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I was sitting in a waiting room yesterday and spotted a copy of the June edition of 'Motor' magazine (australian). Anyway they had a small article saying there was a possible up-spec rx-8 to be released about 1 year after the 13b rx-8. The article quoted Phil Martens as saying 'I would expect at least 360 (HP) from it' and said it expected the motor to be a 3 rotor.
I later went 2 buy the mag and scan it but the July edn is out now so it would have to be back ordered.
Now I have no idea where their quote is from or how fanciful it is, but if it's true I'll wait for a 20b version thanks very much
-pete
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Mazda will probably keep quiet about any possible higher performace models until well after the RX-8 is released. I'm sure they want people to go ahead and buy the model that they are selling now, not wait for something else. They will wait for the initial buzz about the car to wear off to where the dealers aren't slapping huge mark up on them anymore. Then they will announce the 3 rotor version or a turbo or whatever (hopefully both) to get the attention of the consumers and the media again.
It's pretty smart of them to do that really. I probably would have bought a Subaru WRX by now if I didn't know the STI was going to be brought over here. Now it may have cost them, cause I might end up with a Mazda.:D
De RX-8 comes with the 250hp engine. And here in Europe also with a 192hp engine. And there are some rumours that there will be a 350hp. RX-8 MPS will be the name for it. And that same engine comes into the new RX-7. That will be a normal two-seater
Just like the Mazda 6 (you know it as Atenza) MPS. That one has the normal 2.3L engine (with normally 166hp) only then with a Turbo on it, and it will be pushed to 275hp. Thát's good news Cause the 3.0 V6 had 218hp, so that's really cool!
I really do hope that there is a 3 rotor version some day. I prefer NA over turbo and was hoping that there would be an naturally aspirated RX8 that would be made to compete with the likes of the E46 M3 in the sports sedan market. Granted, the 'coming-soon' RX8 will probably be nice, but I really was hoping for more power.
for 100 extra hp, it might be worth the wait for the 350hp,( if it's only a one year wait ) of course the cost might be much higher though. Any guestimates on how much extra it might cost?
I would wait anyway since I am still sticking to my guns about never buying a car in it's first year. But for others, it would be kinda hard to wait just because there 3 rotor is still just a rumor. You could be waiting forever. I've been waiting for a rotary Miata for years now.:D
I think a three rotor RX-8 is very unlikely. Why did they never put it in the RX-7? The size and weight change the engine bay layout and handling characteristics a lot. Here is an excerpt from a Car & Driver where Peter Farrell describes putting a 20B into the 3rd gen.
To accommodate the bigger, heavier (by 130 pounds) engine, Farrell had to relocate the transmission about five inches rearward, shorten the driveshaft, and fabricate a custom front subframe — all to avoid relocating the steering rack. "It makes the car pretty squirrelly if you move the rack," Says Farrell.
I for one would be very... umm... disgusted with Mazda if they pulled a 20B RX-8 out of the hat after I bought the 13B version.
I hope they have the good taste to release it as a surprise at the same time as the 13B version if they do it at all. Punishing the enthusiast that buys the first year model (i.e. me and several others here) by holding out on the bigger engine would be a slap in the face to us.
__________________ Jim Linnihan...................................
I would have to agree with NOTA V6. I would be PISSED if Mazda releases a 3 rotor or Turbo Renensis after I buy my N/A version. A very small part of Mazda's strategy is to get the Auto enthusiasts to promote the RX-8. One is to buy it when it first comes out, and of course talk about it to everyone everyday. I'm sure 90% (if not EVERYONE) of the readers are auto enthusiasts and are willing to buy the RX-8 within 6 months of its release. But after reading the Mazdaspeed Q&A you can gather that a Performance model RX-8 will be released sometime soon. Now that we all know this information I'm sure many of you will wait. I am. If we do, who will be the 1st ones to buy the RX-8? A few people, but it will weaken Mazda's Strategy to have the Auto Enthusiasts help spread the word. Hopefully Mazda is reading this, and they have something for us. I believe they should reward those 1st time buyers for testing the waters and spreading the word. I hope a Mazdaspeed version of the Rx-8 is available on the release date. If not I hope that Mazdaspeed will at least offer bolt on parts. I just hate to install it at a dealer. Otherwise, I might just go to Petit Racing here in Florida.
I found the Mazdaspeed Q&A on the Mazda USA Website. Go to the Mazdaspeed link under the vehicles menu.
the Q&A of interest is as follows:
Q. Will other Mazda vehicles receive the MAZDASPEED badging (RX-8, MAZDA6, Protegé5)?
A. Although we can’t comment on future products, we would like to think that MAZDASPEED will have a home with many of our platform vehicles. We currently have some concepts we will be showing in the future and at that time we will address the product.
Mazda most certainly wouldn't release the higher power version at the same time as the regular model launch. All automakers do things like freshen styling, or add horsepower and such a few years down the line when the car sales need a little shot in the arm. Makes sense to me.
I wouldn't hold out. Like he said you'd be waiting forever for something that might never come. As it stands, it already looks like there will be two versions. The top 250hp motor and the detuned 200-210hp version.
Well, I don't expect that they will never upgrade the RX-8 from the initial model offered.
First upgrade for the 1st gen RX-7 was in '81, in the 3rd year of production. First upgrade for the 2nd gen RX-7 was in '89 in the fourth year of production. First upgrade for the 3rd gen RX-7 was in '94 in the second year of production (which reflects IMO how rushed the FD was to get it to market that they had to upgrade the R model to appease customer complaints).
I will be angry with Mazda if I get one of the first models, and they come out with the Mazdaspeed 3 rotor or turbo 6 months afterwards to boost sales and spit in my face for being there in the beginning and waiting for YEARS.
If they wait 3 years for an upgrade past the model that is initially offered, the enthusiast (me) may be appeased by the warranty running out and aftermarket hop-ups being available. The enthusiast (me) would be even happier if they offered factory hop-ups that are covered by (or at least don't void) the warranty, ala BMW.
The idea of a three rotor is enticing, but I have heard that a 20B is about 7 inches longer than a 13. Part of the reason why I love rotaries is because their compact size allows for exceptional handling characteristics. Based on what Mazda has done with the 7's, I expect to see a turbo instead...but that is just my personal thought.
I will buy a two rotor NA partly because the aftermarket in America, such as Peter Farrell, Petit, M2 etc...will offer better turbo and intercooler kits than anything the factory will give us anyway. Although as pointed out by NOTA V6, the idea of voiding a factory warranty is troublesome.
Cause the 3.0 V6 had 218hp, so that's really cool!
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