2010 RX-8 Spy Shots
12-11-2007, 11:25 AM
#101
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its late and i had a long day at work so pardon if im seeing things- is there something different about the c pillar?
*snip*
whats so wrong with the headlights? they look like a good extension of the current design that get rid of the extra side marker- hooray! if they had done that to begin with we wouldn't have had to switch them out.
the hood is different as well as the fenders. they seem wider at the headlight area
the nose is obviously opened wider. possibly one opening but i bet it has the small psuedo- pening just below the hood lip. that area would be blank since it would hide the crash bar and then the larger functional bottom opening. is the lip of the trunk bigger?
*snip*
whats so wrong with the headlights? they look like a good extension of the current design that get rid of the extra side marker- hooray! if they had done that to begin with we wouldn't have had to switch them out.
the hood is different as well as the fenders. they seem wider at the headlight area
the nose is obviously opened wider. possibly one opening but i bet it has the small psuedo- pening just below the hood lip. that area would be blank since it would hide the crash bar and then the larger functional bottom opening. is the lip of the trunk bigger?
12-11-2007, 12:02 PM
#102
Everything behind the A-pillar looks the same to me, including the trunk lip, especially since it has the same 3rd brake light. The front does look wider but the hood and front fenders look like they are just modified to fit the wider stance. Again, I point to how the headlights don't match up to the fenders (you can see this best in the large 3/4 front pic) which means that those fenders we're seeing are just stand-ins.
The fact that they are moving the corner marker/reflector (US reg) into the headlight housing means that it won't be able to double as a side signal (rest of the world reg), so that's why we are seeing the add on side signal on the fender.
The fact that they are moving the corner marker/reflector (US reg) into the headlight housing means that it won't be able to double as a side signal (rest of the world reg), so that's why we are seeing the add on side signal on the fender.
12-11-2007, 12:10 PM
#104
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Not sure why they would put the effort into assembling light pieces together if they aren't going to produce them, just not a cost-effective thing to do. (Unless Mazda engineers are really bored...)
12-11-2007, 12:29 PM
#106
Check out the pic below. The red arrow shows how the current fender flare doesn't match up with the headlight, meaning the fender is going to change quite a bit. The blue arrow shows that the curved reflector will match up with the lines of the new fender flare and that the light will wrap around quite a bit more than the current headlight (which doesn't wrap around enough to use as a side marker). The pic below shows how the current headlight ends before the flare body line.
12-11-2007, 12:55 PM
#107
One possibility for this is that refresh will take place in 2009 MY (gen 1.5), so we will get the new lights, bumper, hood, fender and interior upgrade...etc.
Then for 2010 or 2011, it will be the same body as '09, with new engine/transmission in this mule. Which would make more sense, because 1) tougher emission standard to meet, so new setup is required, 2) almost the end of current of gen 1 body.
Because it makes no sense to do refresh for 1 year and redesign the next as they have to re-tool for the refresh, they would have to at least the the refresh run for 2 years
Does the bumper look like it lost that bottom diffuser where rotary fog light use to be???
Then for 2010 or 2011, it will be the same body as '09, with new engine/transmission in this mule. Which would make more sense, because 1) tougher emission standard to meet, so new setup is required, 2) almost the end of current of gen 1 body.
Because it makes no sense to do refresh for 1 year and redesign the next as they have to re-tool for the refresh, they would have to at least the the refresh run for 2 years
Does the bumper look like it lost that bottom diffuser where rotary fog light use to be???
12-11-2007, 01:06 PM
#108
All we know for sure about the 09 model is that there will be an R-spec that will have a unique body kit, all the news about facelifts has been rumor and hearsay (unless I've missed something). This mule smells next gen to me, and Brenda Priddy and Co decypher camo'ed test mules for a living and they are saying the same.
If you look at any other Mazda vehicle that has received a facelift, they usually aren't as extensive as a whole new front end with new fenders, hood, etc. Usually it's a front bumper, sometimes rear, new appearance add-ons, and if they do new lights, they fit in the old housing. But overall, a facelift would keep the same silhouette and the front of this doesn't.
If you look at any other Mazda vehicle that has received a facelift, they usually aren't as extensive as a whole new front end with new fenders, hood, etc. Usually it's a front bumper, sometimes rear, new appearance add-ons, and if they do new lights, they fit in the old housing. But overall, a facelift would keep the same silhouette and the front of this doesn't.
Last edited by Aipex8; 12-11-2007 at 01:22 PM.
12-11-2007, 02:42 PM
#109
All we know for sure about the 09 model is that there will be an R-spec that will have a unique body kit, all the news about facelifts has been rumor and hearsay (unless I've missed something). This mule smells next gen to me, and Brenda Priddy and Co decypher camo'ed test mules for a living and they are saying the same.
If you look at any other Mazda vehicle that has received a facelift, they usually aren't as extensive as a whole new front end with new fenders, hood, etc. Usually it's a front bumper, sometimes rear, new appearance add-ons, and if they do new lights, they fit in the old housing. But overall, a facelift would keep the same silhouette and the front of this doesn't.
If you look at any other Mazda vehicle that has received a facelift, they usually aren't as extensive as a whole new front end with new fenders, hood, etc. Usually it's a front bumper, sometimes rear, new appearance add-ons, and if they do new lights, they fit in the old housing. But overall, a facelift would keep the same silhouette and the front of this doesn't.
We don't really know if there is a R-spec, all we know is Canada is getting a Sport model with body kit as well as interior electronics upgrade for all '09.
If you look at the other models, take Mazda6 for example. '03-'05 and '06-'08, the grill, bumper, headlight, tailight, interior are all revised for the facelift, while the body stays the same. '09 Mazda6 is a complete redesign, hence new body and inteior. Same with '04-'06 Mazd3 and '07-'08 Mazda3, with exception that '08 Mazda3 will build after Jan '08 will have some upgrade.
So the bumper, fender and lights are different, doesn't mean it is a redesign test mule for 2010, just mean this particular mule is testing something with different hood, bumper, fender and lights.
Also you will notice that for redesign, Mazda likes to use current body part from other cars to throw people off, like RX-8 was tested usuing Miata body parts, Miata was tested using RX-8 body parts, Mazda6 was tested with RX-8 headlights and new fender with mazda6 body, Mazda3 is tested with current Mazda3 headlight hanging... None of the Mazda mules looked whole/complete until they are super close to actual release of redesign.
Also, no manufacturer will do a mule run with manufacturer and model clearly identified.
They might be testing some type of emission setup.
World Car Fans got some new pics
http://www.worldcarfans.com/9071211....a-rx-8-spotted
*** Edited ***
I finally got a chance to take a good look at World Car Fans pics... Hood is not longer, same as current, couldn't tell the cut-off from previous pics... from one of the pic you can almost see the dash... can't quite tell if it is different. Emergency blinker button looks the same, but the LCD (or LED) part looks similar to '09 Mazda6? Don't know... looks bigger... or maybe my mind is playing trick
Last edited by Conundrum; 12-11-2007 at 09:26 PM.
12-11-2007, 03:49 PM
#111
We don't really know if there is a R-spec, all we know is Canada is getting a Sport model with body kit as well as interior electronics upgrade for all '09.
If you look at the other models, take Mazda6 for example. '03-'05 and '06-'08, the grill, bumper, headlight, tailight, interior are all revised for the facelift, while the body stays the same. '09 Mazda6 is a complete redesign, hence new body and inteior. Same with '04-'06 Mazd3 and '07-'08 Mazda3, with exception that '08 Mazda3 will build after Jan '08 will have some upgrade.
So the hood is longer, bumper, fender and lights are different, doesn't mean it is a redesign test mule for 2010, just mean this particular mule is testing something with different hood, bumper, fender and lights.
Also you will notice that for redesign, Mazda likes to use current body part from other cars to throw people off, like RX-8 was tested usuing Miata body parts, Miata was tested using RX-8 body parts, Mazda6 was tested with RX-8 headlights and new fender with mazda6 body, Mazda3 is tested with current Mazda3 headlight hanging... None of the Mazda mules looked whole/complete until they are super close to actual release of redesign.
Also, no manufacturer will do a mule run with manufacturer and model clearly identified.
They might be testing some type of emission setup.
World Car Fans got some new pics
http://www.worldcarfans.com/9071211....a-rx-8-spotted
If you look at the other models, take Mazda6 for example. '03-'05 and '06-'08, the grill, bumper, headlight, tailight, interior are all revised for the facelift, while the body stays the same. '09 Mazda6 is a complete redesign, hence new body and inteior. Same with '04-'06 Mazd3 and '07-'08 Mazda3, with exception that '08 Mazda3 will build after Jan '08 will have some upgrade.
So the hood is longer, bumper, fender and lights are different, doesn't mean it is a redesign test mule for 2010, just mean this particular mule is testing something with different hood, bumper, fender and lights.
Also you will notice that for redesign, Mazda likes to use current body part from other cars to throw people off, like RX-8 was tested usuing Miata body parts, Miata was tested using RX-8 body parts, Mazda6 was tested with RX-8 headlights and new fender with mazda6 body, Mazda3 is tested with current Mazda3 headlight hanging... None of the Mazda mules looked whole/complete until they are super close to actual release of redesign.
Also, no manufacturer will do a mule run with manufacturer and model clearly identified.
They might be testing some type of emission setup.
World Car Fans got some new pics
http://www.worldcarfans.com/9071211....a-rx-8-spotted
12-11-2007, 03:52 PM
#112
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Rumor has it that the 16x will get DI and possibly turbo, and that set-up will be in the next gen RX-7 based off of a extended MX-5 platform. The RX-8 will become more of a GT car offering both a revised 13b and a NA 16x. If that was the case than these spy shots and articles would make sense. But as with all of it it's rumor and I'm as clueless as anyone.
12-11-2007, 04:31 PM
#114
Go Texas Longhorns!
world car fans pointed out that the sensor on the back could be testing ride height (as it is firing a light towards the ground) which would be an indication that they are suspension not emissions testing.
12-11-2007, 04:35 PM
#115
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Last edited by Renesis_8; 09-11-2011 at 01:59 PM.
12-11-2007, 04:58 PM
#116
Sorry... didn't read the world car fans when I posted the link, just saw the pics... anyway, if that's the case, and Zoom44 says R-spec is confirmed, then are they testing the suspension for the R-spec?
12-11-2007, 07:37 PM
#118
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7-speed dual clutch?
I got bored today so i decided to look up the rx8 on wikipedia and they state that the new rx8 may feature a 7-speed dry dual clutch transmission that was found in the Senku concept...you guys think that'll happen?
12-11-2007, 07:45 PM
#119
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Headlights?
Any chance the headlights could resemble the ones from the 2009 Mazda 6. I remember reading somewhere on autoblog that all future mazda designs would come from the new Mazda 3 and Takaki concept. The one from the spy photo resembles the ones on the 6 a little bit. It looks like the houseing around the lowbeam HID projector looks a little like the one on the 6 and its missing the parking light or it could be covered by the camo. I could be wrong.
12-11-2007, 07:56 PM
#120
Any chance the headlights could resemble the ones from the 2009 Mazda 6. I remember reading somewhere on autoblog that all future mazda designs would come from the new Mazda 3 and Takaki concept. The one from the spy photo resembles the ones on the 6 a little bit. It looks like the houseing around the lowbeam HID projector looks a little like the one on the 6 and its missing the parking light or it could be covered by the camo. I could be wrong.
Paul.
12-11-2007, 07:57 PM
#121
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The rear bumper looks different as well. It seems to curve downwards right below the tail lamps. Front bumper definitely looks different. Hmmmm, revised front bumper, head lamps, rear bumper, rear lamps----sure smells like a facelift.
The only thing I'm wondering about, which is along the same lines as most of you here, is why are they testing the car? Is it just a publicity stunt, or do they really have some significant drive train changes up their sleeves?
Just out of curiosity, has Mazda ever done this sort of thing (test mule) when they facelifted the 6 or the 3?
The only thing I'm wondering about, which is along the same lines as most of you here, is why are they testing the car? Is it just a publicity stunt, or do they really have some significant drive train changes up their sleeves?
Just out of curiosity, has Mazda ever done this sort of thing (test mule) when they facelifted the 6 or the 3?
12-11-2007, 08:27 PM
#122
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from the shading on the camo, i actually think that the "new" front bumper resembles the vielside kit, but not nearly as extreme. i would do a photoshop but am far to lazy.
12-11-2007, 09:14 PM
#123
Shortly after RX-8 caught testing, Mazda release Furai's PR....
http://www.motortrend.com/future/con...pt_first_look/
The last paragraph on in the link above provide another hint to the 2009 RX-8...
So maybe that's what they are testing? Improved handling and acceleration??
Mystery continues...
http://www.motortrend.com/future/con...pt_first_look/
The last paragraph on in the link above provide another hint to the 2009 RX-8...
As for the 2009 RX-8, Mazda was much less forthcoming, but says the car will be freshened visually, will feature improved handling, acceleration and overall quality, and will come with new features. The RX-8 will continue to be powered by the automaker's Renesis rotary engine, although it is unclear at this point if Mazda's next-generation, direct fuel injected version of the rotary it unveiled at October's Tokyo auto show will be on board for 2009.
Mystery continues...
12-11-2007, 09:17 PM
#124
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Last edited by Renesis_8; 09-11-2011 at 02:01 PM.