Found this snippet at wardsauto.com:

"As a result, the new engine meets Europe's Stage IV emission standards, while achieving an estimated 23.5 mpg (10L/100 km) in city driving, up from RX-7 levels of just more than 18 mpg (13L/100 km). Mazda expects to raise fuel economy another 30%, to 30 mpg (7.8L/100 km), in 2005. And by expanding the intake port area, the engine runs smoothly at 9,000 rpm — already a rotary hallmark."

Now *that* is the mileage I was hoping to see. If they can hit 30 mpg in the Renesis while getting 250 bhp, we could see this engine start to really take off...

Full article at http://waw.wardsauto.com/ar/auto_rotary_redux/index.htm

 

also in that article:
"Predicated on monthly output of 5,000 units, the company says, amazingly, that Renesis' cost is slightly less than it would pay for a standard V-6 engine. By implication, Mazda plans to produce 60,000 RX-8s annually, though management declines to disclose sales targets."
if that is true it doesn't sound like there will be any shortage to me.

:D

 

5 000 units per MONTH??? HOLY F*CK!! and if they're cheaper to manufacture than a typical V6 (which makes perfect sence to me...), why the hell are they making V6's??? :p
LONG LIVE THE DIZZY TRIANGLES!!

 

Well, a 30% improvement on 18 MPG is 23.4 MPG (or ~23.5 MPG), and Mazda has been saying the RX-8 is ~30% better than the RX-7 was on gas. Makes sense. Its a terrific improvement, especially considering that the engine produces lower emissions.
That said, I'm skeptical another 30% improvement could be made so soon, but you never know.

 

and if they are going to improve it to 30mpg in 2005 do i wait 2 more years for it? or just get one now and then trade up in 2 years? i am not mentioning this thread to my wife!:D

 

So much for the rotary being a gas guzzler. Now it gets better mileage than just about every V6 engine out there, save the new 240hp Honda engine in the new Accord. I believe that hits 30mpg with an automatic. Pretty impressive. Most of the rest of the V6's get what, about 21 city 27 highway? Nissans are even worse.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. If the rotary had even half of the development that the pistons have had, there would be no comparison as far as power and economy go. The piston has had 100+ years of EVERY car company deveolping it, while the rotary has really had only about 40-50 years of development by Mazda only. Yes, there were a few back in the day, such as NSU or GM, but theirs never worked even half as well as the Mazda powerplants. Truly amazing.

I hope joe public will find this latest rotary to be a no compromise engine, and the demand is huge. I'd love to see more rotary cars

 

personally,

Even if the RX8 is capable of 30 mpg, I think mine would be around 15 mpg. Just the desire to hear and feel the engine accellerate would keep my foot to the floor as much as possible!

 

Not to mention Mazda has a research budget of about a hundredth of the big 3 (or Toyota or Nissan for that matter).
Anyhoo, I agree entirely. The Rotary is inherently a better design than the piston engine. The fact that Mazda could acheive an improvement of 30% in economy just by changing the ports is a testament that there is still MUCH potential. These days a change of 1-2% in economy for a piston engine is stuff to celebrate.

 

Agreed.

Rotary is the way of the future if car makers and consumers can see it.. The RX-8 is the true testing grounds now

 

A "Sports Car" with 30 mpg!!!!! Thats awesome!!! The RX-8 can only get better, only improve!!! Remember they've had two years to test and improve on it. I truelly belive that Mazda is going to exceed our expectations.