Facelifted RX8 revealed!!!!
#802
The Stig
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#803
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#804
Please for the love of God kill the factory stereo and I'd be happy. why do companies keep challenging the aftermarket, it's never going to go away and all this integrated bs is lame.
#805
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To me the only aspect of the tranny ratio that needs improvement is the 3 to 4 shift, where there's a noticeable lag after the shift at redline (about 90-92 mph). Let's hope it addresses that.
#806
Row faster, I hear banjos
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4.77 Gears - Improvement or not?
Some food for thought - I was watching a few of my older Best Motoring videos and came across the "Factory Fighters" episode where they compared a limited edition Mazdaspeed RX-8 (JDM) to a regular RX-8 Sport. The MS RX-8 came with 4.77 gears. In a 1/4 mile run that was done side-by-side on a wet track, the Sport model ran a 14.8 to a 15.0 turned by the MS model. While the 7% shorter gearing of the MS model could have caused more wheelspin resulting in the slower time, the announcer noted that the shorter final drive on the MS model, didn't allow the car to stay in the high rpm powerband for very long before an upshift was required.
So now that the '09 RX-8 gets this shorter final drive, will the car truly be any faster???
Some food for thought - I was watching a few of my older Best Motoring videos and came across the "Factory Fighters" episode where they compared a limited edition Mazdaspeed RX-8 (JDM) to a regular RX-8 Sport. The MS RX-8 came with 4.77 gears. In a 1/4 mile run that was done side-by-side on a wet track, the Sport model ran a 14.8 to a 15.0 turned by the MS model. While the 7% shorter gearing of the MS model could have caused more wheelspin resulting in the slower time, the announcer noted that the shorter final drive on the MS model, didn't allow the car to stay in the high rpm powerband for very long before an upshift was required.
So now that the '09 RX-8 gets this shorter final drive, will the car truly be any faster???
#807
Agree. Do it do it right or don't bother. Even the cheap sirius intro radio has continious scroll for artist/song. If they do anything an ipod should be intergrated into the steering wheel from a safety standpoint.
#808
4.77 Gears - Improvement or not?
Some food for thought - I was watching a few of my older Best Motoring videos and came across the "Factory Fighters" episode where they compared a limited edition Mazdaspeed RX-8 (JDM) to a regular RX-8 Sport. The MS RX-8 came with 4.77 gears. In a 1/4 mile run that was done side-by-side on a wet track, the Sport model ran a 14.8 to a 15.0 turned by the MS model. While the 7% shorter gearing of the MS model could have caused more wheelspin resulting in the slower time, the announcer noted that the shorter final drive on the MS model, didn't allow the car to stay in the high rpm powerband for very long before an upshift was required.
So now that the '09 RX-8 gets this shorter final drive, will the car truly be any faster???
Some food for thought - I was watching a few of my older Best Motoring videos and came across the "Factory Fighters" episode where they compared a limited edition Mazdaspeed RX-8 (JDM) to a regular RX-8 Sport. The MS RX-8 came with 4.77 gears. In a 1/4 mile run that was done side-by-side on a wet track, the Sport model ran a 14.8 to a 15.0 turned by the MS model. While the 7% shorter gearing of the MS model could have caused more wheelspin resulting in the slower time, the announcer noted that the shorter final drive on the MS model, didn't allow the car to stay in the high rpm powerband for very long before an upshift was required.
So now that the '09 RX-8 gets this shorter final drive, will the car truly be any faster???
I doubt it will make a huge difference. Maybe a few tenths at the most, and maybe nothing for the reasons you posted.
But it will make it more driveable, you wont have to downshift as much to get into the meat of the powerband.
#810
Administrator
i was thinking this before but forgot to mention it until that one coomparison above- there really inst any need for "eyelids" now. they've pinched the headlights and givne them the out line of what most of the aftermarket "eyelids" have. its liek they put on the ANGRY EYES
the front in altspaces pics looks great. i just need to make some mesh to hide the bar
the front in altspaces pics looks great. i just need to make some mesh to hide the bar
#811
T-29 years and counting
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i was thinking just about ever lip body kit made for the 8 has a continious flat bottom profile, i wonder why mazda went with the heavy looking jaw lines on the new bumper? (if you know what i am saying, does this mean aftermarket kits will also follow suite?)
#814
Now watch me yuuuuaaaaaa!
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"For 2009, engineers improved RX-8 body rigidity through the addition of structural reinforcements, by adding a trapezoidal strut tower bar and enhancing the local rigidity"
how come they are saying it's lighter after all these additional reinforcements and a bigger diameter exhaust?
how come they are saying it's lighter after all these additional reinforcements and a bigger diameter exhaust?
#817
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True,
As Mazda anticipated a "...better/improved acceleration" WE, on this board, speculated that that could be achieved by a weight reduction (among other things).
However Mazda has not stated the weight for the new RX8 yet. So could still be lighter despite the reinforcements and wider exhaust pipes.
I imagine, final specs will not be released until the model is ready, or almost ready, for sale.
Cheers
jird20
As Mazda anticipated a "...better/improved acceleration" WE, on this board, speculated that that could be achieved by a weight reduction (among other things).
However Mazda has not stated the weight for the new RX8 yet. So could still be lighter despite the reinforcements and wider exhaust pipes.
I imagine, final specs will not be released until the model is ready, or almost ready, for sale.
Cheers
jird20
Last edited by jird20; 01-14-2008 at 03:15 PM.
#818
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why the bigger exhaust pipe if the car does not make any more power? if the pipe is bigger will it use the same mufler?
Last edited by rotary crazy; 01-14-2008 at 12:44 PM.
#819
Purveyor of fine bass
#821
The mazdaspeed looks like factory rice.
I love the redesign of the RX8 but am sorely disappointed regarding the lack of significant power gains. I sold a 400 whp 2G Eclipse before moving to my 07 and the RX8 is a vastly superior car, but sometimes I really miss what "fast" felt like even when accomplished by brute force. Can't touch RX8 handling though.
I love the redesign of the RX8 but am sorely disappointed regarding the lack of significant power gains. I sold a 400 whp 2G Eclipse before moving to my 07 and the RX8 is a vastly superior car, but sometimes I really miss what "fast" felt like even when accomplished by brute force. Can't touch RX8 handling though.
#822
#823
R3 Doesn't make sense! The should have just stuck with RS
I know the press release said its named the R3 in the tradition of the 3rd gen RX-7 R1 and R2 models. BUT, Mazda did state that the RX-8 is NOT a replacement for the RX-7.
So R3 doesn't make sense. It's like naming a movie sequel #3, but the first 2 movies are from a different series and era.
I know the press release said its named the R3 in the tradition of the 3rd gen RX-7 R1 and R2 models. BUT, Mazda did state that the RX-8 is NOT a replacement for the RX-7.
So R3 doesn't make sense. It's like naming a movie sequel #3, but the first 2 movies are from a different series and era.
Paul.
#824
Hummmmm...
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altspace, thanks for the pics! I noticed that for that non-RS model:
1. The front bumper looks good without the foglights (with the exception of that black plastic piece in the middle)
2. It has the current-model wheels!
3. No side skirts (in comparison to the RS)?
4. From the back, it looks like.... NEW JERSEY PLATES!! What dealer is this?? I'd like to look at it personally
#825
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