If you go to

http://autozine.kyul.net/

before he updates it for the next edition. The pop up window has his prognostications for the next Rx-7.

Also he has a favorable review of the Rx-8

 

I read some of that guy's reviews and to be honest... he sounds like a tool. If you read a couple of the articles it seems to come down to this: any vehicle that is not made in Japan with gobs of HP/torque is garbage. He seems very anti ford, chevy, audi, and BMW. If you ask me, he's a true ricer with a crappy online-mag that almost no one reads.

And I say all this despite the fact that his RX-8 review was somewhat positive.

 

... not to mention he's got the next RX-7 worked out pretty wrong: Mazda's not going to just continue with a design just like the FD...

target weight: 1000kg (of course, they're probably gonna get like 1100, but that's still damned light)
target power: +300bhp
motor: the wider rotor'd RENESIS (1.5-1.6L or something... Buger had it figured... just can't remember)
lights: pop up fa sho'

... also, i sincerely don't think that Mazda would ever build a car with perfect balance, then go and put different width tyres on the front and back *rolleyes*... this guy's a dumbass (look at his grammar for goodness' sake), but kudos for doing what he loves. his html ain't that bad... it's just too bad html is so passe.

 

And it's rated "BEST" where very few other cars earn that rating. I'm so excited, the NYIAS is in a few weeks . . . GEEEEZZZZ!!

 

sorry, i just have to quote that whole last paragraph:

"Comparing RX-8 with others is not easy, because it is so unique in all area. It is a full 4-seater coupe, it has sports car performance and handling while it is priced at the same level as super hot hatches. If we compare it with Alfa 147GTA or Golf R32, the Mazda will definitely run away with its superior handling and sophisticated image. If we compare it with BMW 330Ci, it will also beat the German car by handling and impress people by its unusual character and bargain price. Nissan 350Z is faster, but it offers 2 seats only thus is not a direct competitor to RX-8. Maybe the next generation RX-7, if Mazda greenlight it, can rival it. Both Audi TT 225 and V6 are actually 2+2. The 225 is outpaced, outhandled and undercut in price by the Mazda. It’s also an old car, so you can forget it. The TT V6 has a remarkable engine and transmission combo, but it is also a lazy driver’s car. In contrast, Mazda RX-8 is the real driver’s car. Its precision and feel inspires you to drive faster and faster, and eventually reward you with higher level of satisfaction. A new class leader has been born. "



:D :D :D :D

 

Are you SURE? The Spirit R, the ultimate FD, was equiped with 235/45/17s in front and 255/40/17s out back.

 

... i'd then seriously like to known why, and what other changes to the suspension/chassis were made to warrant this... also, the contact patch may be the same, with different pressures run in the front/back... hmmm... interesting to say the least.

 

Well, I won't proclaim to be the world's expert on chassis/suspension set-up, but here is my guess as to why this might be:

To my knowledge, the Spirit R isn't the only FD to be offered with wider tires in the back. I think most of the 280 HP versions are offered this way, while the lower power 265 HP versions come with the same width front and rear. My guess is that the wider tires out back are to minimize power oversteer. If the rear end has more grip, then the car has more ability to accelerate forward while cornering, allowing faster corner exits.

I'll try to do a little more research and see if I can find out if different spring rates/sway bars/tire pressures are used on the cars that come with the wider rear tires. I too, would be interested to see if any of these parameters change on the cars that are offered with the wider rear tires.

 

I did not read the whole piece so cannot comment but the last para posted by zoom44 sounds very positive....unless that is ***** too?

rael.