Mazda shows the Furai P2 race car concept at the Detroit Auto Show 2008.

The Furai P2 concept is the latest Mazda Nagare concept car, celebrating 40 years of rotary engine and international motorsports heritage.

Mazda Furai was initially tuned to operate on 100% ethanol fuel, the first time a racing three-rotor rotary engine has been fueled by ethanol. Research continues in earnest with partner BP into other renewable and future fuels, including ethanol gasoline blends like E10.

Mazda neither intends to race Furai, nor is it a supercar the company plans to build and sell in the near future. Rather, Furai is a design study that lives between those extremes. Via this Mazda press-release.


The MAZDA5 HRE Hybrid also features Mazda Biotechmaterial derived from plants, which contribute to further reductions in CO2 emissions. These materials exhibit excellent resistance to heat, shock and wear, as well as weather and fire damage. They also offer outstanding versatility and can be employed for interior plastic parts, seat covers and in a variety of other areas.

In addition, a new concept hybrid system to match the new hydrogen rotary engine has been developed. The conventional hydrogen rotary engine has problems of low torque and poor combustion efficiency in the low rev range. The new system overcomes both of these problems and, combined with increased hydrogen capacity, extends the hydrogen-fueled range to about 200km or twice that of the RX-8 Hydrogen RE. The vehicle is also equipped with the highly acclaimed dual-fuel system of the RX-8 Hydrogen RE, further enhancing its practical use.

The hybrid system efficiently converts energy from hydrogen combustion into electricity that powers the electric motor. Thanks to progress in electric drive technology, the system realizes high energy-efficiency and a quick response for powerful driving performance allied with low fuel consumption. Acceleration kicks in the instant you hit the accelerator, creating a dynamic feeling from the synchronized engine and motor power.
Via this Mazda press-release.

The Detroit Auto Show 2008 (NAIAS 2008) is taking place this week. See the hottest car announcements in our Car and Vehicle section.