Go48

Interesting tidbit in the latest issue of GRM.

Quote: Perhaps rumors of the Mazda RX-8s demise have been a bit premature. According to Jeremy Barnes, Mazda director of communications and national events, there will be an RX-8 for the 2011 model year. As far as plans for the model’s end or a replacement, however, he couldn’t comment. He did add that development work continues on the 16X, the brand’s next generation of rotary engine, as well as the hydrogen-fueled rotary. “The rotary is not going away”, he states.

Roidz

Awesome...that's good news.

CrazyJek

feelings of relief. Although i knew the next rotary wasnt going to be dropped... Mazda put too much into R&D already.

Earl the Pearl

That is good news. Motor Trend may is one of those magazines stating the demise of the RX8 in 2011.

Go48

I think the general belief is that 2011 will be the last model year for the RX-8. And all the quote says is that there will be a MY2011 car. Perhaps that what Motor Trend is implying.

The encouraging thing about the quote, to me at least, is that Mazda is continuing to develop the rotary engine and apparently their intention is to produce a new vehicle with a rotary engine in the future. Whether they do or not, and whether or not there will be a USD model, will no doubt depend on a number of considerations, not the least of which is the upcoming changes in the US emissions and fuel mileage requirements.

Eish

Hybrid Audi A1 will have a Wankel engine recharging the batteries. So, rotary not really dead. But RX8, I think it is dead.

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

Mazda Japan has said that the rotary engine is the soul of the company. They will do everything in their power to have one in a car. That car may not be sold in the NA market, but it will exist.
As for when the RX8 or the next RX vehicle will be made, only Mazda knows and they aren't talking.

mike1161

I sent an email to Mazda's Product Communications group out in Irvine, asking about the 2011 MY RX8, since usually by mid-spring of each year Mazda has already started production of the next MY RX8, and this year, so far, nothing. But, the good news is that it looks like there will be a MY 2011 RX8, unchanged from 2010. Below is what they replied:

Thanks for your interest. You can find the latest information on the RX-8 by visiting our consumer Web site at www.mazdaUSA.com. But, to answer your question, yes, the RX-8 is still being produced for 2011. I have provided information below. This is the information we have shared with working journalists.

RX-8
Launched in 2003, the Mazda RX-8 hit the global market with a serious bang. The RX-8 has won 48 global vehicle awards since its release including 2003 Japanese Car of the Year, Australia's Wheels magazine's Car of the Year for 2003, 2003 International Engine of the Year, 2004 Singapore Car of the Year, the 2004 U.S. Best Sports Car and UK Car of the Year 2004. It was also named on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 2004, 2005, and 2006. In addition, the RENESIS Rotary Engine has won nine awards since 2003. All together, Mazda has sold nearly 182,000 RX-8s around the world.

Significantly updated for 2009 with a refreshed exterior and interior design, enhanced performance and an R3 model for the ultimate driving enthusiast and refined for 2010, RX-8 remains unchanged for 2011. RX-8 is available with two trim levels – Sport and Grand Touring – and the R3 model, specially designed with the enthusiast in mind. At the core of the RX-8 remains a high-powered, lightweight and perfectly balanced machine powered by the world-renowned twin-rotor RENESIS rotary engine.

*

Spin9k

In the "More Good news" dept, I was reading that Mazda says the next rotary was not to appear before 2013 and then only be available in Asia, no NA car apparently.

Detrich

not to sound sarcastic... but htf does that equate to being more good news?

sigh

Spin9k

I was being sarcastic..

DocBeech

iTrader: (1)

as long as it has a cross member in the door, and an airbag so we can import it.... I had such a hard time trying to get a Defender 90 simply over a stupid airbag... Vehicles arent even required to have them... only to be sold with them... if you remove the airbag yourself after you buy it they dont care... argh so frustrating...