OFFICIAL 2009 Rx8 info!!!! Info Sheet, Order Form, Spec Deck and Colors INSIDE!!!
03-25-2008, 01:45 PM
#76
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A few interesting things:
Our R3 is only available with the 19" wheels. Considering the US market, I expected that. The big 12.7" discs are now standard on all models. From the sheet, it looks like the ATs are getting 18" wheels standard as well as the same suspension setup. This probably made sense as it eliminates a couple manufacturing SKUs that are not very popular anyway. The EPA mileage stays the same for those with fears of mileage dropping with the 4.777. Finally, the length grows by a little more than an inch.
Our R3 is only available with the 19" wheels. Considering the US market, I expected that. The big 12.7" discs are now standard on all models. From the sheet, it looks like the ATs are getting 18" wheels standard as well as the same suspension setup. This probably made sense as it eliminates a couple manufacturing SKUs that are not very popular anyway. The EPA mileage stays the same for those with fears of mileage dropping with the 4.777. Finally, the length grows by a little more than an inch.
03-28-2008, 11:51 AM
#81
Administrator
hmmm... i wonder if this version has the redesigned rear bumper to meet the new European regs? there was all this talk about how the chassis for the RX8 and MX-5 had to be redone for 2010 or 2011 to meet that reg. that could account for some of the styling change of the rear.
if not we'll see another version in 2 years
if not we'll see another version in 2 years
03-28-2008, 12:45 PM
#82
Huge hole is huge
hmmm... i wonder if this version has the redesigned rear bumper to meet the new European regs? there was all this talk about how the chassis for the RX8 and MX-5 had to be redone for 2010 or 2011 to meet that reg. that could account for some of the styling change of the rear.
if not we'll see another version in 2 years
if not we'll see another version in 2 years
03-28-2008, 01:28 PM
#83
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Hi,
Long time lurker, first time poster.
I know I am coming late to the party, but I just plugged the numbers on GearCalc, and compared the '08 and '09 models. I am posting some numbers here for those interested. I think these are easier to understand than previous posts.
Basically the only difference is that the '09 gets slightly shortened gearing. You will still be doing ~4K rpm @ 80 mph (3,879rpm on the 08 vs 3,893rpm on the 09 ), so don't break up your relationship with your gas attendant just yet.
2008
Gear Mph per 1000 RPM
------------------------------
1 -------- 4.62
2 -------- 7.66
3 -------- 10.57
4 -------- 14.65
5 -------- 17.39
6 -------- 20.62
2009
Gear Mph per 1000 RPM
-------------------------------
1 -------- 4.24
2 -------- 7.16
3 -------- 10.53
4 -------- 13.74
5 -------- 16.17
6 -------- 20.55
Regards,
R
Long time lurker, first time poster.
I know I am coming late to the party, but I just plugged the numbers on GearCalc, and compared the '08 and '09 models. I am posting some numbers here for those interested. I think these are easier to understand than previous posts.
Basically the only difference is that the '09 gets slightly shortened gearing. You will still be doing ~4K rpm @ 80 mph (3,879rpm on the 08 vs 3,893rpm on the 09 ), so don't break up your relationship with your gas attendant just yet.
2008
Gear Mph per 1000 RPM
------------------------------
1 -------- 4.62
2 -------- 7.66
3 -------- 10.57
4 -------- 14.65
5 -------- 17.39
6 -------- 20.62
2009
Gear Mph per 1000 RPM
-------------------------------
1 -------- 4.24
2 -------- 7.16
3 -------- 10.53
4 -------- 13.74
5 -------- 16.17
6 -------- 20.55
Regards,
R
03-30-2008, 10:29 PM
#85
Administrator
On the Euro regs front: I did some Google searching and couldn't find the exact quotes i was looking for. haven't had time to do a more thorough search. i did shoot an email off to a friend at Mazda who is looking into it.
03-31-2008, 07:21 AM
#86
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Ooh, looks like the R3 is only about a grand more than the 6-spd GT! That sounds like quite a deal considering the bigger rims, upgraded suspension, and different body kit.
Also, if I'm interpreting the vehicle order form correctly, it looks like you can not get the moonroof on the R3. Which is fine with me since I hate moonroofs, but other folks might care.
04-01-2008, 05:13 PM
#87
Administrator
http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dl...7/1024/podcast
MX-5 Miata: A race package arrives this fall, but racers must wait until mid-2008 for a MazdaSpeed edition. The MazdaSpeed version's 2.3-liter turbo loses some horsepower in packaging the intercooler and larger radiator. A redesign is planned for the 2010 model year when the car must comply with new 2011 rear-offset collision standards.
04-01-2008, 08:26 PM
#88
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It was an interesting experience. There was not even a hint of the 2009 being on the horizon for these people. Then again it was in K-zoo.
04-16-2008, 07:10 AM
#89
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I drove the new RS version at my local dealership here in Japan, and i now really want one! The front makes the car look alot more aggressive, and was probably influenced by the mass of headlight brows that after market companies are currently selling for the current model rx8s. I think the new front looks alot tougher. The seats were great too!
04-17-2008, 10:51 AM
#91
Weren't these numbers always just "recommended". It appears as though they may be a requirement now. Hmmm...glad thats what I'm using.
As for the no moon-roof option on the R3...rock on...leaving that option out must reduce unnecessary weight and allows the taller 8 owners to fit more comfortably.
04-28-2008, 02:52 AM
#92
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just wondering but isnt the 2nd gen rx8 planned for 2010/11?
i dont know much about marketing but with so many new changes does this mean we shouldnt expect the 2nd gen for some time or is this how its supposed to be?
i dont know much about marketing but with so many new changes does this mean we shouldnt expect the 2nd gen for some time or is this how its supposed to be?
05-04-2008, 12:56 PM
#94
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What is GVWR lbs?
Why did they unbalance the car from it's 50/50 weight set up?
And last but certainly not least... Anyone know why they didn't bother trying to make the car lighter?
Why did they unbalance the car from it's 50/50 weight set up?
And last but certainly not least... Anyone know why they didn't bother trying to make the car lighter?
05-12-2008, 11:57 AM
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Is the end of May set in stone for 09s arriving on dealer lots? I talked to the internet sales manager I know at my local Mazda dealership and he said they show no new RX-8s coming in anytime soon. He knew about the upcoming changes but had heard nothing about when they'd be arriving.
05-13-2008, 10:11 AM
#97
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Is the end of May set in stone for 09s arriving on dealer lots? I talked to the internet sales manager I know at my local Mazda dealership and he said they show no new RX-8s coming in anytime soon. He knew about the upcoming changes but had heard nothing about when they'd be arriving.
05-13-2008, 10:47 AM
#99
I can't read Japanese, but I can tell you what to expect with a split driveshaft.
Engine motion due to elastic mounts create driveshaft vibration. The faster the drivetrain is rotating the more the vibration due in part to the rotating inertia. You may net feel that vibration so much but its transmitted all the way to the contact patches on the tires to the ground. Splitting the driveshaft enhances high speed stability in turns. Thats one reason the Torque Tube setups with rear transaxles tend to have superior stability at high speeds. BMW figured that out a long time ago and have been using split driveshafts since the 60's.
The drawback is slight increase to rotating weight along with packaging constraints. Usually the center bearing rides in a rubber web that needs some distance from hot exhaust parts.
Mazda tends to maximize RX8 handling down to the last drop available without compomising the ride. I was kind of surprised they didn't do this from the 2004 model but it handled so well as it was.
You won't really feel a difference below about 50-60 MPH. Above 100 MPH you will.
Engine motion due to elastic mounts create driveshaft vibration. The faster the drivetrain is rotating the more the vibration due in part to the rotating inertia. You may net feel that vibration so much but its transmitted all the way to the contact patches on the tires to the ground. Splitting the driveshaft enhances high speed stability in turns. Thats one reason the Torque Tube setups with rear transaxles tend to have superior stability at high speeds. BMW figured that out a long time ago and have been using split driveshafts since the 60's.
The drawback is slight increase to rotating weight along with packaging constraints. Usually the center bearing rides in a rubber web that needs some distance from hot exhaust parts.
Mazda tends to maximize RX8 handling down to the last drop available without compomising the ride. I was kind of surprised they didn't do this from the 2004 model but it handled so well as it was.
You won't really feel a difference below about 50-60 MPH. Above 100 MPH you will.
Its pretty much what kartweb said.
05-13-2008, 11:20 AM
#100
Administrator
Is the end of May set in stone for 09s arriving on dealer lots? I talked to the internet sales manager I know at my local Mazda dealership and he said they show no new RX-8s coming in anytime soon. He knew about the upcoming changes but had heard nothing about when they'd be arriving.
all i can tell you is that i have seen the ordering done at a dealership here and they are expecting them in the next 2 weeks. why those people at the dealerships near you dont know they have an allocation order in i couldn't tell you.
maybe they dont have the access necessary to look it up or maybe they are incompetent or maybe they are just saying that because they are hoping you will pick something they already have on the lot.
