Sue Esponte

Any rumors about the RX8 getting AWD any time in the future?

-Eric

Gord96BRG

Nope. The RX-8 will remain RWD for it's foreseeable future.

(Now, ask about the Mazda6! )

Regards,
Gordon

BasenjiGuy

Why give the car AWD?! What makes it so much fun is its near-neutral handling balance and the ease at which the car can be throttle-steered. Giving the RX-8 AWD would like castrating the car!

AvitalBlue8

Would be pretty neat seeing how they would make it awd considering how far back and low the engine sits when compared to other cars let alone awd cars and their robust/complicated awd trannies....and the weight /yuck. You would also loose more HP through drive train. I'm quite happy with my RWD makes turns quite intersting.

moRotorMotor

Are you suggesting....? NO can't be... Are you saying that the 6 is getting AWD?!

DreRX8

Yeah the concept Mazdaspeed 6 was 280HP AWD.

2QT2bSTR8

AWD?

You do realize the engine makes barely enough torque to run just the rear wheels, right?

Gord96BRG

Actually - it's already got it (which is why it's relatively easy for a MazdaSpeed Mazda6 version to have AWD). In Europe, you can buy right now a Mazda6 Estate 2.3 AWD (estate is what the UK calls a wagon). Check out www.mazda.co.uk to see it.

Regards,
Gordon

m477

Hey, that's pretty cool. As usual, Gordon is right on top of things! Has there been any info about how development is going with turboing the new 4-cyl engine for the Mazdaspeed 6? Are they planning on using the 2.3?

rotarygod

I wonder what a 3 rotor supercharged awd Mazda 6 would be like? That would be a cool project.

zoom44

DAMN I HAD NO IDEA THEY HAD AWD ON THE 6 ANYWHERE YET! damn caps lock! whats with selling everything Mazda6 there first instead of here. or at least at the same time. they have got to get the NA plant up to speed!!

and rotarygod i do like the way you think. that sounds awesome. i know where there is a JC Cosmo 20b still in its original factory crate. it would take alot of cash to get it from the owner tho.

zoom44

sorry this is hi-jacking the thread even furthur but in the spec list it has- Auto leveling suspension- that's pretty sweet along with everything else for the price. i gotta figure out how to save some extra cash or win some by the time this hits the states in either the wagon or hatch version.

zoom44

bump

BasenjiGuy

Yawn! Why are so many people so obsessed with ADDING stuff to a design? The classic definition of a sports car is a low slung two door car with nothing on it that doesn't make it go faster.

It's ultimately what the car doesn't have that makes it so great: like extra weight, driven front wheels that would sap power and mileage, and dilute steering feel and introduce torque steer, and change the character of the car.

More MPG and more low-end torque are the only things to add to the car. Nuff said.

nosubstitutec4s

can we get a mod to ban this woman?

moRotorMotor

Why?

guy321

I don't think Sue is a woman.

zoom44

ahh who cares. i bumped it to get more feedback on the hi-jacked portion of the thread about the 6awd

affenage

Sue IS a woman. Eric is not.
How does the price of the AWD 6 compare to the FWD wagon?
-sue

IKnowNot'ing

As expensive as an Audi A4 equivalent ! So bloody expensive for a non premium brand.
There is a real lack of torque hitting hard the Mazda6 performance feel (says CAR).


Re RX8 AWD : look at the engine/transmission layout : it's almost impossible to do. But the real question is : what would be the point of it?

Mr Marvel

An AWD RX-8?....Wouldn't that take away what defines a TRUE sports car?!

RobDickinson

Theres nothing wrong with AWD, it has its advantages.

But no way can the RX8 be made 4WD. - not easily. Where are you going to fit 2 extra diffs (from the gearbox at the rear?) driveshaft to the front wheels?

And theres no point, at all.

BasenjiGuy

RobDickinson: I have to disagree with your post:

"Theres nothing wrong with AWD, it has its advantages."

AWD saps power, introduces weight, and adds understeer. On a lightweight sports car, you don't want any of this stuff. If you want to design a middle weight or heavier all weather vehicle and you're willing to sacrifice acceleration, steering feel, mileage, and handling balance, sure, use AWD.

But not on the 8. It's a neutral handling, easy-to-throttle steer RWD lightweight sports car. AWD has no place on this car. Additionally, put AWD on the 8 and you'll lose at least 2 to 3 mpg.

RobDickinson

uh - What part of "Theres nothing inherantly wrong with AWD, it has its advantages" dontcha understand? it also has its drawbacks.

If I'm offroad or rallying or whatever 4WD is a stack better than F/RWD. Even with drivetrain powerloss and understeer (which can be eliminated, and you dont need a 50/50 power split either) AWD cars can under many conditions be faster than RWD cars. See Audi's in the BTCC getting weight penalties aplenty because they are AWD.

In Ideal conditions, and with fixed power RWD will be quicker sure, and I in no way think the 8 needs or wants 4WD.

And you can do lightweight, quick and 4WD too, go check up on the ford RS200 - thats a beast, as light as a lotus elise (half the weight of an RX8) and 350+ bhp . And it doesnt sacrifice acceleration, steering feel, mileage, and handling balance, sure, use AWD. ofcourse its stupidly expensive but you cant have everything.


One reason I bought the RX8 was because it was only RWD.

Rotary Nut

Giving the 8 AWD will give it blistering acceleration and better grip in the twisties! Especially in the wet. With AWD stomping on the gas will give you neck snapping launches, just what you need to dust the posers out there.

I think it could be done as there is ample room in front of the engine for placement of the front axle!

My '02 Passat W8 had AWD and it would launch like the space shuttle. ZERO wheel spin and all four tires providing the power make for one heck of a ride!