unemployedpimp

can anybody post info on the mazdaspeed rx8:D

Hercules

The only info is that there isn't any yet.

They don't even know if they will produce it, it is entirely dependant on the sales of the RX-8. I just hope they don't turbocharge it.

DYT

If it is ever produced, I hope it stay NA also. I think Mazda should focus on using lighter materials and drop all "luxuary" items, dropping the weight to about 2700 lbs (assuming the regular Rx-8 is at ~2900). At the same time up the hp to about 280-300 hp with intake, exhaust, higher compression, and whatever else they can do. Finally a little firmer suspension setting and Mazda would have a world beater. Forget the Z and S2000, it will have the power to weight ratio of a 911, and the handling to match.

I hope whatever they plan to put on the MPS version will also be available to put on the regular RX-8. I will hate to buy the first runs and then the MPS version comes out a year later.

Aesculapius

Question for the masses.....

I am new to the Mazda scene and don't know a lot about the Mazdaspeed variants on their cars.

Are they equivalent to an SS version or are they more of a custom?

A brief explanation would be appreciated.

fritts

Wasn't there a statement from mazda saying that they were not going to turbocharge the Renesis. Also I thought I remember something about 300hp being mentioned in regards to the Mazda Speed Version.

I too hope that whatever they offer on the MPS that the parts can be bought for our 8's

Hercules

Yes, but they said they wouldn't turbocharge it for THIS release.... maybe the MPS one but I sure hope not. Nothing is better than a NA engine

boowana

Yes. There will be one.:D
HP: 300
New: 6-speed Sequential Shifter
Date: determined partly on Regular RX-8 sales.
Suspension: different than standard
Other refinements. Yes
Fast. Yes.
Real fast. Yes.
Really, really fast. You got the picture.
Blow the competition away. Count on it.

That's all for now folks.
Nyuk, nyuk, nyuk...:p

Grimace

"Mazdaspeed" is equivalent to BMW's M-cars, for example. Like an in-house tuner. Instead of the ultra-sport versions of the Protege being called "Mazda Protege Type R" (for example) they are called "Mazdaspeed Protege" instead. Very specialized and rare. For example, only 2500 Mazdaspeed Proteges will be made this year.
There is a rumoured Mazdaspeed RX-8 and 6 coming out eventually.

Immi

do they sell these in canada?

are they equivalent to honda mugen? and merc amg?

mx32mpsrx8

Questions:
Production Numbers?
Will it be limited production like the MP3 and Protege? Dealer stated reason for this is, if less than 2500 are built, the cars don't have to meet emissions. I saw an article where a Mazda rep said the MPS 6 wouldn't be limited production, because they want it to be a brand defining car. So where would that leave the MPS8?

Colors?
The color selection must be better than the stupid colors for the Protege. Orange?

Price?
Features sound great, but with all the additions/alterations, what will the price increase be?

Date?
In the Car and Driver forum, a dealer said next fall for release. A good estimate?

Side observation: Why does it appear the Miata will be the last to get a Mazdaspeed version, when it's Mazda's offical "sports car" and everyone wants more power?

fritts

Boowana,
Do you know whether or not mazdaspeed products will be available for their non-MPS versions?

I really don't want to have to wait any longer to get the MPS just because I there won't be parts availability.

m477

I'm REALLY REALLY curious as to exactly how they will reach 300hp...

I'm guessing it won't be a 3-rotor, because that would be in the range of 350+ hp. (drool...)

They, specifically said no turbo, but that makes the most sense. A setup just like the MPS Protege, would be the best of all worlds: more power (and TORQUE!), virtually no lag, could be made very reliable, fairly cheap, and easy to mod.

If it's just 1.3l NA, that will really, really suck. It would rev higher and be VERY peaky, there will be little power anywhere else other than the top 2-3k of rpm. Making 300hp at 11000rpm would be cool and all, but when there is less than 200hp throughout most of the rev range, the car would just feel really sluggish most of the time.

wakeech

it could still be a Forced Induction system, m477... supercharger???

fritts

This could be a case where the MPS will have a large amount of advance in ignition timing and require 91+ octane. If it is like the RX-7 they may be dumping pre-cats and blower, and may just be making emissions. Another point might be that the engine is terribly loud and the exhaust is fairly restrictive. I am hoping too that is not a 3 rotor, which I don't think it will be, also that its not a turbo. That way we can upgrade our cars to 300hp, with a warranty.

Just a side note but I went to the www.zcar.com and searched on the RX-8. From a post about a month ago they thought the RX-8 would weigh as much as a 350Z. haha

Sputnik

Briefly, the current example of Mazdaspeed is in the Protege', where they did major power and suspension upgrades (not mere tweaks). The few details that we've heard on the Mazda 6 version is more of the same. Hopefully, they will keep this tradition. So, no, it's not equivalent to an SS version. It's more equivalent to Ford's SVT cars. The Cobra is an SVT version, the SVT Contour, the Lightning is an SVT version, and previous SVT models (like turbo Mustangs of yore).

---jps

Maurice

Does anyone want to take a guess at MSRP for a Mazdaspeed RX-8?

I think it might be out of my price range.

Hercules

I think it will be some time before we have to worry about it, but if I had to guess I'd say around 38k.

said7

I dont understand why anyone would buy the mazdaspeed version. When you can spend much less and do similar or better modifications through aftermarket stuff.

Shoot id much rather have an aftermarket turbo kit than an NA tuned rx8.

Sputnik

We don't know that you will be able to spend much less and do similar or better going aftermarket. Look at the Mazdaspeed Protege'. By the time you rack up all of the aftermarket parts to equal what you get with that car (springs, shocks, swaybars, turbo, ecu, IC, 17" wheels, etc. etc.), then you've spent more than what the Mazdaspeed version will cost, and you don't get the factory warranty. And that's if you can find an aftermarket suspension setup that will work as well as what they put on the Protege', because just throwing springs and shocks at a car doesn't just magically transform it into a better performer.

And there is no guarantee that everything you want from the Mazdaspeed version will be available for aftermarket bolt-ons.

---jps

fritts

I would think that the MPS verision of the RX-8 would only be about 34k or so. The mps protege is 3500 over the high end protege. But a large portion of the cost would be from the turbocharger, intercooler, and all that mess. The 8 I believe would require a lot less tuning than a protege would require too.

max_stirling

I've never heard of the 2500 exception for meeting emissions standards, though, I think the MazdaSpeed Protege still meets the ULEV standard.

From what I understand, Mazda doesn't want MazdaSpeed to be limited editions that sell out before they hit the showroom and perspective buyers are left out in the cold for another model year.

This happened with the Protege MP3. All 2K units sold out by enthusiast before the rest of the public could even test drive one. This also occurred with the 2K units of 2003 MazdaSpeed Protege. Mazda learned their lesson and this is exactly why Mazda is building 2500 2003.5 MazdaSpeed Proteges with minor exterior changes.

I believe that Mazda will announce a limited production run of MazdaSpeed vehicles. If that particular vehicle sells out quicker than expected, Mazda will produce a second run of half year models to meet demand. This was quoted MNAO president.

Bottomline, if there's enough demand to buy a MazdaSpeed vehicle, Mazda will produce it.

Cheers

max_stirling

I totally agree with you. I used to think the same way as the original poster, but I realized that even if an aftermarket tuner could produce an equivalent to the MazdaSpeed Protege for the same difference in price between a loaded Protege ES and the MS version, it just simply won't be as reliable and the factory warrenty is viod.

Now my thinking is to buy the forced induction version and have the tuner up the boost. The reason being that the factory has already compensated the ECU, the engine, and the rest of the chasis to handle boost. Often internal pieces have been reenforced or upgrade and the ECU has been programmed to respond to boost.

All that was just regarding the engine power. There has been a lot of changes regarding the brakes, suspension, wheels and tires. In the most recent SCC edition, the MazdaSpeed Protege lost by a hair to the much more power SRT-4 and clearly beat out the rest of the competition due to the overall handling of the car. Replicating this balance with aftermarket parts will be difficult.

Of course, aftermarket parts will improve the power, handling and look of a vehicle, but will it match the balance and reliability of a factory tuned unit, especially one done by MazdaSpeed. Think about it. Mazda has the resource and technical ability to pour hundreds of thousands of dollars into the research, development, and testing of a vehicle like the MazdaSpeed Protege. Do you think a tuner will have the same resource and money to match that?

Just a thought.

max_stirling

Rumors of the MazdaSpeed RX-8 are currently muddy. I've heard a NA tuned version of the RENESIS producing ~280-300HP. I have also heard that it will have the same 330-350HP FI (turbo or supercharger versions have not been decided) RENESIS that the 4th gen RX-7 will have. Mazda has made it clear that the 4th gen RX-7 will be a FI 2 rotor RENESIS.

Though, my intellectual mind says that 300HP for the MS RX-8 will be plenty, my heart is still holding out for the 350HP FI version. Oh, what a nice daily drive that would be. Sorry, fellow Mazdaphiles, my 3rd gen RX-7 will be replaced by one of the following: 427 Cobra Replica, Ferrari 308/328/Mondial, Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder Replica, or a Porsche 550 Spyder Replica. There's a small chance that the 4th gen RX-7 will make the list, but very unlikely especially if it will have the same engine as the MazdaSpeed RX-8. What I will actually purchase as my fun car will have very much to do with timing and opportunity.

Cheers

fritts

Where was it said that the 4th gen 7 will be FI. Road and Track stated the the new 7 will not be FI. That it would have a 280 hp version of the Renesis.

boowana

I don not have any further information and won't for some time.
I can tell you the production will be limited much like the Mazdaspeed Protege.
All cars, including Mazdaspeed models HAVE TO pass all emmissions tests.