Yuhki

According to a news site( NIKKAN JIDOSHA SHIMBUN) in Japan.

Mazda is planning to release some new versions of the RX-8
such as more sports version or luxury version to adapt to various needs of the customers.
The new versions would be released around next April.

Smoker

wow, that's great, but I would imagine they would probably wait till the summer of 2004 to launch those models as 2005 models.

MRocks

Just in time too for when my current lease is over!

Renesis08

Hmm....Wonder if I should wait!?!

Cam

iTrader: (1)

Did it mention a Mazdaspeed version?

Renesis08

I talked to one of the guys at Mazda R&D at the OC revitup. He said the Mazdaspeed version won't be out for another 3yrs. This sounds reasonable considering the eight is just being released here in the US.

mac

Hey Yuhki, does the site mention if one of these will have a liftback/hatchback? I would be willing to wait another year in order to have the hatch version (don't know if my sanity could hold out that long but I would wait )

Yuhki

No detail information yet. And I think that this information is still "palnning". "palnning" is always subject to change.

I have not seen any rumor on the RX-8 hatch yet in Japan.

bwayout

Well, here's my request:

Please Mazda give us a fastback/hatchback version!

(I know at least 4 other RX-8 forum members that feel the same way - I hope there's more of us out there)

and please bring back hid-a-way/pop-up headlights too!

:D

pelucidor

...and a wagon version too! Sorry Windy (if you are still around)

Pop up headlights seem to be extinct for safety reasons - I miss them too.

brothervoodoo

What is the interest in the hatchback, increased space? Just curious.

Speed Racer

Speaking for myself, I find the extra utility of a hatchback to be invaluable when you only have one vehicle. The extra space provided by folding rear seats and a large opening makes it so I can transport almost anything, with in reason. The RX-8 would be my ideal affordable car if it had a hatchback.

mac

Ditto. I've always owned a hatch or liftback. It makes the trunk space much more functional. For example, the current trunk space of the 8 is actually big enough to hold my suitcases but there is no way to actually put them in because of the opening. The fold down seats also greatly increases the capacity for those odd times you need to haul a big item like a large monitor or beer cooler .

You loose some of the body stiffness but it is only temporary (you don't usually push your car when your hauling stuff). This is a tradeoff but the 8 is all about trade offs.

brothervoodoo

You both give compelling reasons for a hatchback. There was another recent thread in which someone doctored a photo to show a "hatchback version" of the 8. I noticed that it changed the entire look of the car by having the rear glass extend farther back. It lost its 'sporty" look. Mazda was very deliberate in the design of the look of the car and I could see how they choose not to go with the hatch. They choose look over utility, you are right the 8 seems to make many trade-off's, I think they've done a great job in walking that thin line.

P00Man

in a way...but in another way its no tradeoffs at all, since its been built fromt he gorund up to be exactly what it is, a 4seater sports car, with a rotary engine
________
Black girl

bwayout

Yes, and IMHO a fastback (if done right) looks a little sleeker and sporter ...

Yes, I'm there with you Speed Racer! ... Plus make it a Fastback and a hatchback!

:D

True, which makes me miss the RX-Evolve concept much more, It was a fastback, and I believe it had a little move leg room in the cabin area that the RX-8

bwayout

Oh, those were the good old days ..



But hey, to his point, let's not forget the BMW z hatchback ... Not that I'd ever buy one (unless they turn it into a fastback version)

:p :D

bwayout

Hey, that was me!

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discussion-3/8-consider-fast-back-5144/

RX-8 Forum > General Topics > RX-8 Discussion > is the 8 consider "Fast back"

:D

You are so right - Mazda very much wanted the RX-8 to have a small cabin look and feel!

Personally, I would be more happy with the look and feel of the old 88-93 Probe fastback style! But, that's another story in it's self ...

M-ster

If I read this correctly, and base on what Mazda has did for the past couple of so called new versions of the MX-5, I think the changes for the 'new versions of RX-8' could be pretty much cosmetic changes. From the launch of a Brand New Car, it doesn't make sense for mazda to do a major re-construction to the RX-8. It just way too much investment to go into before they know wheather the 8 is going to be a profitable project for them just as yet.
It could be special edition colours, special leather, interior accents, suspension tuning... that sorts of versions.
Or I could be wrong...

73JPS

AUGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! !!!!!!!! (...runs screaming from the room):D :D

Speed Racer

In my opinion I think Mazda created a very sleek almost Italian looking body (Ferrari Maranello comes to mind) that I wouldn't want to change but I still think that they could have made a hatch out of the rear window and trunk lid. I've seen similar designs on some Saabs and even a Chevy Corsica where they do not follow the typical hatchback shape and still look like they have a trunk.

Gord96BRG

Nope, and the reason they wouldn't do a hatch had nothing to do with style or convenience... Hatchbacks are never as stiff as equivalent coupes, and they're always heavier. Since Mazda wanted the RX-8 to be as stiff and light as possible, any thoughts of a hatchback were thrown out. That's also why the rear seats do not fold down - there's significant chassis bracing in the rear seatback structure.

Regards,
Gordon

Speed Racer

I don't want to be argumentative but the RX-8 is not a feather weight at 3,053 lbs. It is 553 lbs. heavier than my Celica which also happens to be a hatchback.

Could they have made the the RX-8 a notch/hatchback? I'm sure that it is feasible but it would come with pros/cons just like the "Free Style" doors. I think that the RX-8 is full of compromises and most of them I agree with but the car would match my needs better if it was a hatchback.

brothervoodoo

Interesting observations and lively discussion. Imagine, the idea of the "hatch" would skew the entire engineering blueprint, just consider the option of trying to make an "8" a convertible!!! Probably would have to throw out the clam shell doors and god knows what else.. just wouldn't be the same car, would it. I guess we can shelve that debate for another couple of years, hopefully the 8 lures the masses with its unique look and layout to inspire further rotary ingenuity and continued aggressive and innovative styling for the 8 and 7.

babylou

Though I agree that the RX-8 has many neccessary compromises it is ridiculous to compare it's weight to a Celica. The Celica has much less power, an unusable rear seat and is FWD. All of these Celica features lead to quite a bit lower weight.