Death Knell for RX-8?
 

Per attached article link, EPA will require 35.5 mpg fleet average by 2016. You never know, but that does not bode well for our 16-20 mpg cars.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/02/sc...02emit.html?hp

lol look at some of the other threads on this, general perception is that with the 2 and diesel powered 6 etc coming that Mazda will be able to still have a rotary if they want

You may be right, I don't know. I also don't know if they consider the proportion of sales represented by the model to compute the average. If they do, we're in the clear!

I would think they would have to calculate that in, or such an average would be quite the achievement to meet. Not to say there aren't plenty of sippers out there but when you want a nice family car for a mid-size family that can comfortably transport everyone around, even Honda doesn't see the nice high numbers. But when you factor in that more ppl buy a little econo-box for a commuter and daily driver in cities (highest pop areas) the ppl in the country side with larger vehicles (cars or trucks) weigh in less on the average MPG for a manufacturer. Hence, since more ppl would buy a hi-MPG Mazda6 Diesel or Mazda3 with the 2.0 or the Mazda2, hell even the CX-7 with a diesel will help make it so the RX-8 slides through barely noticed.

On top of that, the innovations in the 16X may have a rotary seeing mid 20's for MPG which would help tremendously when they do the calculations.

Just my $0.02's

Peace

You're being way too logical..........this is the government we're talking about here.

Long-term answer: The end is near (relatively) for all cars using gas engines to drive the wheels

Short-term answer: If mazda is creative/committed and the economy permits, there's room for a productive rotary in the fleet

Renesis could probably be rated for 18/28 if it was in a miata weight car or a little lighter

If the 16X is produced (direct injection) for a lighter production car it could be in 20/30 territory

I'd hate to give up my beloved 8, but if it means we're all burning less oil, then hell… it's worth it. Times change. And, if it happens, it's been a great ride.

Everything will be granfathered so we can drive 'em 'til they ain't no more parts. At my age, with an '09 at 5,500 miles, I'll probably be dead before the 8 sputters out. And in heaven, you can drive whatever you want.

^ :)

What's cool about the rotary is it's acceptance of alternate fuels. Hehe, full production hydrogen or other fuel rotaries would be awesome. Also if they tuned the performance down I'm sure you could get better MPG out of the engine. My old 83 RX-7 with stock 110hp would get 28mpg easy and the thing was still fun to drive. Though I kinda killed that when I put a bigger carb on it haha. As they say, you gotta pay to play. Performance costs money at the pump or otherwise.