Concept of the Week

Mazda's Furai concept is another speedy car from the maker. Will this one make it into production?

Race-Bred and Road-Ready

By Stuart Schwartzapfel

At the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit (Jan. 13-27), Mazda will debut a race-inspired concept car that further explores the company's Nagare design language. Mazda says the radically styled concept is inspired by the fact that, on any given weekend, there are more Mazdas or Mazda-powered cars road-raced in the U.S. than any other car marque.

Furai is Japanese for flow, and Mazda's Nagare design language is characterized by the flow of water, air, people, and things. This is the fifth design in the series, preceded by the Nagare, Ryuga, Hakaze, and Taiki concepts. Aiming to blend boundaries that have traditionally distinguished street cars from track cars, Furai is based on an American Le Mans Series (ALMS) racing car and utilizes the Courage C65 chassis from the 2005 ALMS series. A midmounted 450-hp, three-rotor rotary engine is fueled by BP ethanol. Unlike many concepts, Furai is a runner Mazda has already flung around Laguna Seca Raceway for many a hot lap.

The Verdict: Although we have yet to see Mazda's flowing design direction applied to a production vehicle, Furai represents real progress. And with the homage being paid to a car that won at the 1991 24 Hours of Le Mans, it might be safe to assume more racing is in its future.

Schwartzapfel, a certified car freak, has studied the automotive marketplace and worked as an advertising/marketing strategist for major manufacturers. He does not write about any car brands for which he currently works.

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