MAZDA RX-8 PZ Prodrive Edition
 

http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2006/05...e-edition.html


Mazda is introducing an even more ‘focused’ version of its highest performance, four-door, sports coupé. On sale in the UK from 1 July it will be called the ‘Mazda RX-8 PZ’.

Based on the 231ps high-power version of Mazda RX-8 with leather trim, the PZ has been further developed by Mazda jointly with leading motorsport company Prodrive, and specialist component suppliers Bilstein, Eibach and OZ Racing. Mazda’s brief to Prodrive was to build on the remarkable attributes of the standard Mazda RX-8 and create a special model that delivers greater driver involvement and an even more rewarding motoring experience, with enhanced ride and handling, while staying true to the original concept and without compromising the car’s passenger comfort as a unique four-seater sports car.

Ensuring a touch of exclusivity, just 800 examples of the Mazda RX-8 PZ will be available, priced at £25,995 on-the-road with an insurance rating of 17E compared to 16E for the standard RX-8 231ps model.

Distinguishing features include a choice of two colours Brilliant Black (solid) or Galaxy Grey (metallic), unique 18-inch OZ alloy wheels, rear silencer and aerodynamic rear spoiler, lowered suspension, sporty door mirrors, grille mesh inserts on front and rear bumpers as well as ‘PZ’ and 'Prodrive' badging. Additionally, inside RX-8 PZ features the black leather seat trim, plus black leather-wrapped steering wheel, gear knob and hand‑brake lever that features as standard on all RX-8 231ps models.

While the PZ certainly looks sophisticated and different from regular RX-8s, the changes and components that deliver the ‘greater driver involvement’ lie beneath the car’s stylish exterior. Bespoke suspension settings were developed by Prodrive during extensive testing of the prototype car at its Warwick test centre, the MIRA proving ground and on selected public roads, including challenging A and B roads as well as motorways.

The final specification derived by Prodrive for the Mazda RX-8 PZ sees the ride height lowered by 15mm all round, while the car is equipped with top-quality components from three companies at the leading edge of world-class motorsport.

To reduce roll and pitch, and achieve an even flatter cornering attitude, special Bilstein dampers and Eibach coil springs, made to Prodrive specifications, are fitted. The spring rates are increased by over 60 per cent, while the specially tuned gas-filled mono-tube dampers give tighter body control, yet maintain good compliance over ridges and bumps in the road. The front bump stop is changed for a new Bilstein item, (10mm shorter than standard), to achieve enhanced handling. The suspension geometry has also been revised to optimise the steering and handling. The anti-roll bars, rear bump stops and tyres are to the standard RX-8 specification to maintain rear passenger ride comfort.

The RX-8 PZ is also fitted with uniquely designed 10-spoke, 18-inch diameter lightweight alloy wheels, finished in dark silver with carbon fibre centre caps, branded with Prodrive and OZ logos. The OZ Racing wheels are just one ingredient of the subtle visual makeover given to the PZ. The standard boot lid spoiler is removed and replaced with an aerodynamic spoiler developed in the MIRA wind tunnel. Specially created for the RX-8 PZ by Prodrive, the spoiler is designed to generate down-force and enhance high-speed stability, while also endowing the PZ with a more pronounced appearance.

Black mesh grilles are fitted to the outer and central front air intakes and to the rear bumper vent. Lower-drag sporty door mirrors (similar to those used on the RX-8 Evolve) are also featured. Branding is applied to the front wings alongside the air vents, the rear spoiler, the twin chrome exhaust tailpipe surrounds and the wheel centres.

The PZ also sounds different from other RX-8s. An upgraded rear silencer was developed to give a sportier sound inside and outside the car.

In terms of acceleration and top speed, the Mazda RX-8 PZ performance matches that of the standard 231ps model, with a 0 to 62mph time of just 6.4 seconds and a maximum speed of 146mph. However, the spring, damper and aerodynamic changes result in a significantly more focused car, with greatly enhanced appeal for drivers wanting to fully exploit the car’s dynamics including better cornering ability and a more precise steering feel.

The changes embodied in PZ will inspire driver confidence and make the Mazda RX-8 range even more attractive to motorists in search of a seriously capable sports car with the unique ability to take the family for an exciting drive.

MAZDA RX-8 PZ – AT A GLANCE

Performance

Lowered ride height

Upgraded coil springs and dampers

Unique 18-inch OZ alloy wheels

Unique aerodynamic rear spoiler

Unique upgraded twin rear silencers

Appearance

Exterior colours, Brilliant Black (480 units) or Galaxy Grey (320 units)

Front and rear mesh grilles

Sporty door mirrors

PZ side badges

PZ and Prodrive branded rear spoiler

Prodrive and OZ branded wheel centre caps

Prodrive branded silencer surrounds

Technorati Tags: Mazda+RX-8, Prodrive, RX-8+PZ, auto, automotive, automobile, auto+news, cars, press+release, , images, pictures, tuning

great... just another package that has a body kit :(

I want one thing from an upgraded rx-8, more power. The rest I can do at my own leasure (springs, rims, swaybars, etc). Until then we have to void our warranty to get it.

edit: This one doesn't even look different than the stock rx-8 besides the rear spoiler. :)

I could care less about cosmetic packages these guys are putting out. You're right, give us more power, 16B or some shit. I don't think I can live with a 13B FI that gives me crappy mileage.

REPOST - and it was cancelled I think

Really?


*Cosmetic packages*
How is it everyone addresses the one strong poing of the car(drive experience/looks), but no one addresses the one weak point(torque/hp)?!?!

where in the world can i get mirrors like those?

Up next:

Mazda RX-8 Fast and Furious package

Neon lights at every pillar, in the wheel well, underneath the seats, underneath the dashboard, in the trunk, in the engine bay, under the headlights, around the steering wheel, on your handbrake, door handles, pedals, head rest, center aisle, rearview mirror, and seatbelt.

Chrome everywhere

Stripes

New color choices: gay avocado, androgynous sky blue, metrosexual pink, flaming drag orange.

24" Spinner wheels

5 inch wheel gaps

Red painted drum breaks (yeah they're getting rid of disk brakes)

Every package comes with fluffy dice cubes.

Optional package: Airbags for that cruiser/bounce look.


... awesome Mazda! Very awesome. I can't wait for this next special edition! I'm going to trade in my current 8 for it!

That is sad.

borrrrrrinnnnnnnnggggggggggg

this kinda thing tells me IF mazda could get more HP out of the renesis, they would.

:( that is all

Even though I want more power too--I think that its a nice color and the aero changes are pretty cool--I like the spoiler, mirrors, and the exhaust tips.

Wow some more show to cover up the no go! Mazda... work on your engine issues first.

they will never turbo this thing, if they could have.....they would have.

its a shame really

I grow so tired of the fluff.... :boring:

No fluff.!!!!!!!!!!!

It's better.

Handles better looks better and sound like a sports car.

It's perfect for many people.

Just not us

The package sounds nice to me, and I'm very much against cosmetic upgrades. I'll take the stiffer suspension any day as unlike a lot of people, I don't seem to measure how much "go" a car has by its horsepower rating.

Sounds great... need interior shots, i can see a lot of people transplanting the steering wheel and ebrake handle into their usdm 8's.

Mazda just doesn't get it! Don't they realize that it's time to improve the performance and not the damn exterior! Most of us here care more about performance and if Mazda wants to stay alive in the sports car category that includes many cars in the 250 plus hp, they better wake up!

I like that wing :icon_tup:

http://i2.tinypic.com/xgb347.jpg

Haha that wing makes one wonder if luke skywalker is piloting that 8.

I just wish they would have made their shiftknob fit the RX-8, then I could get one for my Evo. I can't find a weighted knob that I like...

I love Prodrive, but I have to agree with you guys that this is pretty weak. At least it should handle better unlike the Shinka which is 100% fluff <shrugs>

50 grand just for some cosmetics? pff good luck to them selling it...

Might have bought this "sportier" version if that had been up for grabs when I first bought my 8...however for them to release it 2+ years down the line...lame.

another link http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/08/m...prodrive-rx-8/

if you ask me (i know ya won't)i feel mazda should revamp all the ecu and send them to all rx8 owners free of charge for all the problems we have .flooding,poor performance (gas guzzer)transmissions etc,etc,etc...this would make most people who shelled out hard money for there cars to have so many problems.. :bootyshak

Yeah they should do something to compensate us. Mine is at the dealer right now for engine pinging and sincro issues 2nd and 5th gear. I'm waiting for them to tell me that nothing is wrong, then I'll let them know that I'm keeping their loaner until they find a problem, ahaha, see how well that flys!

kind of sad atempt by manufactures to build on a ncie car that mazda is refuseing to develope further?

i like Mazda but this shit is fuckin irritating!!!!!!!!! they wasted so much time on making a Mazdaspeed 6 and a Mazdaspeed 3 that is not selling so great because there are other cars such as STI's and EVO's that already done the whole AWD turbo. Mazda should have just put more thought into making this car a great seller! if they ever make a USDM version of the Mazdaspeed RX8 they should make this car atleast in competition with these AWD turbo cars. i say 280-300 bhp should do it with atleast 240-250 lbs of torque. if Nissan can make a NA VQ35DE (350z or G35) make 280-300 bhp then im sure Mazda could make the RX-8 run with the big boys instead on getting pushed around because of the amount of power RX-8 makes.

don't think we're getting "pushed around" by any car. I got over the lack of torque. You don't need a rediculous amount to pull off a light and leave 20 feet of rubber on a regular take-off.
Secondly, I think mazda wants to make a Mazdaspeed RX-8.
Maybe they're in the phase of getting one produced and doing other tweaking and stuff...only time will tell.
Love your car for what it is...the only ROTARY in production, today.
I love the fact that I don't see my car everytime I turn my head and the fact that people look at me really funny when I say I have rotors.
Moral of the story...love it for what it is and if you want the FI then go buy it. I hope people realize thats its probably going to cost the same (if not more) than if it were a Mazdaspeed.

I'm just glad my car is not in crappy magazines every month.

I want one, this is better then the shinker version.

20B Renesis Mazdaspeed RX-8 YEA!!!!!! your right though i love my car for what it is and i can always make it better as time goes by. when im driving into town i always have heads turn and people just come up and talk to me if im at a gas station or something its really rare here especially in Maui to see a modified RX-8 actually only 2 of us and that includes me. so thats the positive part of owning this car and i just enjoy it :ylsuper:

You can buy your own aftermarket parts for a lot less.

I say give Mazda a break. After dealing with all the issues that plagued the last Rx-7, they probably figured it would be best to play it safe with four doors and none of the issues associated with a turbo--that way the car would appeal to both soccer moms and car enthusiasts. I can see that it's all a compromise. And I also don't see the big deal about the suspension mods. No matter how "sporty" a suspension package seems to be, I always find myself replacing it with the aftermarket anyway, which I imagine all you enthusiasts do anyway. No, this car isn't a super car, nor meant to compete with any of the fast cars out there. It's just there because a bunch of enthusiasts missed the rotary and Mazda actually listened and brought it back in a way that they felt would work this time. I would revel in its uniqueness, its aesthetics, and its handling and not worry about how much power the other guys are making. Look at the Ducati. Makes way less power than its Japanese rivals and it costs more than twice as much. But it's Italian, it's got soul and character. And boy, can it handle. Guess which one I'd rather own? Bottom line? You have a rotary. You have no torque. If you don't like it, move to Germany and drive the autobahn. Or sell it for an old Mopar with a 440. End of story.

Lots of rumors are shooting around that a twin turbo for 2007 is what I was told by someone at my dealer. So maybe that will solve everyone's whining and complaining.

I think the new RX-8 for the UK is pretty cool.
I don't think I like the brake light at the bottom in the middle of where the rear rotary accent would go.

I was told by a guy on the Internet that heard it from a dealer's best friend's wife, that it will be a triple turbo 20B like Abel drives :D:

:beer05:

i understand your point of view and i love my car but you say they made it to appeal to soccer moms well what about the 3 and the 6??? obviously Mazda had alot of time on there hands to develop a mazdaspeed version which includes a turbocharged 4 cylinder AWD setup. to me the RX serious was always meant to be a sports car and should always be a sports car. the rotary engine is in a league all on its own mazda developed the RX serious to appeal to race/sports enthusiasts just like how Nissan has the Skyline, Toyota had the Supra, and Honda has the NSX the RX serious was meant to hang with the big boys. thats why the FD3S was elite for mazda consider is was a 13b tt RWD beast!!! i think the mazdaspeed name should go to the RX8 because it deserves it. :ylsuper:

I think Mazda has done a pretty good job on the RX-8 for what it is. The car as a package is great. Supras handle like they look. You swing that big back end around the track. They are highway and dragstrip queens. The skyline was never brought here and the one they are going to release is going to be 80k to compete with Porsche's.

The Mazda Speed 6 is a FWD biased car with power sent to the rear wheels when the front wheels start to slip. It is a joke. Great for a family who wants a "sporty" car who lives where it snows. If it was a true sports car its AWD setup would have been vise-versa like the infamous Skyline or set up like my DSM or the EVO/STI's. I feel like it was a cheap attempt for them to enter the 4 door AWD market.

Those big boy cars come with a big boy price. And real sports car enthusiasts know you don't need to make alot of Hp to have a sports car. I can take an NSX on the street any day with my DSM. Even some RX-7's and Corvettes Put my butt on the track and that NSX will run circles around my DSM.

It will not stop anyone's whining because that isn't going to happen.

By the way, when comparing car prices, keep in mind that Britain's prices are higher than those in America. America has some of the lowest car prices in the world.

they pay more taxes so it equals out