Consumer Guide Speaks of RX-7 & Convertible
03-13-2006, 12:00 PM
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Consumer Guide Speaks of RX-7 & Convertible
This is the write up for the 2005 RX-8 - found through the reviews section of Yahoo Automotive. Just thought I'd share it to add fuel to the fire:
Consumer Guide Rating
Pros: Acceleration; Steering/handling; Instruments/controls
Cons: Rear-seat entry/exit; Rear visibility; Cargo room
Highlights
Mazda's rotary-engine-powered sporty car is a 4-passenger 4-dr with rear-hinged rear doors that do not open or close independently of the fronts. Conventional engines use pistons that move up and down in cylinders. A rotary has triangular rotors that spin inside oval housings. The RX-8's displaces 1.3-liters and has 197 hp when teamed with a 4-speed automatic transmission, 238 hp when linked with a 6-speed manual. The automatic includes a manual-shift mode using steering-wheel paddles or floor lever. Manual-transmission RX-8s have 18-inch wheels, stiffer sport suspension, and a limited-slip differential. A Sport Package option for automatics replaces their 16-inch wheels with 18s and adds the stiffer suspension. ABS, front side airbags, and head-protecting curtain side airbags are standard. An uplevel Shinka model was added during the model year. Standard xenon headlights and a suspension tuned for ride comfort are unique to Shinka. Standard on Shinka and available for base models is leather upholstery, antiskid/traction control, satellite radio, and a power sunroof. A navigation system is available for all RX-8s. We have not yet tested the Shinka.
Model News
Echoing earlier British reports, Detroit sources say RX-8 will add a two-door coupe and cloth-top convertible in spring 2006 as early-'07 models. Both are likely to be two-seaters on a cut-down RX-8 platform. Don't rule out unique styling--or the RX-7 name--to brand these as "true" sports cars in the original RX-7 tradition. We've heard talk of a larger, 1.6-liter rotary engine that could show up in all three models. Horsepower is whispered at 300 hp in normally aspirated form, and an even more-potent supercharged version is said to be in the works. Stay tuned.
As for the RX-8 itself, sources see no major changes for the next couple of years. A possible exception is availability of a stronger automatic transmission, either a 5- or 6-speed unit, so buyers who choose that option will get the same power as shift-it-yourself RX-8s.
Competition
Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. The Sporty/Performance Car class consists of two-seat roadsters, 4-cyl hatchbacks, and V8 muscle cars. Regardless of configuration, all have an emphasis on affordable performance.
Our Best Buys include the Mazda Miata, and Pontiac GTO. Our Recommended picks are the Acura RSX, Ford Mustang, Honda S2000, Mini Cooper, Nissan 350Z, and Scion tC.
Consumer Guide Rating
Pros: Acceleration; Steering/handling; Instruments/controls
Cons: Rear-seat entry/exit; Rear visibility; Cargo room
Highlights
Mazda's rotary-engine-powered sporty car is a 4-passenger 4-dr with rear-hinged rear doors that do not open or close independently of the fronts. Conventional engines use pistons that move up and down in cylinders. A rotary has triangular rotors that spin inside oval housings. The RX-8's displaces 1.3-liters and has 197 hp when teamed with a 4-speed automatic transmission, 238 hp when linked with a 6-speed manual. The automatic includes a manual-shift mode using steering-wheel paddles or floor lever. Manual-transmission RX-8s have 18-inch wheels, stiffer sport suspension, and a limited-slip differential. A Sport Package option for automatics replaces their 16-inch wheels with 18s and adds the stiffer suspension. ABS, front side airbags, and head-protecting curtain side airbags are standard. An uplevel Shinka model was added during the model year. Standard xenon headlights and a suspension tuned for ride comfort are unique to Shinka. Standard on Shinka and available for base models is leather upholstery, antiskid/traction control, satellite radio, and a power sunroof. A navigation system is available for all RX-8s. We have not yet tested the Shinka.
Model News
Echoing earlier British reports, Detroit sources say RX-8 will add a two-door coupe and cloth-top convertible in spring 2006 as early-'07 models. Both are likely to be two-seaters on a cut-down RX-8 platform. Don't rule out unique styling--or the RX-7 name--to brand these as "true" sports cars in the original RX-7 tradition. We've heard talk of a larger, 1.6-liter rotary engine that could show up in all three models. Horsepower is whispered at 300 hp in normally aspirated form, and an even more-potent supercharged version is said to be in the works. Stay tuned.
As for the RX-8 itself, sources see no major changes for the next couple of years. A possible exception is availability of a stronger automatic transmission, either a 5- or 6-speed unit, so buyers who choose that option will get the same power as shift-it-yourself RX-8s.
Competition
Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. The Sporty/Performance Car class consists of two-seat roadsters, 4-cyl hatchbacks, and V8 muscle cars. Regardless of configuration, all have an emphasis on affordable performance.
Our Best Buys include the Mazda Miata, and Pontiac GTO. Our Recommended picks are the Acura RSX, Ford Mustang, Honda S2000, Mini Cooper, Nissan 350Z, and Scion tC.
03-13-2006, 12:06 PM
#2
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I guarantee they get their info right here! That is all speculation that has been argued here for a long time. The funny thing about the 1.6 liter engine is that a forum member posed the question of it's feasibility and it turned into a speculative argument that people started believing as fact. Nope. I give this article no credibility. In fact, it's about 6 months back in terms of the rumors department. They are just now mentioning the 6 speed auto as a possibility. They'd better head over to a dealership.
04-01-2006, 11:21 PM
#7
i pwn therefore i am
For what it's worth, when I first saw this post, I Googled it and found the Yahoo page that had this writeup. So, it's not a fake as far as the article being on Yahoo. Doesn't necessarily make the info contained therein more reliable, but it's something.
04-03-2006, 10:55 AM
#8
2006 Velocity Red Mica
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The articles not fake, I just posted it since it to laugh at what reporters are writing about the car.
Dominion - Good job on the "convertable" image - it was a nice touch to leave the sun visers in the shot!
Dominion - Good job on the "convertable" image - it was a nice touch to leave the sun visers in the shot!
04-03-2006, 12:13 PM
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Dominion, that convertible looks hidious!
Your signature however...
Your signature however...
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