Preview - Edmunds.com First Drive
 

http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/roadt...1/article.html

Edmunds Highlights:

"Mazda estimates the RX-8 will get 20 percent better mileage in the city than the RX-7 did. Exact figures are yet to be determined, but current estimates put the engine at 18-19 mpg in the city and 23-24 mpg on the highway. "
RX-7 Manual: 17 mpg / 25 mpg, +20% would be 20.4 mpg / ~25-30 mpg.

"...the new engine will produce 250 peak horsepower and 160 peak pound-feet of torque while offering a redline of 9,000 rpm"

"...but Mazda told us a 210-horsepower version of the Renesis, mated to a five-speed automatic, would come on line a few months after the RX-8 hits U.S. showrooms in summer 2003."

"...0.3 coefficient of drag."

"Total vehicle weight was not disclosed during our advanced drive of the RX-8, but Mazda officials told us it should undercut the new 350Z by around 250 pounds..."
350 Z weights: 3,188 3,197 3,217 3,247 3,225 lbs thus 2938 to 2997 lbs

"We liked the optitronic gauge cluster lighting that changes from white to red when the headlights are switched on, but we were disappointed that an analog speedometer was nowhere to be found."

"It tends to understeer slightly when driven at the limit, but it's nothing a bit of throttle can't fix."


I find it odd that even after an invitation by Mazda to drive the car at Miyoshi the information reported by the press varies so greatly. One report claims x hp and x torque, another y. One reports weight, another says it wasn't revealed. One says 4spd auto, another 5spd. Seems these journalists embelish or create stats. What is the deal?
Mazda could easily put all this to rest by announcing now. I know the press drove "pre-production" cars and things could change, but come on... Why have press preview it on Nov. 15th, then wait until mid Jan to announce it, and May/June to sell it?
What is taking so long to get this car out?!?

I didn't see DYT's post, he must have posted while I was writing mine. Sorry for the dup.