So I'll be the first after this break to ask...
 

what's new in the world of the RX-8? I haven't found any information whatsoever about the car lately, since the forums have been down.

No new reviews, comments, previews, road tests, pictures... nada. Anybody have any luck?

not much...
 

had a sandwich, rented a couple of movies, actually saw the RX-8 live!!! nearly died of a heart attack, went back home, had another sandwich.;)

(it's the yellow model though, not the cutting edge one...)


oh yeah, WELCOME BACK EVERYBODY!!!

What's new
 

I haven't found anything new for RX-8, though there was an interesting tidbit on the 4th Gen RX-7 (pending) on rotarynews.com

Incidentally, stopped by my dealer last week to take a look at the Mazda 6, and make sure he didn't lose "THE LIST". He said he thinks he's getting RX-8s in December. I told him that didn't sound right, as the unveiling isn't even until January, and latest rumors don't place job 1 until February. The Mazda 6 looked pretty sweet. Didn't drive any; he only had 4, and they were automatics (4-bangers, too, I think).

P.S. I was going through forum withdrawal.

Well, I got this email from Mazda about a week ago saying new photos have just been revealed. Here's the link:

http://www.mindarrow.net/rx8hr4/stat...938&mid=116741

-Neal

PS: I just saw the new 6 at my dealer here in PHX. V6 with black leather and sport packages; black and yellow exteriors! HOT!

- The way that more and more insiders are "talking", it seems like the decision has already been made to bring back the RX7.

- I understand that the Mazdaspeed RX8 will come with a true sequential gearbox and 300hp. But due to marketing reasons (understandably so), it won't be available for some time after the initial release.

-In an interview on www.theracesite.com, a Mazda official basically mentioned that they are looking into developing the RX8 for the Speed Channel World Challenge GT series. Look for the article on how well Mazda's engine program has worked for the Protege' in the Touring series.

-The seatbelts will be mounted to the front seats, and not to the doors like in some of the prototypes. Personally, I think that's a good thing.

---jps

I don't think that's a good idea for everyone...
For most drivers it's the best option, but what if you want to put some nice recaro bucket seats in it?? no seatbelts anymore??
Ok, you can also put a whole race harness in it, but not everyone likes that too...

I wouldn't see the point in Recaros.. the seats are firm, sturdy, gripping, and lightweight. Everything that Recaros are. Maybe a bit here and there can be measured but it's really not worth the investment to change them out.

Re: What's new
 

A little off topic but the RX-7 Renesis they mention is targeting 206 kW. That calculates to 276 hp:( . Pretty disappointing considering rumors of the MPS RX-8 hitting 300 hp.

Re: Re: What's new
 

Considering the RX-7 shoudl weigh less than the RX-8 (minus two doors and two seats, smaller trunk maybe)... it will be good.

Besides, what's to say they won't make a MPS RX-7 :)

yup, i think that'd be a cool solution, between making money on the next 7 (keeping it reasonably cheap), and having a mega-sweetass halo car...
do what they did with the FC, but to a waaaaaay bigger degree...

supposing the next 7 will keep the traditional mass of about 2800 lbs, with 275hp it should be a real mover... sans turbos, it (hopefully) will last for a good long while, and still be (probably) faster than an FD, which is really f*ckin' quick...

THEN, if you wanna outrun a Corvette or something, Mazda offers the MPS RX-7, which would be absolutely banzai... imagine 320 (just as a number) horses in a (hopefully) sub-2800lb. car, all done up like a Viper ACR (superfluous anemities, and some safety stuff gone, not to mention the fabric over the interior...), whoa baby...