i've been reading up on wikipedia the history of the RX-7... the last few production models of the RX-7 (spirit-R, etc.) with the sequential twin turbos were estimated to produce 300hp stock!

shows how continuous product development rocks! the engine rotor was essentially the same as those RX-7s produced from 1993, with tweaks and the additional turbochargers.

imagine if mazda does the same with the RX-8's Renesis, tweaking the ECU, injection system, adds a twin-turbocharger, etc. if the Renesis is really a breakthrough and superior design to the RX-7's 13B, then with future RnD, shouldn't we expect similar improvements in performance in future RX-8s?

although some people speculate that the RX-8 is not intended to be a performance car like how mazda intended the RX-7, and thus development might not go along in that same direction. however, the RX-7 was initially not such a focused sportscar as well, with touring editions being released, and it had humble beginnings with a modest NA engine... so who knows what future RX-8s will be.

anyway wikipedia has superb write-ups on cars. i recommend car fans to go have a look-see. the articles on the supra, s2000, mx-5, rx-7 and a few others were extremely detailed and informative.

 

It did not produce 300hp stock, but i could produce it. The japanese car manufacturers "gentlemen agree" at that time was to limit the car's output to 280hp. That is why the skylines,slivias and other japanese cars are stated to have 280hp. 300 could be obtain very easily with an aftermarket intake and exhaust systems.

The RX8 is a performance car but not a true sports car. The real sports car that came from Mazda IMO is the RX7. The RX 7 was a sports car since the first generation. The different editions are just so people can have options to customise their car. Even the porsche had different editions for the 911 ie the clubsport and GT.

Mazda has shown that the Rotary Engine is still a contender. The amount of engineering that went in to the development is really apperient. But the lack of low end torque from it will only be cured by FI or increased displacement (Renesis 20B anyone :P)

 

Hmm...how abt dropping the 26b quad rotor into a mazda car? I'll really make the car in the league of super cars...
anyway, its juz wishful thinking on my part...do not think mazda would create a car with the legendary 787
engine in it..heehee

 

altho the gentlemen's agreement was 280hp, some tests show it being a "conservative declaration" for the last model RX-7. maybe just like how it was a "generous declaration" for the RX-8 before it was revised.

 

Its not a gentlemen's agreement. Its japanese legislation. Its bullshit anyway; the evo is quoted at 280hp but when dyno produces 340hp.

 

It's not BS. It's just that American horses are weaker so it takes 340 of them to make the same power that it takes only 280 Japanese horses to make.

 

...and now under Powertrain, the recall has been referenced:

In August 2006, Mazda announced that a problem with oil metering had led to the engines in many RX-8s having to be replaced. Mazda voluntarily recalled all 2004 and 2005, as well as some 2006 models. All engines that failed a vacuum test would be replaced.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rx8