Hey,
I have just noticed that european version of rx8 is rated at 231 hp at 8200 rpm (checked uk and nl mazda websites) instead of 238 at 8500 here in the USA. Another issue is that european horsepower are not equal to us so in us terms european hp equals to 226 hp. Isnt that something especially knowing that european emission restrictions are not as strict as ours...???

 

I don't know that! I know that Euro emissions laws in the past few years have become about as strict as US emissions laws, and in the next year will become about as strict as California emissions laws...

They used to be less strict - not anymore.

Regards,
Gordon

 

remember that when Mazda restatd the HP of the US spec cars they said the new stated number was within the legal 5% margin of error. so the figures just reflect a difference in marketing strategy and not any (or much) difference in actual HP.

 

Doesn't the standard UK version have the 4 port AT motor and a 5 speed?

 

I've wondered about this too. The Aussie version is rated at 177kW, which is 238 hp. The UK situation could be due to either different emissions regulations or perhaps lower octane fuel.
There are two versions of the engine in UK - low power and hi power. The hi power ( 231 hp) gets the 6 speed, the low power, 5 speed.

 

The UK versions are 5 speed MT for the 192bhp version and 6 speed MT for the 231bhp version. No Auto Transmissions to be had here.

Ian.

 

I have the UK high-power and it is rated at 228bhp/231ps ...

I understand that the power is down due to the fact that Mazda made sure that it would meet our more stringent emmisions in 2004 (EuroiV)

 

I guess that explains it... thanks