Mazda chose the Detroit Auto Show to officially unveil the revised 2009 RX-8.
For the 2009 model year the revised RX-8 gets a facelift inside and out. Starting with the exterior the RX-8 gets restyled front and rear bumpers and a new front fascia. Larger exhaust pipes have also been added.
Inside the 2009 RX-8 receives new front and rear seats, a revised center IP and a new steering wheel.
In addition to the styling changes, Mazda is also offering a new sport package for the 2009 RX-8 called the R3 sport package. The package adds a sport-tuned suspension with Bilstein shock absorbers and front suspension crossmembers filled with urethane foam. On the outside the R3 package adds a rear spoiler, side sills, fog lights, 19-inch wheels and sporty front bumper. Inside the package adds a 300 watt audio system, Bluetooth and Recaro front seats.
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PRESS RELEASE:
2009 MAZDA RX-8: FURTHER EVOLUTION FOR THE ROTARY REVOLUTION
Launched in 2003, the Mazda RX-8 hit the global market with a serious bang. The RX-8 has won more than 50 global awards since its release including 2003 RJC Car of the Year in Japan Australia's HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheels" \o "Wheels" Wheels magazine's Car of the Year for 2003, 2003 International Engine of the Year, 2004 Singapore Car of the Year, the 2004 U.S. Best Sports Car and UK Car of the Year 2004. It was also named on HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Car_and_Driver" \o "Car and Driver" Car and Driver magazine's HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Car_and_Driver_Ten_Best" \o "Car and Driver Ten Best" Ten Best list for 2004, 2005, and 2006. All together, Mazda has sold nearly 167,000 RX-8s around the world.
For 2009, Mazda will further the evolution of the four-door, four-seater sports coupe, giving RX-8 a refreshed exterior and interior design, enhanced performance and a new R3 sport package for the ultimate driving enthusiast.
Unchanged is the core of the RX-8 – a high-powered, lightweight and perfectly balanced machine powered by the world-renowned twin-rotor RENESIS rotary engine.
“Dating back to the Cosmo Sport released in 1967, every sports car ever developed by Mazda has had the same fundamental mission – to provide car lovers with a vehicle that’s fun-to-drive, exciting to look at and easy to own,” said Tetsu Nakazawa, Mazda North American Operations’ RX-8 vehicle line manager. “The 2009 RX-8 embodies that mission, conveying the unique and distinctive Mazda brand DNA to the fullest.”
To enhance the highly successful RX-8, Mazda engineers focused on innovation in three key areas for the 2009 RX-8: styling, performance and packaging. “The enhancements made to RX-8’s exterior, interior, packaging and performance takes it to a whole new level of visual and driving excitement,” remarked Nakazawa.
STYLING INNOVATION – REFRESHED DESIGN CUES PROVIDE “HIGH-QUALITY” DYNAMISM
RX-8 was designed with an athletically sculpted exterior that provides a sense of originality that’s unrivaled in the marketplace today. For 2009, RX-8 receives design enhancements that are meant to freshen the styling and give RX-8 a new look, without impairing the basic design theme. Refinements for the 2009 model year include restyled front and rear bumpers and front fascia; sporty, high quality finish front and rear headlamps; and larger exhaust pipes (now measuring 90 mm across). The 2009 RX-8 also offers a new five-spoke wheel design featuring a symbolic and sporty design reminiscent of the rotary engine, with different arrangements for each wheel size.
Taut muscular lines give RX-8 the liberating look of an athlete in motion. The muscular styling maintains classic sports car proportions while adding a Zoom-Zoom edge that is unmistakably Mazda.
The RX-8’s unique “freestyle” four-door design is proof that a true sports car does not need to sacrifice space or convenience for performance. The advanced design of the rear-hinged rear doors, provides a large door opening, allowing adult-sized passengers to easily enter and exit the vehicle. This design is also advantageous when securing a baby or a small child in the back seat. With a spacious rear seat area providing ample passenger room for four full-size adults, and enough trunk space for a weekend’s worth of luggage, this sports car proves its versatility.
The RX-8’s exterior styling presents a genuine sports car form, while the interior boasts a comfortable and intelligently designed cabin. Minor enhancements were made for the 2009 RX-8 to provide a simple and functional interior design that supports driving pleasure. The center IP shape was redesigned to give a feeling of dynamic movement, a variable red-zone was added to the tachometer that will rise as the engine comes to operating temperature and a new steering wheel and redesigned front and rear seats are also added.
An extremely low cabin floor allows the seats to be mounted low in the chassis, which, along with a low instrument cluster and hood, allows a low center of gravity and allows outstanding occupant visibility. Mazda designers concentrated on the shape of the front seat backs and the rear seat cushions to ensure adequate rear-seat knee room. Front seat slide-rails are positioned to allow maximum leg room for rear-seat passengers.
The rotary design element is incorporated through the interior of the RX-8 in creative ways, appearing in the seats. The stylish cabin also evokes a sense of luxury and high-end quality. Mazda’s design team examined every aspect and component of the interior and has created an elegant, driver-centric atmosphere. Through the use of advanced ergonomic research, Mazda engineers determined that improper seating posture is a major cause of driver fatigue and built in optimum support in the front seats to help offset discomfort. In addition, the color of the RX-8’s instrument cluster was developed to reduce eye fatigue and strain.
PERFORMANCE INNOVATION – MORE SPORTS CAR DRIVING PLEASURE
Through-and-through, the RX-8 is a pure sports car that gives the driver an exciting and dynamic experience. For 2009, engineers improved RX-8 body rigidity through the addition of structural reinforcements, by adding a trapezoidal strut tower bar and enhancing the local rigidity of the front suspension tower areas. Also, the rear suspension geometry has been reconfigured for better handling performance and driveshaft rigidity is improved, lowering NVH levels and improving performance.
In addition, the differential gear ratio on manual transmission-equipped cars is lowered from 4.444 to 4.777 for improved off-the-line performance. While minimal, these performance changes give RX-8 increased acceleration and performance, as well as even greater responsiveness to the accelerator pedal – always a rotary-engine and
RX-8 hallmark.
To achieve this sophisticated dynamic, Mazda utilizes the advanced RENESIS (Rotary Engine genesis – or rebirth of the rotary engine) engine. The Mazda RX-8 remains the only mass-produced rotary-powered passenger car in the world. While exhibiting unusually high power output for a naturally aspirated engine, RENESIS outstrips comparable reciprocating engines in terms of acceleration, the feeling of power in reserve and quick response.
The 2009 Mazda RX-8 is available as either a 232-horsepower model fitted with a six-speed manual transmission, or a 212-horsepower model fitted with a six-speed Sport A/T automatic with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters for a Formula 1-style driving experience.
By turning a triangular rotor in a cocoon-shaped combustion chamber, the
RX-8’s rotary engine efficiently performs the four processes of intake, compression, combustion and exhaust. The RENESIS engine is remarkably smooth and high revving — all the way to 9,000 rpm (7,500 rpm on Sport A/T–equipped models) — and offers a smaller engine footprint than traditional internal combustion engines (some 60 percent smaller and lighter than a comparably powered V-6, and 40 percent smaller and lighter than a four-cylinder). In fact, the packaging and styling that define the RX-8 would not have been possible had Mazda engineers chosen a conventional piston engine.
Improving upon 40 years of rotary designs, the RENESIS engine features side intake and exhaust ports with nearly 30 percent more intake port and twice as much exhaust port than its predecessors. The efficiencies gained through shortening intake/exhaust overlapping period and using the larger intake and exhaust ports in delivering world-class performance.
The RX-8’s normally aspirated 1.3-liter engine might appear diminutive to the untrained eye when compared to large-displacement V-8s or heavyweight V-10s or V-12s. However, through the incredible efficiencies of a rotary powerplant, an advanced three-stage intake system and an electronic throttle, the RENESIS engine delivers smooth, linear power on a grand scale.
The RX-8 uses an aluminum double-wishbone front suspension, reducing unsprung weight over the use of steel components. By mounting the upper and lower arms on a highly rigid sub-frame, the long arms ensure linear alignment changes throughout the jounce and rebound of the front wheels. All corners are fitted with mono-tube gas-filled shock absorbers designed with large-diameter internal pistons and valving, which offer excellent road feedback and a smooth ride.
An electric rack-and-pinion power-steering system transmits just the right amount of road information back to the driver. Mazda engineers have chosen to pursue their own path by using an electric motor for steering assistance rather than a conventional power-steering pump. The electric motor provides additional assistance at low speeds to ease parking and reduces steering assistance at higher speeds to provide greater road feel, responsiveness and feedback. And, in keeping with the rest of the development on RX-8, it is far lighter and easier to package than a conventional power-steering rack.
PACKAGING INNOVATIONS – ULTIMATE PERFORMANCE RX-8 R3
To cater to the driving-conscious enthusiast, the 2009 RX-8 will offer a new R3 sport package. Providing the very best in rotary-powered motoring, the R3 harkens back to the R1 and R2 packages offered on the mighty third-generation RX-7, and adds a sport-tuned suspension with Bilstein shock absorbers and front suspension crossmembers filled with urethane foam. Filling the crossmembers makes for a smoother ride, minimized NVH and greater suspension control.
On the visual side of the package, a rear spoiler, side sills, fog lights and sporty front bumper are added to give an aggressive appearance, along with 19-inch forged aluminum-alloy wheels with high performance tires. Inside, the R3 adds a 300-watt Bose® audio system with Centerpoint® surround sound and AudioPilot® noise compensation technology, Bluetooth hands-free phone system, front Recaro sport seats with leather side bolsters, leather-wrapped parking brake handle and Mazda advanced keyless entry and start system.
Three other trim levels are also offered including: a Sport trim, a Touring trim (adds HID headlights, fog lamps, auto dimming mirror with Homelink® and 6-disc auto changer on top of the Sport trim features and DSC; add 18-inch wheels, a limited-slip differential, sport-tuned suspension and larger front disc brakes to these items for A/T cars, and Bose® audio system, moonroof, SIRIUS satellite radio are offered as the package option), and a Grand Touring trim (on top of the Touring trim features, adds automatic air conditioner, Bluetooth hands-free phone system, Bose® audio system auto headlight, rain sensing wiper, power-adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support and memory function, leather seating surfaces — heated front seats— and heated outside mirrors and Mazda Advanced Keyless Entry & Start system. A DVD-driven satellite-navigation unit is available as a stand-alone option and uses a single DVD for mapping the entire United States and portions of Canada. Additionally, a moon roof and SIRIUS satellite radio are offered as an package option.)
All Mazdas come with a roadside assistance program. With a call to a toll-free number, owners can access roadside assistance 24 hours a day, 365 days a year throughout the United States and Canada. In addition, a comprehensive three-year/36,000-mile warranty covers every part on the vehicle except those subject to normal wear. Also, all models receive a five-year/60,000 mile powertrain warranty and a five-year/unlimited-mileage corrosion warranty.
SUPERIOR SAFETY
When designing the RX-8, safety was given as much of a priority as was performance. For Mazda, the safety process incorporates both accident avoidance and accident protection. In effect, this approach to safety means the RX-8 can help the driver avoid various dangers and protect occupants in the unfortunate event of a collision. In rollover tests performed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the RX-8 achieved an impressive five-star rating.
Mazda engineers integrated numerous active and passive safety elements throughout the car. Active safety features, which require input from the driver, include the use of large ABS-equipped disc brakes on all wheels as well as precise steering and suspension systems. Dynamic Stability Control (available on Sport models with Performance package, standard on Touring and Grand Touring) delivers a superior level of handling that can be disabled when driving and road conditions allow safe operation.
Passive systems, or those that take effect automatically without the driver’s involvement, also are present throughout the RX-8. Despite the absence of a center B-pillar, the RX-8 has an exceptionally rigid body, accomplished through the use of the vertical pillars built in the rear doors and a series of locking pins, which hold the doors together and bind each door directly into the roof and floor. Integrating the frame components helps dissipate crash energy through the vehicle’s structure.
Other standard passive systems on the RX-8 include front airbags, seat-mounted side-impact airbags and side-curtain airbags. Additionally, the front end and engine bay have ample crumple zones, the front seats are designed to reduce whiplash injuries, the brake pedal is designed to break away in the event of a collision of sufficient force to protect feet and legs and all four seating positions are fitted with three-point seatbelts. Even pedestrian protection was considered, as the RX-8 is fitted with Mazda’s "shock-cone" hood design that yields more to the impact of a pedestrian onto the hood than a standard design, yet is strong enough to not deform in normal use.
Headquartered in Irvine, California, Mazda North American Operations oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada and Mexico through nearly 900 dealers. Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada, Inc., located in Ontario, Canada, and in Mexico by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.
For more information on Mazda products, visit the online Mazda media center at HYPERLINK "www.mazdausamedia.com" www.mazdausamedia.com.
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2009 RX-8 – Page PAGE 6
Comments (39)
Not bad, but I think it looks like it's smiling too much.
Posted by Gary | January 15, 2008 7:46 PM
Posted on January 15, 2008 19:46
rotary engine is pain in the azz to fix, also rotary engine drinks alot of gases.
rotary engine is not very reliable.
Posted by HanZ | January 15, 2008 7:59 PM
Posted on January 15, 2008 19:59
It is not a bad looking car, But I wonder if they fixed the Piss-Poor fuel economy, Lack of low end torque, Oil Burning, and the cold start problems. (You start it up, You shut it down before its warm, you try to restart and it floods the engine with too much gas causing it not to start until you tear apart the engine block to drain it.).
There is a reason why no one else but Mazda uses a rotary engine.
Posted by Mark | January 15, 2008 8:01 PM
Posted on January 15, 2008 20:01
Never understood why they don't make a cabrio version... A miata for grown-ups as it were.
Posted by Trinity | January 15, 2008 8:17 PM
Posted on January 15, 2008 20:17
I think it looks cool, but I would rip off the piece of plastic on the front
Posted by Derek | January 15, 2008 9:04 PM
Posted on January 15, 2008 21:04
@Mark:
I figured they would have had that gas problem fixed by now. I don't think you have pull the engine apart, but I do remember my buddies old rx7 flooding all the time after going just about anywhere.
Posted by gary | January 15, 2008 9:12 PM
Posted on January 15, 2008 21:12
I'm not a huge fan of the RX-8 but it smiles just like most of it's drivers. It's that nimble feel on the road combined with an engine that revs to 9k. Mazda fans also become very loyal at least in the rotary and miata circle. Also NA rotary engines are quite reliable up to 180k, just add gas and oil. I will admit I once had a RX-8 owner at a light say "I wonder if mine will be running in 13 years."
Mark:
A rotary will unflood as fast or faster then a piston engine and they burn oil because it's injected during the combustion cycle. I personally have never had flooding problems with my rotaries. If I'm not mistaken that was an ECU problem that was resolved in the 1st year.
Fuel economy will never be resolved with a rotary because they generate too much internal heat and need the fuel to cool things off. When modified the also run insanely rich and even with a cat can emit a fireball on WOT shifts. That also really impresses stang owners, though I'm not sure why...
Posted by RX-7 Guy | January 15, 2008 11:54 PM
Posted on January 15, 2008 23:54
Pfft.. this rotary is gonna suck as much as the last one. Anyone up to dyno %30 less than expected??
Posted by Rob | January 15, 2008 11:59 PM
Posted on January 15, 2008 23:59
Well I won't say I dislike rotary technology, I do think it has a very specific place (a sports car is certainly one of them). I have yet to understand why Mazda will not actually take advantage of the rotary's strengths. It needs to be boosted. Rotary's have a huge power stroke compared to a piston, and depending on design, you will probably end up with a less efficient power stroke (unless you have enough material to burn). Since that power stroke is so long (both physically and in a time sense), why not go with a slower flame rate fuel? Ethonal/E85 looks like it would work wonders in a rotary design. I doubt you could get any longevity out of a diesel design. And lastly, get rid of the plastics. I had a guy at the dealership pop the hood on the RX-8 to show me all the pretty plastic. I made the comment about the engine being somewhere in there and he laughed. I didn't. It doesn't make the asthetics of the car any better, and if anything makes it harder to tell if a real problem is developing.
Posted by Brian | January 16, 2008 1:26 AM
Posted on January 16, 2008 01:26
Still looks outdated. They gotta make the front end look meaner and wider. I used to work at a Mazda Dealership and I worked on these everyday helping the Mazda tech. They are so slow unless you add a turbo. I don't know why you guys like them. so much maintaince. THEY FLOOD BECUASE MY TECHS TOLD ME THAT MAZDA SHOULD TELL THE CUSTOMER THAT IF YOU START IT UP AND GO FOR A 5 OR 10 MIN DRIVE AND SHUT IT OFF IT WONT START AND WHEN YOU START IT YOU FLOOD IT. Before you shut it off you have to REV it to 3,000 rpms for 3-10 seconds. Fuel pump is easy you only have to take the back seats out. You have to use High octane. I drive a 97 Camaro and I love tourque. I took a customers RX8 to testdrive and im waitin but when it finally hits 5 grand then you feel alittle power but you fall alsleep before it hits the power band. I think its a shitty motor and they have alot more work to do to this rotoary motor.
Posted by Demetre | January 16, 2008 1:53 AM
Posted on January 16, 2008 01:53
The motor isnt bad you just need to wind the nuts off it to get anything out of it. If any of you have ever driven a rx8 like youve stolen it then youll understand why its such a great car. Reliabilty is always question in mazda but its such a fun car to beat the crap out of.
Posted by unknown | January 16, 2008 2:32 AM
Posted on January 16, 2008 02:32
@Demetre
Wow, employee of the month huh?
Posted by Z | January 16, 2008 5:59 AM
Posted on January 16, 2008 05:59
Goodness me, there's some rubbish being said on here.
1. Flooding. When starting it normally, do not press the gas pedal; the engine will sort the gas itself. Once started, allow the engine to warm up before you shut it down again. A short drive for a minute or two is enough; not five or ten. If in doubt, then when shutting down, spin the engine up to 3-4,000 rpm, release the gas pedal and shut off. Flooding is rarer than you might think.
2. Torque. It's the torque at the wheels that matters, not the torque at the engine. Read the article above again. The new RX-8 has a new shorter gear ratio on the final drive, this will give more torque at the wheels in every gear. That's more oomph, more pickup and more responsive. Secondly, to get the max out of the engine you need to spin it to the red line. Then when you change gear, you're still in the power band and flying.
3. Economy. If you want an economical car, buy something else because this isn't it. The bad news is that the gas milage of this car poor even if you baby it. The good news is that if you thrash it, the fuel economy is more or less the same as if you baby it. So you might as well give it some welly and enjoy yourself, which is, after all, the whole point of this car.
4. Enjoy. This is a sports car. It demands to be driven enthusiastically. Remember WHY they use a rotary engine. To keep the weight low, a low centre of gravity and a perfect 50-50 balanced chassis. That means it handles. It grips like crazy. You will chicken out before the tyres let go, believe me. It's at home in the corners. Drive this car down a twisty road and you will leave more powerful cars in your dust. And you will need plastic surgery to remove the resultant grin from your face.
In conclusion, if you buy this car, do so with your eyes open. Check out the very excellent RX8club.com. Find out what this car is all about. Decide if it's for you.
Posted by IJM | January 16, 2008 6:11 AM
Posted on January 16, 2008 06:11
and its still slow.... sloooooowwwwwwww
Posted by elemental | January 16, 2008 6:56 AM
Posted on January 16, 2008 06:56
Front end looks like one of those cars from that cartoon movie.
Posted by Zippy | January 16, 2008 7:29 AM
Posted on January 16, 2008 07:29
There are more changes to the car than the original post states, including revised rear suspension geometry to better handling.
The 6 speed transmission appears to be a new transmission (because of the new location for reverse). It is believed to be the new MX-5's transmission. For the implications of the new transmission on gearing, look at:
http://www.rx8club.com/showpost.php?p=2244033&postcount=42
Posted by ian | January 16, 2008 8:48 AM
Posted on January 16, 2008 08:48
I actually have an RX7, 1990 N/A. I always let it warm up and it's never flooded out. The original engine lasted 115,000 miles (it's better than a Porsche engine...). I get horrendous gas mileage for such a small car. Lowest is in the high 13's, highest in the low 18's. I average about 15mpg. I bought it because it was cheap and I live close to work...
Mazda can't turbocharge it because of emissions regulations. Blame the government, not Mazda. Mazda would love to give it some boost.
The rx8 does suck though, in my opinon. They shouldn't have made it a utilitarian 4 door sports car with back seats. It should be a two seater and keep the weight down. I'm sure it drives awesome, but imagine if it weighed 300+ pounds less...
With the horrible fuel mileage and low weight, the rotary should be in a performance sports car, not a 4 door daily driver pseudo-sports car.
Posted by Cheap Car Lover | January 16, 2008 9:49 AM
Posted on January 16, 2008 09:49
And, whats up with the automatic tranmission car. It's one of the slowest, worst shifting cars I've ever heard of. They shouldn't even produce such an abomination as it hurts their image and credibility as a sporty car brand.
Posted by Cheap Car Lover | January 16, 2008 9:53 AM
Posted on January 16, 2008 09:53
I admit, I'm in the rotary fan club. Just a correction though, the rotary engine is a low compression engine and does not require high octane gas. Regular works just as well.
Posted by Jesse | January 16, 2008 10:27 AM
Posted on January 16, 2008 10:27
I was tempted to buy one of these smilling buggers when i got my TL back in 06, i liked the way it looked and felt on the road, but i live in Chicago and a RWD car for our winters is not a safe choice, therefore i went with a fwd 06 TL, (and yes The TL oversteers like a rampaging bull) the new one looks nice but ill never own one unless i lose my mind. now i hear that its so tricky that it can flood with regular use makes me happy to hear that i went with the conservative option. I had an oportunity to race a M/T RX8 with my TL and yes it was faster than my car but it wasnt so much faster that i was blown away it was slightly faster and in the long run that dosent matter to me. the fact that i can start it and drive to work in a safe and reliable car means more to me than any powerslide or 9000rpm short shift could ever offer.
Posted by dennisil | January 16, 2008 10:46 AM
Posted on January 16, 2008 10:46
This car looks like pure sex, inside and out...these cars are quick as hell, drive nice and grip like a cheerleader on prom night. I'm planning on trading in my Stratus R/T for one come summer...I can't wait!
Posted by Hero of Canton | January 16, 2008 11:04 AM
Posted on January 16, 2008 11:04
It looks really nice. I have read that they solved the heating problem with rotarys.
Posted by TomLeeM/BigWarpGuy | January 16, 2008 12:15 PM
Posted on January 16, 2008 12:15
Wow, that really looks like a smile. I guess if people like cars that look like people, then happy people should like happy smiling cars.
Posted by gm0n3y | January 16, 2008 1:59 PM
Posted on January 16, 2008 13:59
232hp? Not. Enough. Power. For a sports car. And 13-15mpg? Hell, my Trans Am with a 454 Rat motor got that and made 550hp to boot. And the ear-bleeding torque, omg the college memories. Anyway...
I am not impressed with rotaries. Stick an aluminum DI V6 in it, or a Turbo DI 4cyl.
Posted by Kell | January 16, 2008 5:21 PM
Posted on January 16, 2008 17:21
It is pretty bad when a ford taurus makes 263hp vs the 232 stick version of the RX8. Yeah, flame me cause they are totally different market segments but when ones along side the taurus on the interstate and the two decide to have some fun with the taurus edging ahead I know who will be saying why the hell did I buy this............. I am sure my family compromise Altima 3.5 would take it down.
Posted by carluver57 | January 16, 2008 7:05 PM
Posted on January 16, 2008 19:05
Just thought I would add the RX8 looks insanely nice, but if they could shove another 40hp under the hood it would actually become a serious piece of machinery. No sports car in today's market should be putting out less than 250hp unless its a small (under 3K lbs.) aka Lotus Elise.
Posted by carluver57 | January 16, 2008 7:08 PM
Posted on January 16, 2008 19:08
Kell:
A 14.5 1/4 isn't exactly slow and I have owned a 454 and have to say you must have had the best tune ever. My old motor made around that and got about 6-10mpg around town, maybe 15 highway. You're also comparing a 700lbs 7.4L to 250lbs 1.3L these little engines are impressive
My current rotary makes 465 rwhp and runs in the mid 10's with street tires. Another RX-7 owner making only 342rwhp ran low 11's. http://youtube.com/watch?v=LNAoG73pG-E
To go that fast in a 350z you need over 500HP. My point is a light weight car with a rotary doesn't need much HP to fast.
Posted by RX-7 Guy | January 16, 2008 7:44 PM
Posted on January 16, 2008 19:44
For this car to survive mazda needed to do 1 of 2 things.
Increase performance while maintiaing the same fuel economy, or increase fuel economy while maintaing the same performance.
They increased performance and will most likely have worse fuel economy. I don't see this car sticking around for another 5 years.
Other than the engine problems its a nice car.
Posted by mf | January 16, 2008 10:49 PM
Posted on January 16, 2008 22:49
"Increase performance while maintiaing the same fuel economy, or increase fuel economy while maintaing the same performance."
And you obviously know little, if any, about rotaries. The engine in the RX8 has pretty much the best mpg of any rotary engine out there. Crap gas mileage is just a fact of life with a rotary engine and there's very little you can do to improve it. Kind of like an American car! (I'm mostly kidding about the American car thing.....mostly).
Posted by Remy LeBeau | January 17, 2008 6:52 AM
Posted on January 17, 2008 06:52
The should put the rotary in a car like the Elise... I totally agree!
Posted by Cheap Car Lover | January 17, 2008 10:17 AM
Posted on January 17, 2008 10:17
Last post on this one but I think as the HP limits are gone in the home market make a last RX-7. 2.0 L 3 rotor turbo. The factory could safely and reliable dial up 500HP and crush that ugly GTR. I've riden in a 3 rotor converted FD and it's was like an out of body experience at full tilt.
Posted by RX-7 Guy | January 17, 2008 6:55 PM
Posted on January 17, 2008 18:55
@Remy LeBeau
Mazda managed to get 70 more hp out of the rx8 with the na 1.3 rotary as they got in the rx7, while keeping the same fe. On top of that there is the fact that the sequential twin turbo added almost 100hp to the rx7 with the same fe as the previous na model. There are plenty of technologies out there that could have improved the fe of the rotary.
So apparently you don't know as much as you think you do.
Posted by mf | January 18, 2008 1:36 AM
Posted on January 18, 2008 01:36
@RX-7 Guy
I tuned it myself, of course it had the best tune :P
I stayed with oval port heads (ported, 3-angle) and a single Holley 750 double-pumper (ported) to keep the intake velocity and atomization high for torque and efficiency. I used a high lift, low duration roller cam with low overlap. I sacrificed some HP for mileage and reliability, as it was a daily driver to school and work. I also kept the redline to 6500prm, although it had full forged steel/aluminum internals. Even so, it would break the tires loose at 35mph if you punched it, and top speed was around 175mph with a 3.42 ring and pinion. Transmission was a TH400 with stage 2 B&M shift kit. I didn't use a high-stall converter because it was intended as a highway car, and traction was a big problem.
Anyway, back to the OP, the only advantage a rotary has is weight. I like the concept, but let's face it, it is a niche engine. The same engine mods will work on other types of engines too. Personally, I would like to see the RX8 with the mazdaspeed3 engine in it, or something similar.
Posted by Kell | January 18, 2008 4:39 PM
Posted on January 18, 2008 16:39
@ MF
Apparently you need to learn to read. I never said it was impossible to get better mpg with a rotary (the fact that the rx8 rotary gets better mpg than previous Mazda rotaries proves that there are SOME things you can do), but the things you CAN do will never give it GOOD mpg. The best you can hope for is "ok" mpg (which still hasn't been achieved).
Posted by Remy LeBeau | January 19, 2008 1:40 PM
Posted on January 19, 2008 13:40
@Remy
blah blah blah
Apparently I can read well enough to support my own arguments, you provide little support for your arguments just a lot of assumptions and personal attacks.
You even contradict yourself, ok is not the same as crap, so which is it crap or ok? If I could even believe anything you say. At this point I have some serious doubts about your credibility.
Posted by mf | January 20, 2008 10:55 PM
Posted on January 20, 2008 22:55
Looks like it's taking it up the a** and liking it.
Posted by Chris | January 21, 2008 10:03 AM
Posted on January 21, 2008 10:03
Ahh Mr Remy, at it again I see...still making friends are you?
Don't think I've once seen poor little Remy say anything positive.
The sad little individual is still in his virtual cave, trolling and belching flame.
Did you ever get that girlfriend or are you still in the 'bulk up phase' for your mouse hand of pleasure?
Posted by Remy LeMerde | January 22, 2008 7:14 PM
Posted on January 22, 2008 19:14
I own a 2007 RX-8GT MT and take it to the track on a regular basis. I must say, this car was made for the track. I like to push this thing into the corners. It simply goes where you point it, never fights you and so far have not been able to lose control and slide off the track no matter how hard I pushed it. True, the low end torque should be improved, but other than that I would not change a thing. I drive it to work every day and as a daily driver it feels as smooth on bumpy roads as my Mazda 3 did. It really is a well rounded car in my opinion. As other have stated, fuel economy is pretty much the same on a day at the track as it is is when driving to work on the highway, which is really surprising. Awesome little car! Can't wait to test drive and R3.
Posted by s10dude | January 25, 2008 12:09 AM
Posted on January 25, 2008 00:09
Here's my question to all the rotary fans out there. If mazda can produce 232hp from 2 rotors, why not take the renesis design and make it 3 rotors like the cosmo engine? More power and everyone is happy!
Oh and I use to own a 1988 rx7 na. It only flooded about once a year(after winter storage) The apex seals got bad and I lost compression so I sold it to someone for parts.
I test drove an rx8 when mazda had the tour event. But it didn't pull as nice as the evo, so thats what i'm driving now. The mazda car that I liked more and surprised me was the mazdaspeed miata. I will give props to the rx8 for a nice interior and manual shift feel. way better than my evo.
Posted by NoDos | January 25, 2008 10:49 AM
Posted on January 25, 2008 10:49