Mazda RX-01

The Mazda RX-01 was a concept car that debuted at the 1995 Tokyo Motor Show. Created partly in response to the state of the economy and the shrinking high-end sports car market, it took a back-to-basics approach, aiming for a compact, simple and inexpensive sports car much like the first generation RX-7. It had a floating bumper and spoiler made possible by its compact rotary engine and a 2+2 seating arrangement. It carried the first public appearance of the 13B-MSP, a naturally aspirated Wankel engine of 1308 cc that made 220 horsepower and moved the exhaust ports into the side housing, a design that later developed into the Renesis engine of the RX-8. Enthusiasts hoped for a production version, but the concept stayed a concept.