Cooper47

Sounds interesting....From what I have heard. But what do I know

Actually, I'm kind of suprised they're keeping it around with the lack luster sales and high fuel prices but it will be a great to see an updated RX8.

And yes, I know this should go in a different forum so maybe I'll make this post relavent by asking "Do you think the 09 RX8 will stay in BS". I hear there will be more power but that's yet to be seen.....

Stuart

chiketkd

iTrader: (5)

To add some 'meat' to your thread, here's a story from Autoweek about the 2009 RX-8:

http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dl.../71212001/1065

mwood

If it really does have "improved acceleration, handling...", wouldn't it be likely that SEB would stick it into AS, initially, so as not to upset the status quo in BS?

The class seems strong and lots more people are discovering the great bang for the buck/practicality of the '8 for autocross, which should just lead to more participation in BS...I wouldn't think you'd want to screw that up...of course, looking at how the rally cars have been treated, I guess expecting a pragmatic response to the new '8 is questionable...

Cooper47

I wouldn't be suprised to see the 16X Rotary debut in the 2009 RX8....

mwood

^what's that? 1.6L instead of 1.3L? So, 112 ft-lbs to the rear wheels, instead of 103?

Cooper47

Sounds like somebody needs a knuckle dragging V8, solid rear axle and about 800extra pounds to make them happy ....Really, this is stolen from another thread but it compares to what I have heard or not heard....

"Power numbers for the 16X will be somewhere around 270-280hp and 190 ft lbs of torque or so."

Cito

Its apparently not only a new displacement but also a new design. Sounds interesting, but when is that new Camaro coming out again?

chiketkd

iTrader: (5)

It could actually have good reason to end up in BS. Why? If CS is getting as close to BS as Rick's latest PAX numbers indicate, maybe BS needs to speed up some more. This faster BS could allow some uncompetitive cars in AS to move down - like the 1st gen 201hp Porsche Boxster (non S).

Just a thought...

mwood

And...a very intelligent thought

If that were the case, I guess you could move the current RX8 into CS, since you're already breaking up the Boxster line, what's one more?...sure, you'd have two Mazdas with somewhat different missions in life in the class, but, the whole idea of "similar cars" doesn't seem to be very important in many of the recent classing decisions, so what the heck...interesting...

clyde

When has ANYTHING seemed to be very important in any classing decision other than the whim of the current make up of the SEB? It's all pragmatic and in the context of the moment.

Regardless, we don't know what the differences are going to be just yet. Maybe the differences will be big enough that most everyone agrees on the 09 being an AS car. Maybe they'll be so slight that everyone agrees it should stay in BS. Maybe it will be different enough that reasonable people disagree.

Until we know, though...what do we know?

fastmike

Yeah....U BS guys need to speed up or design all the courses so you stay up above 50mph's on courses so us loser CS guys don't make you look so bad.
LOL!
Just kidding.
This new 8 might be something worth getting.
FM

imput1234

iTrader: (6)

I wonder what that front bumper looks like

Cito

It looks like Lightning McQueen with a smile on his face.

Tangential thoughts:

To stay a viable player in the class (not autocross class, class of cars in general), the RX8 has to increase horsepower and, perhaps more important, torque. In addition, improving fuel economy would be nice. Getting crappy mileage in a performance car is understandable, but its tough to take in a car that is so gutless on the street. Hopefully the 1.6 will address the gutlessness and/or the fuel economy.

I believe the increase in torque will make a difference in stock class autocross competition especially if the suspension setup is similar. An increase in wheel width but not diameter would be pretty cool as well.

As much as the rotary purists hate the idea, I think that an rx8 with the 3.7 V6 would be an excellent car. You might lose some in handling, but it would be faster and, with appropriate gearing, get much better gas mileage. That said, I have to respect Mazda's devotion to both the rotary and building affordable cars that handle so well.