VWjet

Is anyone else going to take those things off immediately after picking up the car? I think it's great to be able to open the hood and see the powerplant that is the heart and soul of your automobile. Automakers cover up so much nowdays, all you see is plastic!

evel333

Yeah, but in the 8, when you open the hood, all you'll see are hoses and intake components, as the engine itself is situated so low and to the rear. (^_^)

brownchiro

I only look at my engine compartment when I change the oil. Never look at it otherwise. I find it easier to wipe clean with the components on it.

ZoomZoom

My fear about removing the engine covers is heat; they may be used to redirect in incoming air and cool the engine.

RotorGeek

I will replace it with the Maadaspeed carbonfiber cover

Lensman

I don't want to see the washing machine.

RotaryStalker

I agree with Lensman :p.. However, what does it weigh? G-Man I'm sure will remove it to gain that extra .0000000001 sec in the quater mile :D

RotaryStalker

tribal azn2

u cant see the engine when u take it off so its pretty pointless to take it off.

just leave it on, it'll keep all the dirty and debris from getting into the bay

babylou

I will also remove it to reduce weight. You exagerrated, Lensman, I calculate that the weight saving will be a 0.00000001 sec improvement.:p Anyways, I am more interested in the agility improvements that come from low mass. And no comments about going on a diet cuz I just finished exercising.:D

johnsocal

While the RX8 is an awsome looking car , its engine has to be one of the ugliest known to man with all the hoses and crap covering it.

The Renesis needs that cover to make it look good and make the engine look larger then it really is because most people wouldnt understand that such a little-tiny engine produces more then enough HP.

RXhusker

To the contrary -- the true beauty of the RX is the engine... much like people it is the beauty on the inside (rotors) not the outside (hoses, etc.) that counts. When I had my RX-7 everyone wanted to look under the hood and where always in awe at that little piece of engineering art :D

JSG

I was amazed how much was in the engine compartment! I was braced for this tiny beer barrel mounted low under the cover but there is a lot of stuff packed in there - certainly not much room for anything extra.

BRx8

any room for a turbo/supercharger? :D

Sputnik

Although I haven't had the chance to look at the panels in person, due to the location of said panels (up against the hood when closed), I just don't see how it would affect air flow, or be effective in keeping dirt and debris out of the engine bay.

---jps