7Tune: Mazda Rear Wheel Drive “Mini Roadster”!

Apparently Mazda has been keeping this little RWD open sports car concept quiet due to the current economic climate in Japan, but as soon as things start to get back on track we should finally see this spiritual successor to Suzuki’s Cappuccino break cover.

Unlike most rumors we’ve heard recently, this one short but contains all good news. Mazda is apparently looking at a rear wheel drive open sports car to slot in under the current NCEC Roadster (MX-5/Miata) and hopes to emulate the success of the EA11R Suzuki Cappuccino by offering excellent handling and performance in a segment which is usually occupied by front wheel drive cars. The engine could either be a 1.0 or 1.3L unit making the mini Roadster one size up from Japan’s “kei car” category (capacity under 660cc) and could carve a new niche of sub-2.0L rear wheel drive cars in Japan. There are no hints as to when the mini Roadster will break cover or how much it’ll cost but from our point of view, this is very good news in that Mazda seems to be following Toyota/Subaru down the light compact rear wheel drive route.

Source;
http://www.7tune.com/mazda-rear-wheel-drive-mini-roadster/