I have obtained the figures below on good authority from an undisclosed source, and I am confident that they are correct:

Standard Power

Top Speed 139
0-62mph 7.2
Insurance Group 15E

High Power

Top Speed 146
0-62mph 6.4
Insurance Group 16E

(Bear in mind the acceleration times are 0-62 (0-100kph), so the true 0-60 may be 0.1 or 0.2 less even) :D

And the Insurance group of 16E is Excellent! (Anyone know what the 'E' means?)

I for one am very happy with these after all the speculation that has gone on over the last few weeks, and with the residuals also looking better I am back on track for my RX-8! :D :D

Discuss..................

ROCKIN' Good News!

That's more like it. I'm amazed that it falls into group 16 though but not complaining. I wonder what kind of revs they dropped the clutch at to get those acceleration figures? Seems fine though. You're a genuine mine of information and no mistake.

I'm pleased with the 0-62 time as I didn't want to move to a slower car than my current motor (0-62 6.8s) and the insurance group of 16 is good news for me too (currently 20!:eek: )

I think the E is the enhanced group which is higher than a standard 16 but I'm not sure where I've heard about this before.

lets put those acceleration times in perspective, on cars all more than k5 (in some cases k10+) more in price and I suppose comparible in terms of what i am looking for in a sports car :

Audi TT 225 hp : 7.0 secs
BMW 330i : 6.5 secs
Honda s2000 : 6.3 secs
Merc CLK 430 : 7.4 secs
Porsche Boxster 2.7 : 6.4 secs


Not bad eh!

Well done Mark!

This is indeed excellent news. I would say that puts the 0-60 time between 6.0 and 6.2 secs.

Added to the fact that the insurance group is lower than I expected and I would say that my faith in the 8 is fully restored.

Shahpor

Any low 6's time is good. Given the US results I'd expect our slighly lower powered cars to do about 6.2-6.4 (0-60) and if this is true then that's fast enough for me.

I can't be bothered looking into chipping it to gain about 0.3 in a 0-60 time, which is about the difference. Prefer my warranty! :)

STU

I would like to point out that there is a helluva difference in 0-62 times from lo-to hi power for a car that has only 18hp difference or so (210 v 228.9), taking into account the fact that the lo-power has a bit of extra torque.

Are they really going to be 0.8 seconds apart??

STU

I think that in order to noticeably affect the 0-60 time, you will need to up the power by more than 10 or 20 BHP. I think you are looking at forced induction to seriously change the 0-60 time.

However, I am more interested in the 0-100MPH time, as I feel this is a far more accurate way of measuring performance.

Depending on where in the rev range the power can be reclaimed by chipping, this may change the 0-100MPH time more noticeably.

Shahpor

yeh - 0-100 time will also be interesting, but I still would like my warranty intact.

If, and I stress if, a dealer will chip it and keep the warranty, then I'll consider it.


stu

Ha ! Welcome back to the unbelievers !

Hurry to these shores my rotary masterpiece....

Serious note - (just to repeat myself)
What a car -
I cannot think of anything to touch it in performance and spec for anywhere near the price.
Unbelieveable !

I would like to point out that there is a helluva difference in 0-62 times from lo-to hi power for a car that has only 18hp difference or so (210 v 228.9), taking into account the fact that the lo-power has a bit of extra torque.

210 is the US/JDM low power rating, ours is 192ps. Therefore there is 39ps difference to the high power which is siginficant enough to account for the 0.8 second difference in 0-62.

Agree that the 0-100 times will be more significant, but we will have to wait until the press reviews for those.

Does anyone know when the TV programmes are going to be reviewing the RX-8?

I have a friend that works for the BBC, I will try and find out if Top Gear will be doing anything soon.

Chris

Great news on this performance figures if accurate. Some of the information now coming out plus the great book has revived my interest in the 8. I am now looking forward to the test drive due in July as my dealer advises.

Cannot beleive that the 8 will be faster to 60 than a boxster or 330i but would seriously enhance its reputation if so.

rael

You'll all be please to know that the "E" means that the RX8 exceeds the security requirement for a car of this type and the group rating has therefore been reduced. (e.g. A group 17 car where the security requirement exceeds Thatcham's minimum standard for that group will be listed as an 16E.)

At last some good news !!!

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I would like to point out that there is a helluva difference in 0-62 times from lo-to hi power for a car that has only 18hp difference or so (210 v 228.9), taking into account the fact that the lo-power has a bit of extra torque.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



210 is the US/JDM low power rating, ours is 192ps. Therefore there is 39ps difference to the high power which is siginficant enough to account for the 0.8 second difference in 0-62.

Agree that the 0-100 times will be more significant, but we will have to wait until the press reviews for those.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Somehow i missed that the UK lo-spec was 192ps.

:o

Probably coz i'm getting the hi-power. :D :D :D

Originally posted by RichardJ
You'll all be please to know that the "E" means that the RX8 exceeds the security requirement for a car of this type and the group rating has therefore been reduced. (e.g. A group 17 car where the security requirement exceeds Thatcham's minimum standard for that group will be listed as an 16E.)

At last some good news !!!

Now that we know the insurance group (or at least we will hopefully get confirmation soon), how long to do you all think before we will be able to get a insurance quote?

For me, insurance could be a problem, so the sooner I know the better.

Shahpor

16E would be AMAZING !

How could it be that low for a car of this performance...?
Good news though !

Other cars classified as 16E are as follows:

BMW 320 CI SPORT CONVERTIBLE
BMW 325 TI SPORT
FORD MONDEO ST 220
HONDA ACCORD TYPE-R
JAGUAR X-TYPE INDIANAPOLIS
LANDROVER RANGE ROVER VOGUE V8
MERCEDES CLK 320 ELEGANCE AUTO
MERCEDES E 320 AVANTGARD AUTO
MERCEDES E 320 AVANTGARDE CDI AUTO
MERCEDES E 320 CLASSIC AUTO
MERCEDES E 320 CLASSIC CDI AUTO
MERCEDES E 320 ELEGANCE AUTO
MERCEDES E 320 ELEGANCE CDI AUTO
MERCEDES S 320 AUTO
MERCEDES S 320 CDI
MERCEDES S 320 CDI AUTO
RENAULT VEL SATIS INITIALE V6 24V
RENAULT VEL SATIS PRIVILEGE V6 24V
TOYOTA CELICA VVT-I T SPORT
VAUXHALL ASTRA 888 COUPE
VAUXHALL ASTRA TURBO CONVERTIBLE
VAUXHALL ASTRA TURBO LINEA ROSA CONVERTIBLE
VAUXHALL VECTRA GSI V6
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTI 25TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION T
VOLVO C70 T CONVERTIBLE
VOLVO C70 T CONVERTIBLE AUTO
VOLVO C70 T GT
VOLVO C70 T GT AUTO
VOLVO C70 T5
VOLVO C70 T5 AUTO
VOLVO S80 T6 EXECUTIVE
VOLVO S80 T6 EXECUTIVE
VOLVO S80 T6 SE
VOLVO S80 T6 SE
VOLVO XC90 S T6
VOLVO XC90 SE T6

Good list RichardJ.

Looks like about the right group. Verry similar to say Volvo c70 (except its cheaper).

C170673, Top Gear showed a trailer of all the "exciting" cars that are coming our way this year, on their first show in the new series. The RX8 was amongst them so there is a good chance Clarkson may have something to say about. Better still, let the Stig out in it.



AnilS.

I will give my friend a call tonight and see what she can find out.

I have asked her about the RX-8 before and she did speak to the Exec Producer, Andy Willman (I think) and in her words "he didn't have a bad thing to say about it"

I am supposed to be going wo watch the filming with her in a couple of weeks so perhaps I may get a chance to ask the big man himself, and see where it fits on his cool / uncool chart?

Chris

I've just emailed Top Gear at top.gear@bbc.co.uk asking them when the programme will air and suggesting Clarkson should put it in the cool section. I just got this quick reply:

"Thanks for your message. If it catches Jeremy's eye we're sure he'll mention it on the programme, and we'll be posting some of the best ones on the Top Gear website."

Maybe if everyone bombards Top Gear with RX8 requests he'll make a special mention! :D

(They didn't say when it will be reviewed though :( )

well if the insurance grp is 16E those cars above come out £800 - £950 ish (part from the merc)

32, 4y ncd L postcode.

Was expecting £1k +

Until the insurance group is "offically announced" , insurance companies wont be able to quote us for it as they dont know of it. It may be a couple of weeks before this happens.

So who is going to phone up Norwich Union (I think) and ask for them to "Quote me Happy" :D - I hate that advert so dont think I will be.

Originally posted by RobDickinson
Good list RichardJ.

Looks like about the right group. Verry similar to say Volvo c70 (except its cheaper).

I wish my Volvo C70 T5 GT was only group 16 but it's always quoted as either 19 or 20.:eek:

Having said that my premium this year (protected fully comp with £150 excess ) was only £418 so if I get close to that with the Mazda I'll be well chuffed.:D

I rang tesco insurance last week and talked to a really helpful chap (surprising I know!!!). He couldn't find it at first but went away to check with his manager. He came back and asked if I was having the 6 speed or the 5 to which I replied the 6.
He then said as long as the car gets a full thatcam cat 1 immob/alarm then the quote would be £875 fully comp.
I currently have a 523se manual insurance group 15E (Ithink) and pay £710 on that so it looks like insurance certainly won't break the bank!!! What with this news and the fuel figures residuals should be strong! HAPPY DAYS

Anyone know if these acceleration figures are with the rediculous 7-8K RPM clutch drop? It would be great if it was with a more reasonable clutch drop.

Still, 6.4 0-62 is great!

what is needed here is BMW's launch control...as found in the M3!

I know, I know, the M3 is twice as expensive, but i reckon it will be difficult to control wheelspin dropping the clutch at 8-9000rpm.

Does the 8 have any anti wheel spin technology at launch? Or is it just when cornering?

but i reckon it will be difficult to control wheelspin dropping the clutch at 8-9000rpm.

It would probably be quite expensive to have a new clutch fitted after a few starts like these as well :)

I think with BMW's launch control you get 3 goes and then your transmission warenty is void?

I'm sure the traction control will stop the wheels spinning :)

Well taking a few cars from that list, I'm getting quotes of between £510 (for a celica) to £600 (for an accord type-R)

Fantastic.

I knew that getting old in commuterville would pay off one day.:D

Completely agree with RichardJ on the 16E meaning.

Interestingly, I have an older model mondeo ST24 - hey no fair guys its the family car for me, the missus, the 3 yr old and the one to be in October.

Thats 16. I insure through Sterling, part of Adrian flux (www.adrianflux.co.uk) and that costs me £560 with £250 excess, with 4 yrs protected NCB, aged 30 with 3 points for an SP50 and an accident just over 3rs ago now (wasn't wghen I last renewed at this price) where my bronze MK2 mx5 collided with a deer in Windsor Great park. Wasn't pretty.