and is trying to release 3 new platforms of its own. The jag/lincoln statement is legit, but still don't see it happening.

Marcus

[///BHRpowered]

at this rate my next car within the next 3-4 years will probably end up being a new audi S4,bmw M3,bmw Z4, ol skool 911, or maybe even a 3.2tl type S

[latinopikachu]

yummy! imagine a M/C V12!!!!!!!! HAHA!

[Duncan]

First off, I have to agree with the poster who said that it's probably not a good idea for Ford/Mazda to add one more entry-luxury car to the product mix. Unless they sell off Volvo, which is a rumor that's beginning to make more and more sense lately. And if that happens, then maybe there's a shot for the company to revive Amati.

Anyway. If they did decide to bring back a luxury Mazda, I'd prefer that it be more along the lines of the old 929 than the Millenia (beautiful and brilliant as it was and is). By that, I mean that it really ought to be rear-drive with a lot of passenger room and a sleek style. To that package, add a Mazda-developed V8 -- or, better yet, a three-rotor powerhouse (anyone ever heard of the Cosmo 20B?).

The way it is now, I fear that Ford may be starting to spread Mazda's engineering around a little too much. For instance, the next Focus platform has a lot of Mazda influence, as does the company's upcoming line of four-cylinder engines. And the replacement for the going-nowhere Taurus will be the new Futura -- effectively a Ford-styled clone of the Mazda6, right down to the floorboards.

But there's no way in **** they could ever steal the rotary...could they?

Duncan

[extermin8r]

Oh yea Dunc you are right I was reading in automotive weekly a couple of months back and they said in order to cut costs Ford is considering producing something like 6 to 8 cars based off the Mazda 6 platform (because it is so good That's crazy...

[///BHRpowered]

its a good platform..but not for luxury cars. why would ford sell off volvo though, there a very trusted long standing name with good sales, plus it doesn't devolup there cars, volvo still does

[excluesiveonez]

c70 kiks ass

[wizbummer]

ford would hafta be insane to steal the rotary... everyone trusts mazda for that because they've been developing it for 30-some years, and they trust ford to make the strong V8's and such (no replacement for displacement mentality). The recent trend towards japanese-styled vehicles (focus, futura? anything based on the 6) is turning off alot of people who had their faith in ford. I'm wondering how this is affecting sales... but if ford shows up with a rotary of their own, most everyone who had ford as a "favored" company is gonna freak.

my $.02

[Duncan]

Originally posted by ///BHRpowered@Oct 1 2003, 10:37 AM
its a good platform..but not for luxury cars. why would ford sell off volvo though, there a very trusted long standing name with good sales, plus it doesn't devolup there cars, volvo still does

The replacement for the S40/V50 compacts will be based on Ford's new C1 platform -- coincidentally, the same one that's going underneath the new Mazda3 as we speak. And the S60/V70 will probably switch to (no surprise) the Mazda6 chassis when they're reworked a few years from now.

Rumors abound that Renault, who very nearly completed a merger with Volvo back in the early 1990s, is said to be expressing interest in the Swedish firm again now that Ford needs some cash. And with Jaguar beginning to creep into Volvo's traditional markets, the situation sounds kinda believable.

(You will also recall that Renault is already partnered up with Nissan -- anyone else think the three companies might make a good fit?)

Duncan

[Duncan]

Originally posted by wizbummer@Oct 1 2003, 11:10 AM
ford would hafta be insane to steal the rotary... everyone trusts mazda for that because they've been developing it for 30-some years, and they trust ford to make the strong V8's and such (no replacement for displacement mentality).

Which is why I think a tri-rotor monster might be great in a new Mazda luxury sedan, whatever it might be -- and if it arrives at all. Everyone already has a V8, so why not something different (and, as a bonus, lightweight and **** fast)?

Duncan