Mazda: RX-8 News
01-09-2004, 03:59 PM
#81
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The RX-8 is the better drive but the Nissan has HP ratings going for it, seemingly what everybody with an I.Q of 10 or more is concerned about.
RX-8 engine built for the RX-8, 350Z engine shared from Altima to the van, the Quest....
But, both rock for the money.
RX-8 engine built for the RX-8, 350Z engine shared from Altima to the van, the Quest....
But, both rock for the money.
10-08-2004, 05:44 PM
#88
Senior Moderator
2004 Mazda RX-8 Motorsport Concept
Here you go, guys! 
==================
2004 Mazda RX-8 Motorsport Concept
Courtesy of www.rsportscars.com
Mazda Australia unveiled the first of its “extreme cars”, a turbocharged RX-8 Motorsport Concept, at the 2004 Australian International Motor Show in Sydney. The “extreme” RX-8, which was conceived by Mazda Australia’s motor sport manager Allan Horsley, is powered by a turbocharged and intercooled rotary engine that is expected to develop about 360 horsepower and close to 260 lb-ft of torque. The car also features 19-inch wheels and tires, a high performance racing brake package, retuned suspension and Mazdaspeed body kit parts for a more aggressive look.
Motor sport manager, Allan Horsley, said: “The RX-8 Motorsport Concept was a must do challenge for us and thanks to the engineering sophistication of the production car it all came together in just a few months. “We plan to give some of the motoring media with racing experience the opportunity to enjoy the fruits of our labour at a track day drive event”.
The RX-8 Motorsport Concept makes its intentions known with an aggressive looking Mazdaspeed nose with integrated spoiler and big air intake as well as a large and adjustable Mazdaspeed rear wing. Velocity Red mica metallic paint and attention grabbing white “GT stripes” run along the car’s sides, while bonnet flutes further hint at the car’s added performance and aid under bonnet cooling.
Riding on striking white-painted, 19x8-inch alloy wheels, the concept features different tire sizes front and rear. 235/35 tires are used on the front wheels and larger 255/35 tires on the rear, helping deliver the concept’s prodigious power and torque to the road. The production RX-8 boasts 18x8 alloy wheels and 225/45 tires. A centre-mounted rotary-shaped brake lamp completes the strong visual statement made by the RX-8 Motorsport Concept.
The car’s revised suspension, which drops the ride height by almost 1 inch, improves the standard car’s class leading dynamics and adds to the concept’s visual impact. Suspension modifications focus on new specification, stiffer Eibach springs that help improve the already impressive grip offered by the RX-8’s multi-link front and rear suspension. The revised suspension settings, which help reduce body roll, further sharpen responses from the car’s electric-driven rack and pinion steering.
Promising considerably more power and torque than the standard car, the RX-8 Motorsport Concept features a Renesis rotary engine complete with a water cooled Garret turbocharger running 7.5 lbs of boost pressure and a large air-to-air intercooler. These modifications and a re-programmed Power Control Module that maximizes the engine’s efficiency are expected to boost power by more than 52 per cent over the production RX-8. The engine’s pulling power, or torque, receives a substantial boost over a wide rev band, with it peaking about 260 lb-ft, an increase of almost 65 per cent over the road car.
Using a relatively small and low-boost turbo ensures good throttle response and maintains the free-revving nature of the road car’s normally aspirated rotary engine.
The RX-8 Motorsport Concept’s compression ratio and redline are unaffected, allowing the turbo engine to race to 9000 rpm.
A larger, free-breathing exhaust system ensures maximum power gain while a new muffler also aids breathing and delivers a throatier, more purposeful exhaust note.
Braking is by an Alcon six piston racing system that features 335 mm vented and grooved discs. Similar systems are used in world rally, Japanese GT, V8 Supercar and NASCAR racing.
Other mechanical upgrades include a smaller but more powerful battery, while a larger core radiator ensures the engine runs within its ideal temperature range under all conditions.
Technical Specifications:
Engine
Type: W2, Turbocharged
Displacement cu in (cc): 80 (1308)
Power bhp (kW) at RPM: 362(270) / n.a.
Torque lb-ft (Nm) at RPM: 258(350) / n.a.
Redline at RPM: 9000
Brakes & Tires
Brakes F/R: ABS, vented disc/vented disc
Tires F-R: 235/35 - 255/35 R19
Exterior Dimensions & Weight
Length × Width × Height in: 174.3 × 69.7 × 51.8
Weight lb (kg): n.a.
Performance
Acceleration 0-62 mph s: n.a.
Top Speed mph (km/h): n.a.
Fuel Economy EPA city/highway mpg (l/100 km): n.a.
==================
2004 Mazda RX-8 Motorsport Concept
Courtesy of www.rsportscars.com
Mazda Australia unveiled the first of its “extreme cars”, a turbocharged RX-8 Motorsport Concept, at the 2004 Australian International Motor Show in Sydney. The “extreme” RX-8, which was conceived by Mazda Australia’s motor sport manager Allan Horsley, is powered by a turbocharged and intercooled rotary engine that is expected to develop about 360 horsepower and close to 260 lb-ft of torque. The car also features 19-inch wheels and tires, a high performance racing brake package, retuned suspension and Mazdaspeed body kit parts for a more aggressive look.
Motor sport manager, Allan Horsley, said: “The RX-8 Motorsport Concept was a must do challenge for us and thanks to the engineering sophistication of the production car it all came together in just a few months. “We plan to give some of the motoring media with racing experience the opportunity to enjoy the fruits of our labour at a track day drive event”.
The RX-8 Motorsport Concept makes its intentions known with an aggressive looking Mazdaspeed nose with integrated spoiler and big air intake as well as a large and adjustable Mazdaspeed rear wing. Velocity Red mica metallic paint and attention grabbing white “GT stripes” run along the car’s sides, while bonnet flutes further hint at the car’s added performance and aid under bonnet cooling.
Riding on striking white-painted, 19x8-inch alloy wheels, the concept features different tire sizes front and rear. 235/35 tires are used on the front wheels and larger 255/35 tires on the rear, helping deliver the concept’s prodigious power and torque to the road. The production RX-8 boasts 18x8 alloy wheels and 225/45 tires. A centre-mounted rotary-shaped brake lamp completes the strong visual statement made by the RX-8 Motorsport Concept.
The car’s revised suspension, which drops the ride height by almost 1 inch, improves the standard car’s class leading dynamics and adds to the concept’s visual impact. Suspension modifications focus on new specification, stiffer Eibach springs that help improve the already impressive grip offered by the RX-8’s multi-link front and rear suspension. The revised suspension settings, which help reduce body roll, further sharpen responses from the car’s electric-driven rack and pinion steering.
Promising considerably more power and torque than the standard car, the RX-8 Motorsport Concept features a Renesis rotary engine complete with a water cooled Garret turbocharger running 7.5 lbs of boost pressure and a large air-to-air intercooler. These modifications and a re-programmed Power Control Module that maximizes the engine’s efficiency are expected to boost power by more than 52 per cent over the production RX-8. The engine’s pulling power, or torque, receives a substantial boost over a wide rev band, with it peaking about 260 lb-ft, an increase of almost 65 per cent over the road car.
Using a relatively small and low-boost turbo ensures good throttle response and maintains the free-revving nature of the road car’s normally aspirated rotary engine.
The RX-8 Motorsport Concept’s compression ratio and redline are unaffected, allowing the turbo engine to race to 9000 rpm.
A larger, free-breathing exhaust system ensures maximum power gain while a new muffler also aids breathing and delivers a throatier, more purposeful exhaust note.
Braking is by an Alcon six piston racing system that features 335 mm vented and grooved discs. Similar systems are used in world rally, Japanese GT, V8 Supercar and NASCAR racing.
Other mechanical upgrades include a smaller but more powerful battery, while a larger core radiator ensures the engine runs within its ideal temperature range under all conditions.
Technical Specifications:
Engine
Type: W2, Turbocharged
Displacement cu in (cc): 80 (1308)
Power bhp (kW) at RPM: 362(270) / n.a.
Torque lb-ft (Nm) at RPM: 258(350) / n.a.
Redline at RPM: 9000
Brakes & Tires
Brakes F/R: ABS, vented disc/vented disc
Tires F-R: 235/35 - 255/35 R19
Exterior Dimensions & Weight
Length × Width × Height in: 174.3 × 69.7 × 51.8
Weight lb (kg): n.a.
Performance
Acceleration 0-62 mph s: n.a.
Top Speed mph (km/h): n.a.
Fuel Economy EPA city/highway mpg (l/100 km): n.a.
10-08-2004, 08:37 PM
#90
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i love that car, the stripes and the rimms work well together but i think they could lose the stripes and go for a better set of rimms. the engine is wow
10-09-2004, 09:52 AM
#93
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Mazda had better make a high performance RX-8, seeing as the upcoming Mazda 6 turbo will probably eat the current RX-8 for breakfast.
10-11-2004, 01:53 AM
#97
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that looks booty.
10-11-2004, 09:22 AM
#99
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Originally Posted by F23A4
Mazda had better make a high performance RX-8, seeing as the upcoming Mazda 6 turbo will probably eat the current RX-8 for breakfast.
10-11-2004, 09:23 AM
#100
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Originally Posted by Black CL-S 4-Life
Should of had a turbo from the jump.
10-13-2004, 12:05 PM
#101
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RX-8 hits 100,000 sales mark - - Source: Autoweek
Eighteen months into production, Mazda has produced the 100,000th RX-8 at its plant in Japan. The rotary-powered RX-8 is sold in more than 20 countries, led by U.S. sales of 29,000 units at the end of August, followed by Japan with 23,000.
Eighteen months into production, Mazda has produced the 100,000th RX-8 at its plant in Japan. The rotary-powered RX-8 is sold in more than 20 countries, led by U.S. sales of 29,000 units at the end of August, followed by Japan with 23,000.
10-13-2004, 01:52 PM
#102
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dude i saw that i posted that i just said to myself "shit i need to change my password i never posted that!"
i looked back at the date hehe
btw that car is hot and id love to have one
i looked back at the date hehe
btw that car is hot and id love to have one
10-13-2004, 05:19 PM
#103
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Originally Posted by Python2121
dude i saw that i posted that i just said to myself "shit i need to change my password i never posted that!"
i looked back at the date hehe
i looked back at the date hehe
You should know by now that I dont like duplicate threads for vehicles
11-21-2004, 10:13 AM
#107
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2004 MazdaSpeed Mazda RX-8 - - By THE EDITORS OF AUTOWEEK - - Source: Autoweek
2004 MAZDASPEED MAZDA RX-8
DATE IN FLEET: Oct. 13-26
AS-TESTED PRICE: $41,566 Powertrain: 1.3-liter twin-rotary; rwd, six-speed manual
OUTPUT: 238 hp @ 8500 rpm, 159 lb-ft @ 5500 rpm
CURB WEIGHT: 3029 pounds
DATE IN FLEET: Oct. 13-26
AS-TESTED PRICE: $41,566 Powertrain: 1.3-liter twin-rotary; rwd, six-speed manual
OUTPUT: 238 hp @ 8500 rpm, 159 lb-ft @ 5500 rpm
CURB WEIGHT: 3029 pounds
11-21-2004, 02:10 PM
#110
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Originally Posted by majesty
waste of money, you can get a used m3 for that price....hell an old e36 m3 is still better than that crap.....
11-21-2004, 02:21 PM
#112
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So does an E36 M3 though. Mazda needs to go back to the drawing board with the RX8. The Mazdspeed RX8 should have been around 300 hp and turbocharged. Heck for 41k, you are knocking on C6 territory.
07-22-2005, 09:43 AM
#115
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Recalled
Car News briefs - - Source: Autoweek
...
NHTSA also reported Mazda is recalling nearly 28,000 2004 RX-8s. Cracks reportedly could occur in the ball joint socket due to improper forging of the lower control arm, which could lead to a loss of steering that could result in a crash, NHTSA said.
NHTSA also reported Mazda is recalling nearly 28,000 2004 RX-8s. Cracks reportedly could occur in the ball joint socket due to improper forging of the lower control arm, which could lead to a loss of steering that could result in a crash, NHTSA said.
?
02-16-2006, 09:42 AM
#118
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Mazda Begins Leasing Hydrogen Rotaries - - Source: The Car Connection
Mazda says it will begin leasing a version of the RX-8 in Japan that can be powered by gasoline or hydrogen. The RX-8 Hydrogen RE, Reuters reports, is based on the sportscar of the same name, and can be run on either fuel at the flick of a switch. The theoretical range of the vehicle is 62 miles under hydrogen power and 41 miles with gasoline power, the news agency reported. The vehicles are being leased to a Japanese oil company for about $3500 a month.
07-31-2006, 10:56 AM
#120
Senior Moderator
Mazda RX-8 PZ
From Topgear.com...
The great thing about living with an RX-8 is it's just that little bit different. They might not be as flashy as a Nissan 350Z, or as ubiquitous as a Golf GTI; instead, what you get is an interesting, useable and affordable four-seat semi-sports car with all the thrashy idiosyncrasies of rotary power.
But has the love gone out of the relationship over the past three years? After all, it's still only a Mazda. It's not particularly quick, or comfy, and there's only so much oil you can put in a car before you twig that the Renesis engine is erring towards flawed.
So now that the honeymoon period with press and public has morphed into something closer to a sexless marriage, Mazda is trying to rekindle the fire. And it's Prodrive the company has turned to for counselling.
That, in itself, sounds very promising - a bit more like attempting to spice up your love life with a trip to the back room in Ann Summers than attending marriage guidance on the NHS.
In practice, this joint venture will offer a limited run of 800 of these £25,995 RX-8 PZs, which command a £3,650 premium over the standard 228bhp model. Power remains the same but the bods at Prodrive have gone to town underneath.
Ride height is down by 15mm all round, while bespoke springs and dampers keep the car flatter in the corners. Spring rates have been increased by 60 per cent and the dampers tuned to tighten body control. Suspension geometry has also been tinkered to improve steering and handling.
Of far greater consequence to the sort of person who's going to fall in love with the RX-8 all over again, are the unique dark-silver 18-inch alloys with carbon-fibre centre caps. There's also a bigger boot spoiler - wind tunnel tested apparently - and black mesh grilles over the air intakes.
Only available in flat black or metallic grey, there's a carefully constructed theme of menace to the PZ that's further enhanced by a more punchy exhaust note.
What's important, though, is that you need to love the RX-8 for what it is, not just dress it up in the car equivalent of bondage gear and convince yourself that things are going to last.
If you're not convinced by the RX-8 proper, then spending a load more cash on an RX-8 with tarty boots that rides like a dominatrix with a plane to catch, will only end in divorce.
But has the love gone out of the relationship over the past three years? After all, it's still only a Mazda. It's not particularly quick, or comfy, and there's only so much oil you can put in a car before you twig that the Renesis engine is erring towards flawed.
So now that the honeymoon period with press and public has morphed into something closer to a sexless marriage, Mazda is trying to rekindle the fire. And it's Prodrive the company has turned to for counselling.
That, in itself, sounds very promising - a bit more like attempting to spice up your love life with a trip to the back room in Ann Summers than attending marriage guidance on the NHS.
In practice, this joint venture will offer a limited run of 800 of these £25,995 RX-8 PZs, which command a £3,650 premium over the standard 228bhp model. Power remains the same but the bods at Prodrive have gone to town underneath.
Ride height is down by 15mm all round, while bespoke springs and dampers keep the car flatter in the corners. Spring rates have been increased by 60 per cent and the dampers tuned to tighten body control. Suspension geometry has also been tinkered to improve steering and handling.
Of far greater consequence to the sort of person who's going to fall in love with the RX-8 all over again, are the unique dark-silver 18-inch alloys with carbon-fibre centre caps. There's also a bigger boot spoiler - wind tunnel tested apparently - and black mesh grilles over the air intakes.
Only available in flat black or metallic grey, there's a carefully constructed theme of menace to the PZ that's further enhanced by a more punchy exhaust note.
What's important, though, is that you need to love the RX-8 for what it is, not just dress it up in the car equivalent of bondage gear and convince yourself that things are going to last.
If you're not convinced by the RX-8 proper, then spending a load more cash on an RX-8 with tarty boots that rides like a dominatrix with a plane to catch, will only end in divorce.