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.

The Mazda RX-8 is already in its fifth year of production and it still hasn’t lost most of its touch that brought it to the 10 Best Selection three times. Its chassis remains the same as it responses instantly to the desired actions of the driver. The RX-8 now may be 100 pounds heavier than the TT at 3060 pounds, however, this weight is better balanced from the front to rear. Its secret device, that brought Mazda incredible recognition for such innovation, the rotary engine, is located low and behind the front axle. This way, the RX-8 changes directions more quickly proven by its change-lane speed which is 4mph faster than the second-place Audi.

The 2007 version of this Mazda model is still being praised for being easy to drive fast as those who’ve driven it for a test drive all commended it for having responsive steering and low cowl height. The RX-8 still has great speed and it features a six-speed gearbox. Another great recognition it received is its being the only car that offers comfort to the rear seats.

The suspension of the RX-8 takes hits from the road like a “champion prizefighter,” according to one review. Because of that, it proved itself indeed the fastest car on real-world roads. All these goodies that are still packed in the renowned Mazda RX-8 still make it one of the finest vehicles of all times.

Mazda has just recently celebrated their rotary engine’s 40^th anniversary and they will celebrate this conquered milestone by constructing 200 RX-8 Rotary Engine 40^th anniversary edition cars that would be sold in Japan.

These new models will be featuring leather and Alcantra interior and have special badgings as well. It will also have a retro-style contrast-stitched leather trim, which is intended to remind car enthusiasts of the classic Cosmo Sport.

The power output will basically be the same, standard RX-8 Type S (6MT) and Type E (6AT).

Mazda Motor Corporation has provided Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) with one dual-fuel RX-8 hydrogen-petrol rotary engine.

This dual-fuel system allows car owners to choose between using either gasoline or hydrogen fuel, and that is with just a flick of a switch. METI will be using this RX-8 Hydrogen RE in their daily operations. This Mazda RX-8 rotary engine that has been delivered to METI marks the eight hydrogen rotary engine vehicle that has been rented out to government bodies and private enterprises and it is the first time that the central government of Japan will use such an innovative vehicle for their daily operations.

BMW’s Hydrogen 7 is the only other vehicle besides Mazda that has an internal combustion engine that could burn both gasoline and hydrogen. This is similarly used in small numbers as a technology demonstrator.

Mazda RX7 boasts to be the only one using a rotary type engine. And for that matter, owners of this reputable race car from Mazda could boast of them as well. RX7 is equipped with a twin rotor Wankel rotary engine, which was invented by German Felix Wankel. This revolutionary engine is said to be only equipped in helicopters. But thanks to the geniuses of Mazda, RX7 now holds in its body the power that a rotary engine has.

A truly-remarkable Mazda racer could be measured on how well he handles this unique engine as it is somewhat difficult to control. An advantage is that it is a much lighter engine compared to the regular piston designed engine. It doesn’t have connecting rods, conventional crankshaft, crankshaft balance weights and other things found in a regular engine.

And this, could only be found in Mazda RX series. Now you know, The Only One.