From CBS Market Watch
07-13-2003 | 11:23 AM
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I REALLY LOVE THIS CAR!
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From CBS Market Watch
2004 Mazda RX-8
'We don't want to look like anything else out there'
By Ron Amadon, CBS.MarketWatch.com
Last Update: 1:02 AM ET July 12, 2003
REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. (CBS MW) -- Prowling the floor at the Frankfurt Auto Show too many years ago, one car stood out like a Salvation Army booth next to the beer hall at the OctoberFest. It was an NSU RO-80 with something called a rotary engine.
The NSU designers turned out a stunner in the auto world of the late '60s.
"We don't want to look like anything else out there," they might have said of the RO-80. Instead that was said by a Mazda official two weeks ago explaining the new rotary powered 2004 RX-8, four-door, four-seat sports car that will be appearing shortly at dealer lots. See slide show.
Mazda has performed masterful improvement surgery on the engine over years, and now has a sweetheart twin rotary that is light, fuel efficient, and small. It's 60 percent smaller than a typical V-6 and 30 percent smaller than the typical V-4.
The so-called Renesis rotary cranks out 250 horsepower at 8,500 rpm. You can rev it to 9,000 and it will sound nothing but sweet. The real power doesn't really kick in until about 3,500 but from there on up it will more than please a rev-happy owner.
Due the rotary's light weight and small mass (it's about the size of the transmission), Mazda could lower the hood of the RX-8 and move the engine well back of the front wheels to achieve the much desired 50-50 weight distribution.
Because Ford-controlled Mazda (F: news, chart, profile) wanted something totally new, it added two seats in back, accessed through half doors that do not open independently of the front ones. It's a nifty idea for storing stuff on a long trip, or small kids, but two adults would not be happy there for anything other than short trips.
Handling is sports car sharp, making the car a hoot to drive. A well-equipped RX-8 with the Miata-like six-speed stick should go for about $30,300 -- a base model sells for about three grand less.
Based on two five-hour trips in a couple of preproduction models, we would strongly recommend opting for the optional multi-adjustable power seats.
Mazda wants to sell up to 12,000 RX-8s this year and up to 30,000 next year.
We can see no reason in the world why they should not meet or exceed that target. With its crisp handling, distinctive styling, first class sports car interior and ample storage space, the RX-8 deserves serious consideration from anyone looking for the newest, rev-happy, sports car in town.
Ron Amadon is a radio reporter for CBS.MarketWatch.com.
:D :D :D :D
'We don't want to look like anything else out there'
By Ron Amadon, CBS.MarketWatch.com
Last Update: 1:02 AM ET July 12, 2003
REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. (CBS MW) -- Prowling the floor at the Frankfurt Auto Show too many years ago, one car stood out like a Salvation Army booth next to the beer hall at the OctoberFest. It was an NSU RO-80 with something called a rotary engine.
The NSU designers turned out a stunner in the auto world of the late '60s.
"We don't want to look like anything else out there," they might have said of the RO-80. Instead that was said by a Mazda official two weeks ago explaining the new rotary powered 2004 RX-8, four-door, four-seat sports car that will be appearing shortly at dealer lots. See slide show.
Mazda has performed masterful improvement surgery on the engine over years, and now has a sweetheart twin rotary that is light, fuel efficient, and small. It's 60 percent smaller than a typical V-6 and 30 percent smaller than the typical V-4.
The so-called Renesis rotary cranks out 250 horsepower at 8,500 rpm. You can rev it to 9,000 and it will sound nothing but sweet. The real power doesn't really kick in until about 3,500 but from there on up it will more than please a rev-happy owner.
Due the rotary's light weight and small mass (it's about the size of the transmission), Mazda could lower the hood of the RX-8 and move the engine well back of the front wheels to achieve the much desired 50-50 weight distribution.
Because Ford-controlled Mazda (F: news, chart, profile) wanted something totally new, it added two seats in back, accessed through half doors that do not open independently of the front ones. It's a nifty idea for storing stuff on a long trip, or small kids, but two adults would not be happy there for anything other than short trips.
Handling is sports car sharp, making the car a hoot to drive. A well-equipped RX-8 with the Miata-like six-speed stick should go for about $30,300 -- a base model sells for about three grand less.
Based on two five-hour trips in a couple of preproduction models, we would strongly recommend opting for the optional multi-adjustable power seats.
Mazda wants to sell up to 12,000 RX-8s this year and up to 30,000 next year.
We can see no reason in the world why they should not meet or exceed that target. With its crisp handling, distinctive styling, first class sports car interior and ample storage space, the RX-8 deserves serious consideration from anyone looking for the newest, rev-happy, sports car in town.
Ron Amadon is a radio reporter for CBS.MarketWatch.com.
:D :D :D :D
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