Rumored Demise of the RX-8
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Rumored Demise of the RX-8
Discuss:
from Autoblog:
from Autoblog:
Mazda RX-8 to exit U.S. market after 2011 model year?
by Jeremy Korzeniewski (RSS feed) on May 5th 2010 at 12:31PM
According to "a well placed source at Mazda's North American Operations," Motor Trend is reporting that the aging RX-8 is set to exit stage left here in the States after the 2011 model year. As it is, the rotary-powered sportscar is slated to see the European guillotine at the same time due to its inability to meet Euro V emissions standards.
There are a number of issues that all manufacturers that have chosen to borrow the rotary engine design from Felix Wankel have had to deal with, not the least of which have been poor fuel efficiency, comparatively high exhaust emissions and excessive oil consumption. It seems that these same long-running plagues may kill off yet another fun-to-drive rotary-powered model from Mazda.
Mazda has not made any formal announcements as to the death of the RX-8 or the rebirth of the perennially rumored RX-7 revival. That said, we'd be more than a little shocked if Mazda didn't renew its commitment to the high-revving, barrel-shaped rotary engine wrapped up in some sort of innovative package within the next few model years. We'll see.
by Jeremy Korzeniewski (RSS feed) on May 5th 2010 at 12:31PM
According to "a well placed source at Mazda's North American Operations," Motor Trend is reporting that the aging RX-8 is set to exit stage left here in the States after the 2011 model year. As it is, the rotary-powered sportscar is slated to see the European guillotine at the same time due to its inability to meet Euro V emissions standards.
There are a number of issues that all manufacturers that have chosen to borrow the rotary engine design from Felix Wankel have had to deal with, not the least of which have been poor fuel efficiency, comparatively high exhaust emissions and excessive oil consumption. It seems that these same long-running plagues may kill off yet another fun-to-drive rotary-powered model from Mazda.
Mazda has not made any formal announcements as to the death of the RX-8 or the rebirth of the perennially rumored RX-7 revival. That said, we'd be more than a little shocked if Mazda didn't renew its commitment to the high-revving, barrel-shaped rotary engine wrapped up in some sort of innovative package within the next few model years. We'll see.
not surprised one bit by this, the RX-8's run is nearing it's 7-8 year life cycle.
contrary to the article, it's not being 'killed off' by issues, it's simply getting outdated and ready for something new.
contrary to the article, it's not being 'killed off' by issues, it's simply getting outdated and ready for something new.
That rumor has been around a while, and while it does get more and more likely as time passes, every discussion devolves into a discussion around 16x.
And yet another unwashed unenlightened individual calling "Excessive oil consumption" a problem without recognizing that it was designed to burn oil, and part of the problem with the series 1 engines is that it doesn't use enough. And complaining about gas mileage that is actually comparable or above average for most sports cars.
Most Porsches get worst mileage and burn more oil (not be design), but they don't get that same lame old comment every time.
And yet another unwashed unenlightened individual calling "Excessive oil consumption" a problem without recognizing that it was designed to burn oil, and part of the problem with the series 1 engines is that it doesn't use enough. And complaining about gas mileage that is actually comparable or above average for most sports cars.
Most Porsches get worst mileage and burn more oil (not be design), but they don't get that same lame old comment every time.
jersey fresh
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Momentum Keeps Me Going
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To paraphrase my own dealer's comments on the matter last time I was in...
"If they aren't going to tell anyone about it, advertise it, or market it...I wish they'd just pull the plug. People have never heard of the car for crying out loud, customers come in and say, 'What's that...?'. If they knew about it then they might buy it, but it's a pain to have to stock it when the chances of selling any are slim to none."
"If they aren't going to tell anyone about it, advertise it, or market it...I wish they'd just pull the plug. People have never heard of the car for crying out loud, customers come in and say, 'What's that...?'. If they knew about it then they might buy it, but it's a pain to have to stock it when the chances of selling any are slim to none."
tjb
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From: Louisiana
Thing with the RX8, it's versatilty had it being compared to all sorts of cars...Audi, 350Z, Shelby GT, Lotus, Boxster..list goes on. I always hated that fact.
Oil and gas...blah blah blah. For the price though I still can't think of one car that could top the handling, braking, looks, ergonomics, and general ride of the car even today. I hope Mazda can do it again but it's going to be difficult to go any higher without a serious engineering breakthrough.
Oil and gas...blah blah blah. For the price though I still can't think of one car that could top the handling, braking, looks, ergonomics, and general ride of the car even today. I hope Mazda can do it again but it's going to be difficult to go any higher without a serious engineering breakthrough.
Registered
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To paraphrase my own dealer's comments on the matter last time I was in...
"If they aren't going to tell anyone about it, advertise it, or market it...I wish they'd just pull the plug. People have never heard of the car for crying out loud, customers come in and saying 'What's that...?'. If they knew about it then they might buy it, but it's a pain to have to stock it when the chances of selling any a slim to none."
"If they aren't going to tell anyone about it, advertise it, or market it...I wish they'd just pull the plug. People have never heard of the car for crying out loud, customers come in and saying 'What's that...?'. If they knew about it then they might buy it, but it's a pain to have to stock it when the chances of selling any a slim to none."
tjb
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 877
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From: Louisiana
[yet it never gets mentioned at the end of the day as "beating" any of them. jack of all trades, master of none]
Car and Driver Jun 2007
#1 RX8
2 TT
3 350Z
4 Shelby
It basically won the jack of all trades award
Car and Driver Jun 2007
#1 RX8
2 TT
3 350Z
4 Shelby
It basically won the jack of all trades award
Last edited by tjbourgoyne; May 5, 2010 at 01:17 PM.
Registered
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From: SF Bay Area
Another similar story:
http://wot.motortrend.com/6642523/au...-us/index.html
http://wot.motortrend.com/6642523/au...-us/index.html
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 21,958
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From: portland oregon
well ill just say this- the idea that the RX-8 was dead started right here in this forum in 2004 about 6 months after the cars started delivery. every year since then there have been threads throughout the year entitled "no more rx-8 after this year" threads about sales have been filled with posts saying it can't survive for another year or somesuch . and every year we have dragged out next years specs/changes etc and said " you know if you keep calling for its end long enough eventually you'll be right"
Another similar story:
http://wot.motortrend.com/6642523/au...-us/index.html
http://wot.motortrend.com/6642523/au...-us/index.html
beard (Today 09:07 AM)
In related news, US oil sales expected to plummet.
RX Lectriod from Planet 8
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From: Atlanta, Ga.
All cars “die” at some point or another and 7 years for a car like the 8 is very good.
Plus as was said before here and elsewhere, it is close to the end of life cycle to make room for either a new 7 or a new 8/9.
Ford finally has a 300 hp V6 after all these years in their Mustang but Mazda did what it could with the series II 8 but without a new engine [16X] or a turbo you just cannot get too much more out of it.
Also as a former Mazda 6 owner I remember when all of the car ragazines loved the 6 but after a few years the same magazines started to trash the car for everything they once loved.
Such is life with cars....
Plus as was said before here and elsewhere, it is close to the end of life cycle to make room for either a new 7 or a new 8/9.
Ford finally has a 300 hp V6 after all these years in their Mustang but Mazda did what it could with the series II 8 but without a new engine [16X] or a turbo you just cannot get too much more out of it.
Also as a former Mazda 6 owner I remember when all of the car ragazines loved the 6 but after a few years the same magazines started to trash the car for everything they once loved.
Such is life with cars....
Administrator
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From: portland oregon
BEST COUPE 2006...
1. Aston Martin V8 Vantage
2. BMW M6
3. MAZDA RX-8
4. Corvette V6
'03-'04 Car of The Year Japan: 10 Best Cars Nov, 2003 Car of The Year Japan (COTY) Organisation Japan
'03-'04 Car of The Year Japan; Most Fun Prize Nov, 2003 Car of The Year Japan (COTY) Organisation Japan
10 Best Cars 2004 Dec, 2003 CAR AND DRIVER Magazine United States
2003 Nikkei Superior Products and Services Awards - Nikkei Business Daily Awards for Superiority Jan, 2004 Nihon Keizai Shimbun, Inc Newspaper Japan
2003-2004 Autobytel Car of The Year Jan, 2004 Autobytel Japan Co. Company Japan
2003-2004 Good Design Award (G-mark) Oct, 2003 Japan Industrial Design Promotion Organisation (JI Organisation Japan
All Star, Best Coupe Feb, 2004 Automobile Magazine United States
Best New Sports/Performance Vehicle (Canadian Car of the Year Award) Dec, 2003 Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC Association Canada
Best Sports Car Feb, 2004 CNN money Website United States
Best Sports Car under $57,000 (Australia's Best Cars Awards) Dec, 2003
Australia's Best Cars Awards Organisation Australia
Car of the Year Feb, 2004 Driver Magazine New Zealand
Car of The Year Oct, 2003 Car Top Magazine Japan
Car Sensor 2003-'04 U-Car of the Year -Sedan Category Jan, 2004 Car Sensor U-Car of the Year committee Website Japan
Coche des Vanguardia 2004 Apr, 2004 Motor Mudial Magazine Spain
Consumers' Most Wanted Vehicles 2004:Most Significant Vehicle of the Year (2nd Place) Jun, 2004 Edmunds.com Website United States
Coupe Car of the Year Apr, 2004 BBC Top Gear Magazine United Kingdom
Golden Clay Trophy - Japan Car Design Award Jan, 2004 Car Styling Magazine Japan
Japan Automobile Hall of Fame: 2004 Most Excellent Developer Award Oct, 2003 Committee of Japan Automobile Hall of Fame (JAHFA) Organisation Japan
King of Car Award; Special Prize Dec, 2003 Sports Nippon Newspaper Japan
Playboy Car of the Year 2004 Mar, 2004 Playboy Magazine Hungary
Queensland Car Of The Year award Dec, 2003 The Courier-Mail Newspaper Australia
RJC Car of The Year 2004 Nov, 2003 The Automotive Researchers' & Journalists' confere Organisation Japan
What Car? Car of the Year2004; Best Coupe Category Jan, 2004 What Car Magazine United Kingdom
WHEELS Car Of The Year 2003 Jan, 2004 Wheels Magazine Australia
2007 RX-8 Voted the favorite over the Audi TT, Nissan 350Z, Ford Shelby GT.
http://www.caranddriver.com/comparis...azda-rx-8.html
Motor Trend.. America's Best Handling Car
Final Results:
1. Audi R8
2. Nissan GTR
3. BMW M3
4. MAZDA RX-8 R3
5. Porsche 911 Turbo
AutoExpress Performance Car of the Year 2008, From England
1 Nissan GT-R
2 Porsche Cayman S
3 MINI JCW
4 BMW M3 Coupe
5 Lamborghini LP560-4
6 Renaultsport Clio Cup
7 Mercedes SL63 AMG
8 Mazda RX-8 R3
9 Audi TT S
10 Porsche 911 GT2
and then there are Speed Source and Jason Isley, Jason Saini Eric Meyer and Team RX-8 etc etc etc who have made beating the competition a regular occurence.
Wiseguy
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,084
Likes: 37
From: Italy
my two cents (or euro-cents 
):
next year here comes the new Mx-5 and in a new platform (if rumors are true) , maybe is not possible to produce TOGETHER mx-5 with new plat. and rx-8 with the old one...
hence...cut rx-8. 2012 maybe will come the next rotary car....
):next year here comes the new Mx-5 and in a new platform (if rumors are true) , maybe is not possible to produce TOGETHER mx-5 with new plat. and rx-8 with the old one...
hence...cut rx-8. 2012 maybe will come the next rotary car....
Last edited by MattMPS; May 5, 2010 at 03:25 PM.
Momentum Keeps Me Going
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Posts: 5,036
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From: Colorado
well ill just say this- the idea that the RX-8 was dead started right here in this forum in 2004 about 6 months after the cars started delivery. every year since then there have been threads throughout the year entitled "no more rx-8 after this year" threads about sales have been filled with posts saying it can't survive for another year or somesuch . and every year we have dragged out next years specs/changes etc and said " you know if you keep calling for its end long enough eventually you'll be right"
So year after year after year after year .... the specs came out with nothing - as in N-O-T-H-I-N-G - to show for performance improvements, even cosmetic improvements were assinine and useless lipstick, for 6 years (until 2009 and then anyone without a degree in engineering can't appreciate those bits). And in 2009 aside from a few bends of a fender, and not much else that a typical consumer cares about, did Mazda REALLY expect anyone to jump up and down and buy this underpowered, overpriced, momentum car of the showroom floor in the 10s of thousands? If so, now they know....they were totalyy clueless
WE, the people who spend money, the people on this forum, calling for change that was completely needed, and stupidly ignored, are NOT TO BLAME for this car's demise....