I've looked through the posts but I can't find testimonies from anyone who has experienced the differences between the two versions - 189 hp and 231 hp. How does the lower power car feel in comparison to the higher power car? It seems everyone in the States has plumped for the high power version.

 

unfortunately no one knows because so far, there hasn't been a difference...read up on the horsepower issue

 

Someone want to lock this thread now before we get another flame war? I'll keep my opinion to myself since it will just fuel the flames

By the way, here in the states it's "claimed" to be 247 vs. 210

 

Probably a good idea, since most of these topics are covered. Flame wars aside.... what's the point of having 10 of the same topics open?

 

Yeah, let's close this thread before the MT Bullies join in.

 

I think theres been a mis-understanding. Here in the UK, Mazda will be selling a Hi-Power version 'quoted' as 231 hp and Lo-Power version 'quoted' as 192 hp. As far as I can see all the UK car magazines have tested the Hi-Power versions. I was interested to see if anyone had actually tried both versions and could explain how they differed when driven.

I notice from the Mazda US site that the configurations they're listing are different to what has been made available in the UK - Manual (247hp) and Automatic (207hp).

I appreciate there are quite a few long threads dealing with the measured hp issues and can understand that this is a somewhat 'sensitive' point, but my intention is to find out how the UK spec cars might drive.

If the UK Hi-Power spec cars also suffer from a 'reduced hp' reading it might be worth buying the cheaper car as it is 10% cheaper.

No flame wars intended here...

 

There have been a few people who have mentioned test driving both low and hi power engines. The thing is, here in the colonies, the lopo are 4AT (automatics) only, and the hipo are 6MT's only, so it's going to be a little difficult to compare.

If it's a concern about power, IIRC, they reported that the lopos were definitely slower (it seemed significantly more than what the tranny difference would cause).

---jps

P.S. Is "Saulbass" a Seinfeld reference?

 

Do you get access to the RX-8 book (a.k.a "The Book") by Jack Yamaguchi? On page 50, there is a comparison of the max speed & acceleration time from 0 to 100km/hr on European models:

HP renesis, 6MT: 6.8 sec, max speed 238 km/hr
Stnd P renesis, 5MT: 7.8 sec, max speed 225 km/hr

Get the high power, unless, like me
a) you can tolerate waiting an extra second in acceleration, and
b) you don't mind having a lower maximal speed

Who drives at 238 km/hr in London, anyway?

P.S. On page 48 The Book lists the European power (in kW) as 177@8200 (HP) and 141@7000 (Stnd P). Using Kilowatts as units for European engine power seems odd but I guess it is consistent since The Book also shows Newton-meters (N-m) for the torque: 211@5500 (HP) and 220@5000 (Stnd P).

P.P.S. I got the lower power renesis with automatic transmission.

 

Canada, thanks for response and no I don't have access to the Yamaguchi book. I think it was only sent out to the first 1000 pre-orders in the UK. We're still waiting for the first deliveries. (Sept/Oct depending on who you ask!)

With regard to performance I drove an Audi TTR150 last week. Loved it to bits. It felt plenty fast enough for me. I note its recorded 0-62 is 8.9 sec so in that respect the lo-power (7.8 sec )ought to be plenty fast enough for my driving. Main problem with the Audi is storage/passengers, (You can't really get a normal sized adult in the back) and the fact that they're popping up everywhere. Still it was nice to drive. I hear the RX8 is better!

The other problem with getting such a fast car is that we have a moderately dense network of automated speed cameras now in the UK. In the 'slower' Audi I was surprised how often even on short runs I was getting over the speed limit without any effort. I guess this will be even more of a problem with the RX8. Has anyone had any experiences with products like the "RoadAngel?".

Sputnik - the monicker Saulbass isn't from Seinfeld but an American artist who pioneered in the form of motion graphics design during the 50's and 60's. He designed the titles for films such as Vertigo and the Man with the Golden Arm.

 

http://www.rx8forum.com/showthread.p...8347#post98347

Answered my question. Seems like Hi Power is the way to go.