According to a news site( NIKKAN JIDOSHA SHIMBUN) in Japan.

Mazda is planning to release some new versions of the RX-8
such as more sports version or luxury version to adapt to various needs of the customers.
The new versions would be released around next April.

wow, that's great, but I would imagine they would probably wait till the summer of 2004 to launch those models as 2005 models.

Just in time too for when my current lease is over!

Originally posted by Yuhki
According to a news site( NIKKAN JIDOSHA SHIMBUN) in Japan.

Mazda is planning to release some new versions of the RX-8
such as more sports version or luxury version to adapt to various needs of the customers.
The new versions would be released around next April.

Hmm....Wonder if I should wait!?!

Did it mention a Mazdaspeed version?

Originally posted by Cam
Did it mention a Mazdaspeed version?

I talked to one of the guys at Mazda R&D at the OC revitup. He said the Mazdaspeed version won't be out for another 3yrs. This sounds reasonable considering the eight is just being released here in the US.

Originally posted by Yuhki
According to a news site( NIKKAN JIDOSHA SHIMBUN) in Japan.

Mazda is planning to release some new versions of the RX-8
such as more sports version or luxury version to adapt to various needs of the customers.
The new versions would be released around next April.

Hey Yuhki, does the site mention if one of these will have a liftback/hatchback? I would be willing to wait another year in order to have the hatch version (don't know if my sanity could hold out that long but I would wait ;) )

Originally posted by mac


Hey Yuhki, does the site mention if one of these will have a liftback/hatchback? I would be willing to wait another year in order to have the hatch version (don't know if my sanity could hold out that long but I would wait ;) )

No detail information yet. And I think that this information is still "palnning". "palnning" is always subject to change.

I have not seen any rumor on the RX-8 hatch yet in Japan.

Originally posted by Yuhki
... I have not seen any rumor on the RX-8 hatch yet in Japan.

Well, here's my request:

Please Mazda give us a fastback/hatchback version!

(I know at least 4 other RX-8 forum members that feel the same way - I hope there's more of us out there)

and please bring back hid-a-way/pop-up headlights too!

:D

...and a wagon version too! Sorry Windy (if you are still around) ;)

Pop up headlights seem to be extinct for safety reasons - I miss them too.

Originally posted by bwayout

Well, here's my request:
Please Mazda give us a fastback/hatchback version!
(I know at least 4 other RX-8 forum members that feel the same way - I hope there's more of us out there)
and please bring back hid-a-way/pop-up headlights too!
:D

What is the interest in the hatchback, increased space? Just curious.

Speaking for myself, I find the extra utility of a hatchback to be invaluable when you only have one vehicle. The extra space provided by folding rear seats and a large opening makes it so I can transport almost anything, with in reason. The RX-8 would be my ideal affordable car if it had a hatchback.

Ditto. I've always owned a hatch or liftback. It makes the trunk space much more functional. For example, the current trunk space of the 8 is actually big enough to hold my suitcases but there is no way to actually put them in because of the opening. The fold down seats also greatly increases the capacity for those odd times you need to haul a big item like a large monitor or beer cooler ;) .

You loose some of the body stiffness but it is only temporary (you don't usually push your car when your hauling stuff). This is a tradeoff but the 8 is all about trade offs.

You both give compelling reasons for a hatchback. There was another recent thread in which someone doctored a photo to show a "hatchback version" of the 8. I noticed that it changed the entire look of the car by having the rear glass extend farther back. It lost its 'sporty" look. Mazda was very deliberate in the design of the look of the car and I could see how they choose not to go with the hatch. They choose look over utility, you are right the 8 seems to make many trade-off's, I think they've done a great job in walking that thin line.

in a way...but in another way its no tradeoffs at all, since its been built fromt he gorund up to be exactly what it is, a 4seater sports car, with a rotary engine
________
Black girl (http://www.fucktube.com/categories/299/girl/videos/1)

Originally posted by brothervoodoo


What is the interest in the hatchback, increased space? Just curious.

Yes, and IMHO a fastback (if done right) looks a little sleeker and sporter ...

Originally posted by Speed Racer
Speaking for myself, I find the extra utility of a hatchback to be invaluable when you only have one vehicle. The extra space provided by folding rear seats and a large opening makes it so I can transport almost anything, with in reason. The RX-8 would be my ideal affordable car if it had a hatchback.

Yes, I'm there with you Speed Racer! ... Plus make it a Fastback and a hatchback!

:D

Originally posted by mac
Ditto. I've always owned a hatch or liftback. It makes the trunk space much more functional. For example, the current trunk space of the 8 is actually big enough to hold my suitcases but there is no way to actually put them in because of the opening. The fold down seats also greatly increases the capacity for those odd times you need to haul a big item like a large monitor or beer cooler ;) .

You loose some of the body stiffness but it is only temporary (you don't usually push your car when your hauling stuff). This is a tradeoff but the 8 is all about trade offs.

True, which makes me miss the RX-Evolve concept much more, It was a fastback, and I believe it had a little move leg room in the cabin area that the RX-8

:confused:

Originally posted by pelucidor
...and a wagon version too! Sorry Windy (if you are still around) ;)

Oh, those were the good old days ..

;)

But hey, to his point, let's not forget the BMW z hatchback ... Not that I'd ever buy one (unless they turn it into a fastback version)

:p :D

Originally posted by brothervoodoo
... There was another recent thread in which someone doctored a photo to show a "hatchback version" of the 8.

Hey, that was me!

http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?threadid=5144

RX-8 Forum > General Topics > RX-8 Discussion > is the 8 consider "Fast back"

:D

Originally posted by brothervoodoo
... I noticed that it changed the entire look of the car by having the rear glass extend farther back. It lost its 'sporty" look. Mazda was very deliberate in the design of the look of the car and I could see how they choose not to go with the hatch.

You are so right - Mazda very much wanted the RX-8 to have a small cabin look and feel!

Personally, I would be more happy with the look and feel of the old 88-93 Probe fastback style! But, that's another story in it's self ...

:(

Originally posted by Yuhki
Mazda is planning to release some new versions of the RX-8
such as more sports version or luxury version to adapt to various needs of the customers.
The new versions would be released around next April.

If I read this correctly, and base on what Mazda has did for the past couple of so called new versions of the MX-5, I think the changes for the 'new versions of RX-8' could be pretty much cosmetic changes. From the launch of a Brand New Car, it doesn't make sense for mazda to do a major re-construction to the RX-8. It just way too much investment to go into before they know wheather the 8 is going to be a profitable project for them just as yet.
It could be special edition colours, special leather, interior accents, suspension tuning... that sorts of versions.
Or I could be wrong...

Originally posted by pelucidor
...and a wagon version too! Sorry Windy (if you are still around) ;)

AUGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! !!!!!!!! (...runs screaming from the room):D :D

Originally posted by brothervoodoo
You both give compelling reasons for a hatchback. There was another recent thread in which someone doctored a photo to show a "hatchback version" of the 8. I noticed that it changed the entire look of the car by having the rear glass extend farther back. It lost its 'sporty" look. Mazda was very deliberate in the design of the look of the car and I could see how they choose not to go with the hatch. They choose look over utility, you are right the 8 seems to make many trade-off's, I think they've done a great job in walking that thin line.

In my opinion I think Mazda created a very sleek almost Italian looking body (Ferrari Maranello comes to mind) that I wouldn't want to change but I still think that they could have made a hatch out of the rear window and trunk lid. I've seen similar designs on some Saabs and even a Chevy Corsica where they do not follow the typical hatchback shape and still look like they have a trunk.

Originally posted by Speed Racer

I still think that they could have made a hatch out of the rear window and trunk lid.

Nope, and the reason they wouldn't do a hatch had nothing to do with style or convenience... Hatchbacks are never as stiff as equivalent coupes, and they're always heavier. Since Mazda wanted the RX-8 to be as stiff and light as possible, any thoughts of a hatchback were thrown out. That's also why the rear seats do not fold down - there's significant chassis bracing in the rear seatback structure.

Regards,
Gordon

Originally posted by Gord96BRG


Nope, and the reason they wouldn't do a hatch had nothing to do with style or convenience... Hatchbacks are never as stiff as equivalent coupes, and they're always heavier. Since Mazda wanted the RX-8 to be as stiff and light as possible, any thoughts of a hatchback were thrown out. That's also why the rear seats do not fold down - there's significant chassis bracing in the rear seatback structure.

Regards,
Gordon

I don't want to be argumentative but the RX-8 is not a feather weight at 3,053 lbs. It is 553 lbs. heavier than my Celica which also happens to be a hatchback.

Could they have made the the RX-8 a notch/hatchback? I'm sure that it is feasible but it would come with pros/cons just like the "Free Style" doors. I think that the RX-8 is full of compromises and most of them I agree with but the car would match my needs better if it was a hatchback.

Interesting observations and lively discussion. Imagine, the idea of the "hatch" would skew the entire engineering blueprint, just consider the option of trying to make an "8" a convertible!!! :eek: Probably would have to throw out the clam shell doors and god knows what else.. just wouldn't be the same car, would it. I guess we can shelve that debate for another couple of years, hopefully the 8 lures the masses with its unique look and layout to inspire further rotary ingenuity and continued aggressive and innovative styling for the 8 and 7.

Originally posted by Speed Racer


I don't want to be argumentative but the RX-8 is not a feather weight at 3,053 lbs. It is 553 lbs. heavier than my Celica which also happens to be a hatchback.

Could they have made the the RX-8 a notch/hatchback? I'm sure that it is feasible but it would come with pros/cons just like the "Free Style" doors. I think that the RX-8 is full of compromises and most of them I agree with but the car would match my needs better if it was a hatchback.

Though I agree that the RX-8 has many neccessary compromises it is ridiculous to compare it's weight to a Celica. The Celica has much less power, an unusable rear seat and is FWD. All of these Celica features lead to quite a bit lower weight.

i think it's damn incredible that it is only 553lbs heavier than a celica.

Originally posted by bwayout
and please bring back hid-a-way/pop-up headlights too!:D

I'm glad they got rid of the pop-up headlights. I've never seen a car where the pop-ups didn't look just plain goofy when they're up... including the RX-7 (and I used to own one).

In fact, why bring back the RX-7 at all? It's just a name or label. Let the RX-7 be what it was (and still is). Don't look back... look ahead... just make a 2 door super sport version of the RX-8.

I think this sketch of what a new RX-7 might look like is the best yet! I love it... despite what some others have said. Except it should not be an RX-7... just an optional version of the 8. Let the RX-7 moniker go... the future is the RX-8!

Originally posted by brothervoodoo
... just consider the option of trying to make an "8" a convertible!!! :eek: Probably would have to throw out the clam shell doors and god knows what else.. just wouldn't be the same car, would it. ...

From what I've head from some Mazda reps and from other sources, here and there - that there are real plans to bring about a RX-8 convertible - frame is supose to be able to handle the transition ...

Originally posted by Speed Racer
RX-8 is not a feather weight at 3,053 lbs. It is 553 lbs. heavier than my Celica which also happens to be a hatchback.

Could they have made the the RX-8 a notch/hatchback? I'm sure that it is feasible but it would come with pros/cons just like the "Free Style" doors. I think that the RX-8 is full of compromises and most of them I agree with but the car would match my needs better if it was a hatchback.

The Celica is also a flexi-flyer when compared to the stiffness of the RX-8 chassis ;) . I agree that a hatchback would be more useful - ideally, I'd prefer if the RX-8 was a hatchback as well. I'd settle for fold-down seats, but those didn't happen either.

It's kind of like the VW Passat - the FWD version of the sedan has a fold-down rear seat, but the 4Motion version has a fixed rear seat. The reason is that for stiffness and side impact requirements, the 4Motion version with it's independent rear suspension (vs. beam axle in the FWD) needed the extra rigidity provided by a stronger fixed rear seatback structure. With the freestyle doors, Mazda needed the rigidity of the fixed rear seatback structure in the RX-8.

If I can't have both, I'll stick with the improved stiffness and associated ride/handling improvements over the extra utility of the hatch space.

Regards,
Gordon

Originally posted by pelucidor
...and a wagon version too! Sorry Windy (if you are still around) ;)


http://rotarynews.com/view.php?id=145


(Q) My readers also would like to know about other body styles of the RX-8, like a convertible, or station wagon?

(Charlie) A station wagon?!?! (I displayed a post and photochopped pictures from RX-8 forum.com, they laugh out loud) No...

The Celica is also a flexi-flyer when compared to the stiffness of the RX-8 chassis

The wife has a '92 Celica convertible, so I can vouch for the above comment.

The structure of the RX-8 is not unlike the S2000, so I suspect a convertible RX-8 in a few years, if all goes well with this launch.