((NOTE, WE POSTED THIS STORY IN June 2004... THERE IS NO TURBO ON THE RX-8 FROM THE FACTORY. TO SEE WHAT WAS AT THE TOKYO AUTOSHOW SEE THIS STORY))

Car and Driver Magazine is reporting Mazda will unveil the Electric-motor-assisted turbocharger at the October 2005 Tokyo Auto Show. We give this rumor a good, about 70%, chance of being true.

This concept is the one that was first used on the Hydrogen RX-8 concept at the 2003 Tokyo Autoshow. The electric-motor-assist turbocharger is used to maximize the effectiveness of forced induction throughout the RPM range. At low engine speeds, beginning at approximately 1000 rpm, an electric motor operates to assist the turbocharger and increase induction efficiency. At high rpm, the turbocharger is driven in a traditional fashion, by the flow of exhaust gas alone.

We will have to wait to see what surprises Mazda has for us at the 2005 Tokyo Autoshow. Note that there is no Tokyo autoshow in 2004, as Tokyo plays host to a large commercial vehicle show. Expect to see more rumors circulate around the web for the next sixteen months. We will try to report on the best ones.