Detroit Auto Show is one of the most-awaited auto shows happening this year and so Mazda Motor Corporation is putting in a lot of faith in this auto show to be one of the best avenues to showcase two of its sports cars. One of the Mazda sports cars to be introduced is its Furai concept vehicle which is already being rejoiced over for having a rotary engine capable of 450 horsepower even though it will run on ethanol fuel.

The Furai actually translates to the meaning “sound of the wind,” and so this means that this concept vehicle will continue the “flow” design concept of the Mazda Taiki Concept, the one featured in the Tokyo Motor Show last October of 2007. Only a few details of the Furai concept car have been released but one thins is sure – it will be powered by a three-rotor rotary engine that has been designed to rely on ethanol (E100) for its fuel source.

The Taiki concept vehicle will again make an appearance and this time it will be at the North American Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit together with Mazda’s Mazda5 Hydrogen RE Hybrid and the revamped well-loved Mazda sports car, the Mazda RX-8.

The Mazda Premacy, to which Mazda5 is known in other markets, is a crossover minivan that can seat five people. What’s interesting and appealing about it is that it can be switched from hydrogen to petrol power with just a press of a button. The RE hydrogen rotary engine makes use of the battery power from the stop position. Then, the hydrogen rotary engine will take over and generate electricity during normal cruising. And then the battery will take its charge from regenerative braking.

The second sports car to be launched in the Detroit Auto Show is the redesigned Mazda RX-8. This sports car enjoys the popularity and reputation of being the only sports car to be powered by a rotary engine and with the redesigned look, enhanced handling, and a lot of great extras, the Japanese automaker hopes to amaze its audience once again.