frogzapper

Hey!

Rotarynews.com just posted part 2 of the report from Laguna Seca. I expected to see some reactions from you guys by now!

The overall article seems very positive, but like many of the other reviews, stops just short of calling the RX-8 a true sports car

So what do you all think?

cueball

It is not a true sports car it has 4 seats and 4 doors.

Aesculapius

:D

pmacwill

then boost I shall :D

ZoomZoom

Does it really matter? Let’s all get over this hang-up ladies!!!

DonG35Miata

Link please? I tried bumping up the ID # and it didn't work.

ZoomZoom

Here you go!

DonG35Miata

Didn't work! Could you check the link?

ZoomZoom

I just tested it and it worked… reboot and try again.

Schneegz

Jeeze! Who cares if it's a "true sports car" or not as long as it performs and is fun to drive?

A BMW M3 is not a "true sports car", but I've never heard anyone complain about an M3 not being a "true sports car". Why not? It can run with a Corvette (almost) and STILL has back seats roomy enough for your kids or adults you don't like much.

From all the driving impressions I've read, the RX-8 seems to be the same kind of deal.

1) It'll run with "true sports cars" in its price range (almost), like the S2000 or 350Z

2) It'll probably smoke all the sports coupes in it's price range (G35, RSX-S, Accord Coupe V-6)

3) It's roomier than both the sports cars AND sports coupes in its price range.

Best of all, the driving impressions I've read have been reassuring as far as interior quality and room go. I think it's a great car. No, it won't work for everybody, but what car does?

ZoomZoom

Exactly!!!

MikeW

Now all they have to do is get rid of that torque sensitive differential, and get a speed sensitive differential like the BMW M3 and Nissan 350Z.

Buger

Heaven forbid they use the same type of differential as that crappy handling fd3s rx-7 huh Mike? :D

The 2.0 TBR is too high for you but luckily it isn't anywhere near as high as the TBR on that crappy handling fd3s huh Mike? :D

frogzapper

sheesh!!

I'm sorry for making the comment -- I certainly didn't intend for everyone to get hung up on the "true sports car" part of my post. It was just an observation, not an invitation to start the whole debate yet again! I was just interested in hearing everyone's thoughts on the article in general!!

I'll go back to reading mode again now...

MikeW

Torque sensitive differentials do not make any sense for vehicle that want to turn. (not go straight)

When cornering more weight is on the outer side (as evident in body roll, weight distribution 65/35 under 0.5 lateral acceleration-generalization) so there is more weight and a longer arc there (not that huge of a difference, less than <55/45). So power should be favored to the outer side, but the torque sensitive differentials favors the inner side. Just plain ridculous.

I didn't know the fd3s rx-7 had crappy handling? :D :p

I could live with a TBR of 1.5:1, that is enough to spin both wheels, in a straigh line from a dead stop.

ajmacdon

One aspect to keep in mind is the dynamic stability control. I develop/test DSC for American OEM's and any limited slip differential behavior during the active brake interventions you see with DSC is very difficult to deal with. There has been considerable development in this area and the result is that DSC works best with a torque biasing diff like RX-8 uses. We are actually quite pleased with the interaction between DSC and torsen diffs, it is somewhat responsible for the positive comments the RX-8 DSC is getting from the press (they usually hate stability control)

Anyway, other characteristics of the diff are debatable (I like a toque biasing diff, personally) but I just thought I would add this consideration.

Alex

TerenceT

so...

-what tires are they running?
-any brake fade from track use? (pretty unreal if there aren't any, IFF these demo uses street pad)
-would love to have a 12000rpm all rotary, even if i have to get a monster tech

the more i read, the more itchy i got in wanting to drive the 8.
but i guess, nothing i've read so far describe what i have in mind

guess i'll just have to drive it to see for myself

bern

The 8's had Potenza full tread hi-po street tires. No "R" compound or anything wacky like that....

Amazingly, there was no brake fade to speak of. We do under 10 hard laps apiece, but usually 2-3 hard laps at speed would have most passenger car's brakes fading. The brakes were working hard, you could really smell them once you finished your hot laps. I spoke to the guys doing maintenance at the event and they said; fresh stock pads were being placed on the car's everyday.

This was just an assumption on my part; based on the willingness of the RENESIS to happliy rev to the 10000RPM indicated on the tack. It would be real cool!

This is exactly what I suggest everyone do. If at all possible, make sure to get a nice mixed bag of driving in; freeway, sweeping on/off ramps, city and a little mountain driving!

Cheers,
Berny H.

KKMmaniac

In regards to the true sports car: (sorry to bring that up again) I consider my '85 RX-7s to be one. With that said, I'm sure the RX-8 will blow its doors off in every area: accelleration, handling, comfort, fuel economy, etc. I don't care how people want to categorize it!

ZoomZoom

Thanks for your insight on DSC’s and torsion differentials; also, welcome to the forum Alex!!!