Gord96BRG

There's only so much development money to go around when developing a new car. Since the RX-8 is all-new, it would have been a very expensive project. I'd bet that Mazda didn't have the funds to engineer a new transmission at the same time.

As I said in a previous post, I'm certain that there will be a new 5 speed automatic in the RX-8 by the 2006 model year, along with a sequential 6-speed semi-auto. Both will likely be engineered to handle the revs of the current Renesis, along with the 300 hp of the 1.5 litre version that will be in the new RX-7.

If you can't drive a stick and have to have an auto - either buy one now and live with only 210 hp, or wait a year or two and get all the power and a much better auto trans!

Regards,
Gordon

MikeW

The NSX automatic makes 250 hp@6600 rpms
& 210 ft-lbs@5300

maverikk

Hmmm. Need some advise. I believed until now that the standard engine with 192HP and the manual 5-speed here would be o.k. for me. But if I read this carefully about the engine, ports etc. I get some doubts.... Any idea? Is the high power the "real" thing against the standard?

wakeech

...as i've said many times before, i think that getting the el-cheapo model (which is still quite expensive, and still very very nice) in Europe with the 5speed and the 4-port motor might be a far better tuner's car than the hi-po motor... 4 port + turbo = fun fun fun, and (oooh la la!!) torque (:p) through a lower range of revs (with maybe some very low rpm throttlr response tradeoffs...)... basically you could make as much or more hp on a turbo 4 port motor for as much or a little more than the high-power motor, of course sacrificing the anemties, trim, and even the sport suspension package??? (i don't know what the deal is with that stuff)

...the only real unknown (at least to me) is the strength of the 5 speed tranny... the 6 speed has been proven in countless turbo Miatas which have way more force per rev than the RX-8 will see in the hands of most, so it's not a huge problem in that regard.

maverikk

Wakeech, many tnx for the reply. What I actually meant: NOT tuning the car but leaving it like it is. 192HP, not more. Against the hi-po version???

wakeech

well, i'll say again that 190hp isn't slow by any measure... that's a helluva lot more power (30hp) than the last incarnation of the 6 port motors were making back in '91.

rototlewski

yeah it is

the turbo option you speak of is what i have been saying ever since i read through the press kit

i mean 6 ports suck on fi. any of those vortech supercharged fc's show that

and to reply to how you learned about cars, i learned much the same way but i just happened to have a father who was a mechanic
I have always hd a thing for engines I have like 3 of those clear plastic engine models 4 cyclinder a V8 and a rotary
i built the 8 with my dad when i was 9 that was fun

im 16 now and alas wakeech does know more than me and it pisses me off, well at least he has better writhing skills

MikeW

If my Grand Turisimo memory serves me, the Rx-7 had maximum torque @ 5500 rpm and maximum horsepower @ 6500 rpm. and I thought the rev limiter was 8K, but power dropped off quickly, so I would upshift @ 7K

Haris

Well automatic NSX with 3.0L runs 0-60 in like 5.8 seconds. If mazda made a good auto tranny, or at least used mazda6's 5 speed auto but to redline at 6500 rpm, then RX8 auto would still be sporty. I mean right now, if it's slower than mazda6 auto, then I dont know whats so good about it except better looks and RWD. I guess I'll just wish that mazda makes or somehow uses mazda6's 5 speed auto insteaad of 4 speed.