I think I am gonna cry all over again...

thanks for the scans downshift :)

So, is the staggered setup better or not?

Those are the specs from the NA MS RX8 that they are thinking about introducing to America. In the article itself they say it is an estimated 275 hp, & 200 lb.-ft. of torque.

Let us hope it is a typo because first of all those are not the stock rating, and second everything else in the column is listed for the mazdaspeed. It even lists the engine type right above the hp as two rotor supercharged rotary.

it was just a mistake or they were quoting the only HP MS numbers they had

Thanks a LOT for the scans!!!!

Sounds like it is a one off concept car. MazdaSpeed is still MazdaSpeed we used to know.

The only good thing is that they know there is potential in this car. When the RX-8 is racing with forced induction, I think then it is time to change over.

Force induction will be the future - just have to wait.

Remember my word: 5 years from now you will see a lot of modded RX-8 with turbo and supercharger with different sort. All with different set-up and all are reliable. Every want the car: MazdaSpeed, Mazda Supercharge or the base model to build it up yourself. There will be a facelift to go with the supercharged version. And the now supercharged current model RX-8 will become a rare classic.

R&T's SPEED mag featured Japan's MS RX-8 in their premier issue from last spring. I bet the typo in the specs sheet was because they were doing some cut and paste from their last issue's spec sheet and forgot to update this issue's HP & TORQUE figure to 275 hp/200 lb.

In the article itself, it clearly says 275 hp and 200 lbs of torque.

What I'm more worried about was Sam Mitani's conjecture that we could see something like this in the US Mazdaspeed RX-8 or possibly the next gen. RX-8. Next gen!!?? I can't wait that long!

P.S. I love the way the mazdaspeed logo is engraved in the side skirts, but the rear diffuser area still needs some work IMO.

Thanks for the great posts. If MS hears enough positive comments about this car, you can bet they will market it.

this is all great but I would rather see more info on a retro fit kit of the SC for my car or at least some hint from MNAO releasing a factory SC for the car.

hmmm .5 inch drop... sway bars on both ends... it sure as hell sounds like the racing beat suspension package to me... the MS coilovers are more of a drop then .5 inches. They must have used RB springs? and koni yellows? (since they say koni yellows are the best shocks with their springs)

It's great to see finally something from NAMO but the numbers really don't look that impresive. I just picked up the magazine a few hours ago, and the look of the car is nice, but estimated 275 bhp, and in the specification box on the left side of the article, it states est. 250 bhp.

I'm not so excited about a S/C RX8. I don't really like the fact that FI will be stressing the engine all of the time. I would rather have an easier control of boost, and when I wanted it, not all of the time.

But that's just what I would like, not what everyone will like.

Thanks to those few who left comments... a WHOLE 5!!! We're hoping to get a little more input for Mazda, from forum folks on this RX-8 and the story!

Please leave comments, good/bad at:

http://rotarynews.com/?q=node/view/466#comment


Cheers,

-Bern

This was the first I have heard of it.... Post a new thread and I am sure tons more people will sign up and leave comments..

I just did.

done... thanks for the idea!

-Bern

Ahhhh excellent..don't know where i've been for the last 2 weeks..how could i of missed this thread. MUAHAHAHA time to spend some overseas pay and get some FI..now if only it was for sale:( lol oh well it's great to see them doing it. Soon it wil be available..(if not MS then petit's or others wil bring them out). sweet time to drive fast around the twisties with 3 of my closest friends :D

Just read the magazine. Sounds like a nice car. Kind of conserative with an estimated 275hp and 200lb/ft. But that slight power bump combined with a shift in the powerband and a bunch ao suspension upgrades and the car sounds like its real easy to drive fast.

Oh, and I really like the side skirts.

Just picked it up myself today at lunch. I hope they are estimating conservatively this time, it needs to make +/- 300hp. Especially after reading the Crossfire/350Z S Tune/Boxster S comparison in the same issue.

where do i get mine :)))

I know!! I am going to go and look for it after work :)

I read that too and my sentiments exactly^. Crossfire SRT got 1st, Boxter S 2nd, 350z 3rd btw. Crossfire smoked both, go MB. But remember those are $50k cars not $30k.

You are right but cetrainly the MS 8 would probably not go for $30, probably more like $40 or something.

I highly doubt it, that's why the FD wasn't a huge seller. It's price point was there to compete with Porshe's and the like. If and when a FI RX-8 is set to market, I would expect it to start in the mid 30's.

I think somebody earlier stated they bought it at Barnes and Noble.

A V-6 is rumored for the MS3.

Rumor only.... turbo I-4 is the ticket! They already have it in the MS-6, why not use it for the MS-3?!?! ;)

-Bern

now that's funny :D

If they'd just go ahead and toss in AWD and a turbo on that 2.3L I will buy it when I get our next car. As for the SC'd RX-8, they are planning well to intro that car in '06 just about the point when most people are in "equity position" on their current cars and will have a tendency to trade more easily.

I know that I plan on keeping my 8 indefinitely. This car would be a great addition to the garage. I'm happy with the car in it's current state by more power and freshened looks are a must.

I'd like to see the car offered in an orange color that is close to the Lava Orange on the 6 and the 3.

Auto climate controls and nu-buck or suede seats would be kick ass as well.

Bern

Maybe you would like to point out to Mazda that APS have a Twinturboed a 350Z putting out 325kw and 525nm 280kw at the rear wheels this will hopefully get them to get the RX8 Mazdaspeed up to the same level :D or start loosing some potential customers for the mps RX8 .

cheers
michael

Michael, I have talked to APS yesterday that they will let Alan Horsley do it for a while. They are not keen on taking another project since they have not finished with the Z yet.

Taka

Taka

I got the information from the Motor magazine november issue where they implied that its a finished project , i would scan it but i dont know how nor do i have a scanner .
cheers
michael

Well they have to finialise the product before going on sale ... I think that is what he meant.

I was really impressed with the company - the office area and the workshop looks very pro. The only comparable thing I have seen is the Porsche garage in Porsche centre Melbourne.

Hmm I read the scanned article posted, and I feel that the 250 est crank horsepower should be a little higher considering the car is supercharged. I feel that I could more easily and more reliably obtain 250 hp without forced induction. I would like to see numbers closer to 300+.

where did you see the scanned article?

Page 14 or 15

Forgive my ingnorance, but what it APS??? And if it's Australian, what does it have to do with a RX-8 MazdaSpeed North America product? I doubt that a 350Z tuned to that level, would ever be sold here in the USA under the Nissan or Nismo banner.... so I see no worries for Mazda NA to loose potential clients to the APS 350Z.

I think that if Mazda Australia brings out their limited edition turbo RX-8, then there might be a nice duel in Oz ;)

-Bern

Bern
The company name is Air Power Systems run by Peter Luxon and the Twin turbocharger has been designed for both the USA and the Australian market , so the USA aftermarket will definetely be able to get the kit .

cheers
michael

We need more power.

$40 in 1995 is a lot different than $40 in 2008-2009. The FD was not a huge seller for a variety of reasons, only one of which was it's price.

hmmm i dont' care what decade you are living in....40k is a lot of money. But i suppose everyone has different definitions on what is or is not expensive

Everytime I ask someone who is oogling the car what they think the car costs, the inevitably say $40 or $50k. When I tell them that it was $28K (pre-order) they fall over in disbelief. Is 40k lots of cash, sure, but if the public already has a conception that the car is 40-50 anyway for a "base GT model", then a 39,999 price point for a sc hp version would be easy to set. IMHO

Realistically if Mazda priced the car under $40 grand I think it will be a seller. People pay almost $40 grand for a freaking Mustang Cobra.

For Christ's sake it's a Mustang they're like assholes, everybody's got one.

Ok, thank you for the clarification and info! So this is a aftermarket thing then... Well GReddy , HKS, and others already have FI kits here in the USA for the 350Z.

But a discussion of APS (aftermarket) vs. full OEM MazdaSpeed North America vehicles is apples and oranges... in this topic.


Cheers,

-Bern

Michael,

Like Bern said you are comparing Apples & Oranges.

1) The 350 Z has been out for 1 year longer than the Mazda RX8. I think by this
time next year you will have several kits out for the RX8. The 350Z does have
several aftermarket kits available to it including the HKS Rotrex, Vortech SQ, ATI
Procharger, Greddy twin turbo all putting out about 325 whp. What is
interesting is that HKS has come out in their test and said they could get
another 100 hp from their kit with a full exhaust & turning up the boost, but the
VQ engine can not handle it. At about 350 WHP major engine strenthening
needs to be done. The RX 8 will have the Speed Force Racing Turbo kit out
soon preliminary #'s will be around 300 whp & 200+ lb.ft. torque at the wheels.
Somebody pointed out that Greddy may be making a kit for our car. Petit
Racing, & Blitz are looking to introduce superchargers.

2) Almost no factory tuner FI unit will ever match an aftermarket tuner hp. The
simple reason is that they need to work under the manufacturer's warranty.
If you see an SC'ed MS RX8, chances are the hp will be around 275-280 hp. If
you have ever checked out all the factory tuners/manufacturers you will see
their units usually have less hp than some of the aftermarket tuners. From
SC'ers from TRD, to MS Miatas, etc you usually see a 40 hp gain, when
aftermarket tuners claim/produce 2X that. The tuners are on the edge of that
engines potential, and if you blow the engine, you are SOL. Many times the
tuners warranty their parts against defects, but not the manufacturer's parts
(i.e the engine), while the factory tuners do. If you blow up the engine they
cover it under warranty (if you did not race it, or something like that). The only
time I have seen an aftermarket tuner cover the engine was Stillen, but even
then they offered that under their Stage 2 (not their more aggressive stage 3)
kit, and it cost several hundreds of $. Many people on the 350Z board have
speculated on a Nismo SC'er, but the #'s would be about 50-60 hp, not the
100 that several aftermarket tuners have acheived.

Fanman

Thanks for your interesting input . :D

cheers
michael

All that talk of power is nice but how about a different body type.
There was talk about a RX-8 Coupe and making the MS RX-8 a coupe would give it a (hopefully) lower weight.

Combine that lower weight with a firmer suspension and more hp from a NA rotary would be nice. I myself would prefer a NA engine over FI but if they cant get the NA rotary to around 275 hp, then I would prefer FI.

hmmm... Just remember, the RX8 we all drive now started out at 250 hp... This would be great, but I'm not counting on it making production. Even if it did, I don't see enough people spending that kind of money on it. If they can get 50 - 75 more horespower and 40-50 ft/lbs of torque for about 3-4,000, then I could see it happening. I am expecting the fact that it has a "Super Charger" on it to raise the price 7k, but probably only 25 hp. One more question... what are they going to do to the motor to help turn that super charger? Everyone knows that a Super Charger is going to lug the motor at take off.

Don't mean to sound so negative, just had some thoughts.

Where to buy "Speed" magazine?
 

Does anyone know which stores carry it? (It was not in my local Albertson's.)

Thanks.

I got my Speed mag at borders book store.