plastic piece in front of rear wheel
 

Just got my brand spankin new RX8 and i noticed a small plastic rectangular piece on the body in front of the rear wheel. It is on the fender bluge and it is body colored. I was wondering what this was and if it is normal. Or is it something the dealer forgot to take off?

Thanks
Neil

That is a stone guard to protect the paint.

Mine has it too. Is it covering an anchoring point for the appearance package or splash guards, perhaps? I'm sure it was not a dealer oversight - I seem to recall seeing it on other cars.

No it's just there to prevent sand blasting of the wheel bulge, which would be decimated in under two years if old Jag E Types are any reference point. I hate mine. The edge of it collects dirt that looks horrible on the yellow paint, and sandblasting always looks kind of cool, like I've been driving the car HARD. Oh well, I'm not tying to take it off. Too much work and risk of damaging the paint.