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Global Concepts (Part 2)
Mazda RX-Evolv
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The RX-Evolv concept car is both a sports car and a four-seat passenger car, the unique combination made possible by Mazda's latest naturally aspirated rotary engine called RENESIS. A side intake and exhaust arrangement stabilizes combustion and enables port area enlargement, allowing high rpm, reduced emissions, and improved fuel economy. The new engine is based on the original 13B twin-rotor design and attains 280 hp (209 kW) output at 9000 rpm and produces 226 Nom (167 lboft) at 8000 rpm. It is mated to a manual six-speed transmission that features clutchless shift by a pair of steering wheel controls. The power unit is mounted well aft of the front wheel axis for ideal weight distribution while allowing room for four people. The doors open centrally in the pillarless body; each door has a built-in pillar that locks into upper and lower body rails. The body shell is reinforced by hydroformed members around its periphery, and the pillars are hardening-foam-filled to improve rigidity. Another interesting dynamic feature of the car is the active control brake (ACB) system. The driver can control brake force at each wheel by pad switches on the steering wheel spokes. This allows varying of the yaw moment of the inner tires during cornering. Proper use of ACB relies upon driver skill level; its use is regulated by a smart card that is used to start the engine. The card can also limit the engine's output to 179 kW (240 hp) at 7000 rpm.
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