FSportDRM

iTrader: (2)

Im almost 100% sure Mazda did not come seeking help from Toyota...... Mazda is already helping Toyota out with their new 4 door Scion. A rebranded Mazda2, except Toyota killed the exterior design.

chikoo

A riced up street car on the streets of LA is probably faster than any of the Porsche, Ferrari or MB on there. But that doesn't make them win any of the races. Or do they?

gengar

But that wasn't the assertion that was being questioned. You quoted the post yourself - the issue is what exactly Mazda would bring to the table with regards to supercar handling. Your response was that the 787B won a LeMans one year, but the fact is that the 787B was not even close to being the highest performance car in that race; it only won because of reliability.

Reliability is key in endurance racing; no one is disputing that. But reliability wasn't what was being discussed. And surely, it should not be - after all, do you really think Mazda could help Lexus make a more reliable supercar? Does Lexus really need help with that given the LFA is regarded to be among the most reliable supercars - if not the most - ever made?

I'm going to assume you just brought up the 787B in a discussion about handling and tuning without understanding that it only won because of reliability (not to mention the other issues of trying to make it relevant to our discussion, such as an LMP1 car not being a good indicator of handling feedback regardless of how quick it is). Either way, the 787B doesn't at all rebut the assertion that I and others have made that Mazda doesn't have the pedigree in supercar handling and tuning to make a joint venture worthwhile.

1. Let me know in which racing series "riced up street cars" can race against FIA GT3/4 or ACO GTE Porsche, Ferrari, or MB vehicles; and
2. the issue being discussed was not winning races or being "faster" anyway, but what handling/tuning expertise Lexus would gain from a joint venture.

No idea why the responses to my post have all been complete non sequiturs - guess that says a lot about the debate in question.

chikoo

http://youtu.be/NQMeZ3Vcr44

JetsonES

I would love to see someone shoehorn an LF-A engine into an FD RX-7, that would be the best engine swap ever. The looks of the FD with that sound coming out would be awesome.

roadbike56

Like others, I don't think Lexus needs to team with Mazda, or anyone else in my opinion.
As for is the supercar market ripe for being knocked off? YES, YES, YES, its never been better.
Consider both Corvette and Porsche, the two big players in the US are plagued with serious reliability problems. Due to VW's mess, Porsche is in no position to respond to a new entry. With Corvette engines doing their hand grenade imitation, GM keeps hoping no one will notice. Mercedes and Jaguar have never been taken seriously in the US despite their performance. With Lexus's stellar reputation for reliability, I'm amazed they haven't decided to invade this section with a price structure similar to GM, a $60-70K entry level model and a $110K supercar.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

article is pure 'what if' not based on even rumors.

toyota has relationships with yamaha and bmw to name two performance powerhouses. yeah it took the mazda 2 for a scion (dumb move imo) but i don't see ANYTHING toyota can learn or gain from a joint performance car venture with mazda.