What will the MS RX-8 be powered by?
#1
What will the MS RX-8 be powered by?
I have been thinking about this for a while. There has been alot of speculation, and alot of rumors...but no one really seems to know at this point.
I heard from my "know-it-all" Mazda tech, that the MS RX-8 will be powered by a
3-rotor Renesis. I laughed, and he said "I'm serious." So, of course, we take all we hear with a grain of salt...but i actually thought about it. It seems like a viable idea, and actually it would make alot of sense...others chime in and let me know what you think.
1) The RX-8 was not turbocharged orginally to save on cost. Cheaper than the last RX-7, but with performance in the same ballpark.
2) Adding a 3rd Rotor does not add significantly more weight...does it?
3) The MS 6 is coming with 274hp and 280lb/ft. That is huge. We know that the MS 6 will weigh significantly more than the 8, but 36 more hp and 120 more torque??!! What happened to the RX-8 being the flagship?!
What is the gu-estimate for a NA 3-Rotor Renesis? I have read that it comes to about 350hp + or -, and about could we expect the same % increase in torque...
to about 240lb/ft?
I think that this would be Mazda best course of action, and it would take over the lead(again) of being the most powerful production Mazda...as it should. Personally, I hope it's a 3-Rotor....but, don't we all?
I heard from my "know-it-all" Mazda tech, that the MS RX-8 will be powered by a
3-rotor Renesis. I laughed, and he said "I'm serious." So, of course, we take all we hear with a grain of salt...but i actually thought about it. It seems like a viable idea, and actually it would make alot of sense...others chime in and let me know what you think.
1) The RX-8 was not turbocharged orginally to save on cost. Cheaper than the last RX-7, but with performance in the same ballpark.
2) Adding a 3rd Rotor does not add significantly more weight...does it?
3) The MS 6 is coming with 274hp and 280lb/ft. That is huge. We know that the MS 6 will weigh significantly more than the 8, but 36 more hp and 120 more torque??!! What happened to the RX-8 being the flagship?!
What is the gu-estimate for a NA 3-Rotor Renesis? I have read that it comes to about 350hp + or -, and about could we expect the same % increase in torque...
to about 240lb/ft?
I think that this would be Mazda best course of action, and it would take over the lead(again) of being the most powerful production Mazda...as it should. Personally, I hope it's a 3-Rotor....but, don't we all?
#4
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My guess is boost--most likely supercharger for reliability purposes. However we may see a smaller 2 door or 2 seat RX7 using the same 6-port Renesis with the same 238HP output. Such a car would be lighter and more focused-- with a better power to weight ratio than the RX8 it would have 0-60 times on par or beating the 350Z.
#5
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i heard and read a couple of supercharged rx8s floating around in the LA area by MNAO. So i'm guessing they're going to release to supercharged version. But they might be just fooling around with the rx8 or something. When has the rx8 become the flagship? I always thought the 3 or 6's were their best sellers. I wouldn't hold my breath on the MS rx8 though...
#6
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^now that you mention it, I think they already have the main ingredients available for the next-gen 2 seat rotary car. Use the renesis (obviously), and retro-engineer the Miata chassis (which is pretty much a short-wheelbased version of the 8's), and voila, the *pure* rotary sports car returns, without much new engineering overhead!
#7
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Originally Posted by IZoomZoomI
i heard and read a couple of supercharged rx8s floating around in the LA area by MNAO. So i'm guessing they're going to release to supercharged version. But they might be just fooling around with the rx8 or something. When has the rx8 become the flagship? I always thought the 3 or 6's were their best sellers. I wouldn't hold my breath on the MS rx8 though...
flagship means something sexy and fun that attracts buyer into dealerships so they can buy the bread-n-butter car
#8
RX8 and a Truk....
...as long as Mazda offers the SC to other rx8 owners...even if they (and why wouldn't they?) over-charge to the extreme for the kit.
I'd pay $1000 too much for an SC kit which maintained my warranty.
IF they build it.
I'd pay $1000 too much for an SC kit which maintained my warranty.
IF they build it.
#9
Originally Posted by RotaryIT
1) The RX-8 was not turbocharged orginally to save on cost. Cheaper than the last RX-7, but with performance in the same ballpark.
if they want to avoid forced induction it will have to be a 3 rotor, however i dont really see this happening, becuase if you think of it compared to a piston engine that would mean it would be the equivilent of a V-8/10 give or take a piston.
i have a few friends that work at mazda saying the rumors are flying around the area of a supercharger, or small single turbine. id rather not guess, and just wait and see.
#10
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1. one of the main reasons for not turbo charging was emissions related.
3.RX* is still the flagship as the MS6 is still slower:D
there are more issues than i can point out in this post as to why a 3 rotor renesis doesnt make sense. but it really doesnt.look for future power increases to come from increasing displacement of the 2 rotor(1.5l) and supercharging. oh and probably a mr. fusion
3.RX* is still the flagship as the MS6 is still slower:D
there are more issues than i can point out in this post as to why a 3 rotor renesis doesnt make sense. but it really doesnt.look for future power increases to come from increasing displacement of the 2 rotor(1.5l) and supercharging. oh and probably a mr. fusion
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Most think the MS RX-8 will be FI with either a turbo or supercharger. Given that the Renegade RX-8 MS prototype (or whatever you want to call it) from R&T's SPEED mag of last year was supercharged, I'm guessing the real USDM MS RX-8 maybe sc-ed also.
However, I've also read that Mazda is working on a 2 rotor NA 16b that's capable of close to 300hp. That engine has been mentioned in the same whispers about a potential 4th gen RX-7. If it's true, the 2 rotor 16b maybe what ends up in the MS RX-8 as well.
A 1.6 2 rotor wouldn't be that much heavier than the current 1.3, and would certainly be less than a 3 rotor.
However, I've also read that Mazda is working on a 2 rotor NA 16b that's capable of close to 300hp. That engine has been mentioned in the same whispers about a potential 4th gen RX-7. If it's true, the 2 rotor 16b maybe what ends up in the MS RX-8 as well.
A 1.6 2 rotor wouldn't be that much heavier than the current 1.3, and would certainly be less than a 3 rotor.
#13
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I'm gonna guess turbo.
And I don't think the fuel economy of a 3-rotor would be all that bad though, as far as EPA numbers go. It's the same reason why a lot of cars with huge V-8's get decent fuel economy -- with a bigger torqier engine, you can just spend more time in a higher gear at a lower RPM. 6th gear could be really, really tall.
However, once you really get on it, of course the economy numbers will drop pretty hard, but that's no different from *any* fast car, be it V-8, turbo, rotary, or some combination of those.
And I don't think the fuel economy of a 3-rotor would be all that bad though, as far as EPA numbers go. It's the same reason why a lot of cars with huge V-8's get decent fuel economy -- with a bigger torqier engine, you can just spend more time in a higher gear at a lower RPM. 6th gear could be really, really tall.
However, once you really get on it, of course the economy numbers will drop pretty hard, but that's no different from *any* fast car, be it V-8, turbo, rotary, or some combination of those.
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Kleggspeed...
The idea of Mazda adapting R. Paul's axial flow would be great. Just make the car more unique than it already is.
I'm putting my bets on a twin-screw application.
The idea of Mazda adapting R. Paul's axial flow would be great. Just make the car more unique than it already is.
I'm putting my bets on a twin-screw application.
#15
2010 Prius - Miss the 8
I put my money on Supercharged. I saw a test version on the freeway near Mazda US HQ... a red RX-8 was pacing a Yellow with a huge hood scoop thing. Did not sound like our regular Rotary, and it wasn't a turbo sound either. I've seen the car only once, but you would think if they are focusing on this version for the RX-8, it's a good likelihood that the MS version will be SC.
Another thing to consider is that WHEN the MS version comes out, it will have other spiffy things besides just bodykit,sway bars, exhaust..etc. For the US market, I can see the SC version.. pushing the cost to about 40-45k range. This would put it back up to the RX-7 FD level cost-wise. With current economics, that isn't too expensive still.
Another thing to consider is that WHEN the MS version comes out, it will have other spiffy things besides just bodykit,sway bars, exhaust..etc. For the US market, I can see the SC version.. pushing the cost to about 40-45k range. This would put it back up to the RX-7 FD level cost-wise. With current economics, that isn't too expensive still.
#16
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Why not a hybrid rotory? It would give the 8 better gas milage more torque and horsepower.
Here's a link regarding the possible 2006 RX7
http://www.rx7city.com/2006rx7.htm
Here's a link regarding the possible 2006 RX7
http://www.rx7city.com/2006rx7.htm
#17
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Originally Posted by Outlaws eXtreme
For the US market, I can see the SC version.. pushing the cost to about 40-45k range. This would put it back up to the RX-7 FD level cost-wise. With current economics, that isn't too expensive still.
I'm guessing the price will be consistent with what Mazda has done so far for all their Mazdaspeed-badged cars, which means a margin of $2-3000 over the base price of the top trim model of the regular car.
for the RX-8, the base MSRP for a GT pkg (not counting additional options) is what, 31k? So base on that number, I'm betting that the MS RX-8, when it comes out, will start at a price BELOW $35000 (a VERY reasonable price for both the seller and buyer)
#18
RX8 and a Truk....
Originally Posted by Roaddemon
Why not a hybrid rotory? It would give the 8 better gas milage more torque and horsepower.
Here's a link regarding the possible 2006 RX7
http://www.rx7city.com/2006rx7.htm
Here's a link regarding the possible 2006 RX7
http://www.rx7city.com/2006rx7.htm
Mazda plans on output of around 300hp in the normally aspirated form
Translation: Expect about 250hp.
#19
2010 Prius - Miss the 8
Originally Posted by ZoomZoomH
that's too expensive even for a top-of-line sportscar, especially if it doesn't have an 'L', three-pointed star, or a propeller badge on the hood.
I'm guessing the price will be consistent with what Mazda has done so far for all their Mazdaspeed-badged cars, which means a margin of $2-3000 over the base price of the top trim model of the regular car.
for the RX-8, the base MSRP for a GT pkg (not counting additional options) is what, 31k? So base on that number, I'm betting that the MS RX-8, when it comes out, will start at a price BELOW $35000 (a VERY reasonable price for both the seller and buyer)
I'm guessing the price will be consistent with what Mazda has done so far for all their Mazdaspeed-badged cars, which means a margin of $2-3000 over the base price of the top trim model of the regular car.
for the RX-8, the base MSRP for a GT pkg (not counting additional options) is what, 31k? So base on that number, I'm betting that the MS RX-8, when it comes out, will start at a price BELOW $35000 (a VERY reasonable price for both the seller and buyer)
Or they could simply cut that cost down by not offering it in Leather, have no homelink, etc etc.. using the Base model as the basis of the MS. But since it is in the US, the more the better, I'm sure it will be the ultra everything package.
#20
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Originally Posted by Outlaws eXtreme
But if it does get Supercharged/Turboed... It will push it even higher... add another 3-4k on top of all that. + Additional MS stuff like the exhaust, swaybars, etc etc etc...
Or they could simply cut that cost down by not offering it in Leather, have no homelink, etc etc.. using the Base model as the basis of the MS. But since it is in the US, the more the better, I'm sure it will be the ultra everything package.
Or they could simply cut that cost down by not offering it in Leather, have no homelink, etc etc.. using the Base model as the basis of the MS. But since it is in the US, the more the better, I'm sure it will be the ultra everything package.
after the initial R&D cost (which is already done for the suspension and all the auxiliary parts that'll probably come with the MS RX-8), the actual fabrication and installation cost of the extra parts (esp the forced induction pieces) is A LOT lower than what a similar aftermarket kit would cost you (in addition to the car itself of course).
so a $3000 *total* margin for all the MS-upgraded parts is definitely feasible (and probably a little profitable too). They did it for Mazdaspeed Protege, Mazdaspeed Miata (which actually MSRP's LESS than the highest-end normal Miata!), and the upcoming Mazdaspeed 6 (which comes in a just below $30k, and this is with addition of AWD on top of turbo!)
plus it's good marketing to price a car under 35k, people like to round numbers in 5's :D
#21
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If it were 40-45K, as someone suggested, it better be on par with performance of a C6 vette. Otherwise, it won't capture any market except from die hard rotary fans. Going to need much more than 300bhp to get that done.
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The FD's reliability wasn't the cause of the sales--it was a weak dollar, high insurance, and lack of practicality--the same reason 3000GT, Supra, and 300ZX were discontinued.
#25
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Originally Posted by Red Devil
Kleggspeed...
:D :D
on a side note- it will also have a true clutchlesas manual ala smg option and NO auto option