How about a Rx-8 rally car? A 3 or 4 rotor 4wd drive rx-8 would make a good rally car in my opinon. I dont know a lot about rotary engines but could they be used for rallying?

the car to rally will be the the new 6, it fits in the same class as the others. But a Rx-8 to race in GT against the porsches that will be the proper fit.

I agree, the RX-8 would be a great rally car. Remember there was a very successful 4wd RX-7 rally car from Australia. This car competed successfully against other rally cars. A 3 rotor engine would, of course, offer far more torque than the 2 rotor. Maybe Mazda has something up their sleeves. Also, there is a Protoge Rally car that is being raced. Mazda's back in racing.

No, the Protege is the ideal rally car template. It's already the right size, just need to work on suspension and stuff... it could be a real competitor.. just throw a nice 3 rotor engine in it :rolleyes:

Yes, the Protege is the car that fits the bill for rallying... the 8 is too big...
Skoda's Octavia (no, i don't know the comparative dimensions...) is considered a whale in WRC circles, and i'm telling you, that thing is not that big. the Peugeot 206 WRC (best rally car in the world) is a rinky dinky itty bitty clown sized car that seriously kicks ass... their world champion driver Marcus Grunholm can barely fit into that damn thing... that's the right size: just barely big enough. so, a true four seater is just too big... a subcompact 2+2 fits the bill (room enough for 2, a fatass roll cage, and spare tyres and fire extinguishers, not to mention the itty bitty tool box), so in that regard the Protege maybe a little on the biggish size... like the Ford Focus Rally Car, it's kinda biggish... see what i mean by "just barely" big enough?? RX-8 is too big.

but yes, i could see (if the rules would allow it) the 8 against Porshe Cup cars... well, maybe... it'd have to be a far cry from the production version (obviously)

I thought the Rx-8 would be smaller than a Ford Focus. Does anyone actually have the 8's dimensions?

Originally posted by Mazda man
I thought the Rx-8 would be smaller than a Ford Focus. Does anyone actually have the 8's dimensions?

From the RX-8 FAQ:

Dimensions: 69.7" width, 52.8" height, 174.2" length. Front/rear track is 59.1"/59.5". Wheelbase is 106.3".

Originally posted by wakeech
the Peugeot 206 WRC (best rally car in the world) is a rinky dinky itty bitty clown sized car that seriously kicks ass... their world champion driver Marcus Grunholm can barely fit into that damn thing... that's the right size

Not trying to diminish the great effort made by the Peugeot mechanics, but the 206 is actually undersized for a WRC. The production model was clearly outside the WRC regulations and that is why they fitted those stupid large front and rear bumpers. They bended the rules so as to use the smallest chassis possible. I believe Seat who raced with Cordoba protested since they as well could have used a similar sized car, the Ibiza.
Still the 206 is a great WRC!

Yeah those 206's kick some serious ass on the WRC!

Originally posted by PatrickB


From the RX-8 FAQ:

Dimensions: 69.7" width, 52.8" height, 174.2" length. Front/rear track is 59.1"/59.5". Wheelbase is 106.3".

I just compared that to a few other cars... it's a bit larger than I imagined...

im thinking a rotary powered MX-3 would be the ideal candidate for WRC. Stick 3 rotors in that sucker, give it 4wd and it would win all WRC championships until they start packing jets into rally cars.

I just compared that to a few other cars... it's a bit larger than I imagined... [/B][/QUOTE]

Fits pretty well in the sport sedan range, though looks to sit a bit lower than most, and a little shorter, too. It's also going to cost about $3-8000 less than these cars and weight in at least 300 pounds less, too. What cars were you comparing against?

Mazda RX-8: Length: 174.2 in. Width: 69.7 in. Height: 52.8 in. Wheel Base is 106.3".
BMW 330i: Length: 176.0 in. Width: 68.5 in. Height: 55.7 in. Wheel Base: 107.3 in.
BMW 330ci: Length: 176.7 in. Width: 69.2 in. Height: 53.9 in. Wheel Base: 107.3 in.
Lexus IS300: Length: 176.6 in. Width: 67.9 in. Height: 55.5 in. Wheel Base: 105.1 in.
MBenz C240: Length: 178.3 in. Width: 68.0 in. Height: 55.1 in. Wheel Base: 106.9 in.
Infiniti G35C: Length: 182.2 in. Width: 71.5 in. Height: 54.8 in. Wheel Base: 112.2 in.

Let's see... I already have the BMW, don't like the IS300 and C240, G35 was too large... so none. :P

The RX-8 is much more sport oriented and less luxury oriented I think. Price wise, it is in the same class. Performance wise, should be well above. Luxury wise, should be on the low end. The RX-8 really does kind of defy definition.

Originally posted by PatrickB
I just compared that to a few other cars... it's a bit larger than I imagined...


Fits pretty well in the sport sedan range, though looks to sit a bit lower than most, and a little shorter, too. It's also going to cost about $3-8000 less than these cars and weight in at least 300 pounds less, too. What cars were you comparing against?


Yeah, I suppose so... Since it's the most similar size I've driven recently, I was comparing it to my 1991 Accord... in basic dimentions... and it's surprisingly close... Mind you, I never really realised how sharp that accord was until I drove a few other cars and then went back to it.... not a sportscar by any means, but at 3000lb and 150Bhp it wasn't under powered... and the handling was more than I expected from such a vehicle...

It is larger than i thought:o

Originally posted by Mazda man
It is larger than i thought:o

Depending on who's numbers you believe... it's between 5 and 10 inches shorter and 2 or 3 inches narrower and lower...

It LOOKED MUCH smaller when pulled up next to that Atenza in the video!