Facelifted RX-8 Revealed

[bazooka joe]

after josh pointing out many of the design cues removed from the new 8, i think they lost a bit of the "character" of the car(uhm), but i still think it will sell!

 

[Reitrof]

after josh pointing out many of the design cues removed from the new 8, i think they lost a bit of the "character" of the car(uhm), but i still think it will sell!

Never really noticed them till you guys pointed them out yesterday

 

[Flash5]

That looks amazing...

 

[RODSCALIP5]

F***en right!, We get the Recaros baby!

 

[altspace]

Yea, it will sell. Not sure people are going to flock to it though. My guess sales will be the same.

Indeed it's all the little details of design that make it or break it.

 

[RODSCALIP5]

Im really thinking of selling the MS3 for this bad boy (nana)

 

[altspace]

Still waiting to see what the none RS version looks like.

 

[Antoine]

Putting everything in short the article says:

1) A variable red-zone added to the tachometer

2) Larger exhaust pipes (now measuring 90 mm across)

3) Adding a trapezoidal strut tower bar and enhancing the local rigidity of
the front suspension tower areas.

4) Rear suspension geometry has been reconfigured for better handling performance

5) Driveshaft rigidity is improved, lowering NVH levels and improving performance

6) Differential gear ratio on manual transmissions goes from 4.444 to 4.777 (7% shorter) for improved off-the-line performance

7) 6 speed manual version and 6 speed automatic will be available

8) Both with the exact-same power levels as current models

9) New R3 sport package with Bilstein shock absorbers and front suspension crossmembers filled with urethane foam. Filling the crossmembers makes for a smoother ride, minimized NVH and greater suspension control.

10) 19-inch forged aluminum-alloy wheels with high performance tires (for the R3 version)

11) Recaro sport seats for the R3 version

12) Sport package, Touring package and GT package will be available with some new goodies as automatic wipers, auto headlights, bluetooth hands free phone adaptor, electric drivers seat now with memory

Nice cliffnote action on that press release...As I was reading the release...I was thinking..."damn it...I wish someone would have just taken out the juicy bits"...lol...Thanks!

With all this detailed refinement...should be a very balanced and entertaining ride...Can't wait for first hand accounts from the Members...so who is going to trade in their MS3 or 8 first???

Ps...The looks are taking their sweet time to grow on me as I'm still a fan of the O.G. 8.

 

[Rogue]

I'm sure that new final gear is great for acceleration, but will probably hurt the MPG even more...

 

[ZoomZoomH]

I'm sure that new final gear is great for acceleration, but will probably hurt the MPG even more...

not if they make the 6th gear taller to balance out the shorter final drive.

and they DID change to a different transmission, now to find out the actual gear ratios of the tranny...

 

[altspace]

Nice cliffnote action on that press release...As I was reading the release...I was thinking..."damn it...I wish someone would have just taken out the juicy bits"...lol...Thanks!

With all this detailed refinement...should be a very balanced and entertaining ride...Can't wait for first hand accounts from the Members...so who is going to trade in their MS3 or 8 first???

Ps...The looks are taking their sweet time to grow on me as I'm still a fan of the O.G. 8.

Most welcome. (Now if only I could get paid for all this...hehe.)

I will most certainly head to the nearest dealer when they come in for a test drive. No plans on buying though as I love my cars style more for so many reasons.

 

[altspace]

With those wheels/tires and the 4.44 gearing:
Speed at 3500 RPM 15.7 26.0 35.9 49.7 59.0 70.0

With those wheels/tires and the 4.777 gearing:
Speed at 3500 RPM 14.6 24.2 33.4 46.2 54.9 65.1

Gear ratio required for 6th gear to have the same speed at 3500 RPM: .784 (vs .843 in the current tranny)
So, to be taller with that final drive, you'd have to be lower than .784.

 

[avarela86]

Very nice...dont dig the new headlights or front bumper. LLLOOOOVVVEE the new seats though. I can see myself picking up a set from an RX owner and moding them into the MP3 one day.

 

[altspace]

"Shockingly enough, Mazda did not want to spend much time today talking about the 2009 RX-8. Details on its new front fascia were left unsaid, and the new R3 sport package that adds Bilstein shocks, Recaro seats and urethane-filled suspension crossmembers was barely mentioned. So when a Mazda official told us after the press conference that the car was also 45 pounds lighter than before we were skeptical. Turns out the optional 19-inch wheels that come with the R3 package are actually lighter than the stock 18s. And apparently those Recaro seats are much lighter than stock. Combined with the new shorter rear end gear, this RX-8 might actually feel new from behind the wheel."

- Edmunds.com

 

[low_psi]

sooo hot.

 

[evilmonkeyMSP]

sounds promising

 

[fateexceeds]

my new dream car. hopefully I can afford to get my hands on one of the R3's when they come out.

 

[avarela86]

definitely will be robbing someone of their seats in the near future.

 

[Maxx Mazda]

'Bout time! That thing was way to "stumpy" before. Looks HOT now!

 

[Benfolio]

Spec deck is out:

OVERVIEW
Significantly refreshed with new technology features, engineering updates, enhanced exterior and interior
styling. A new RX-8 R3 model has been added to showcase the improved performance and styling of this vehicle

MODEL / SERIES / AVAILABILITY

�� New RX-8 R3 model


EXTERIOR CHANGES

�� 18" alloy wheel design
�� Front headlights
�� Front and rear bumpers
�� Rear LED taillights
�� Larger exhaust tips


RX-8 R3 model includes:
�� 19" forged alloy wheels
�� DSC w/Traction Control
�� Fog lights
�� Rear spoiler
�� Sporty front bumper
�� Stylish side sills
�� Xenon HID headlights

Grand Touring model includes:
�� Rain sensing wipers

INTERIOR CHANGES

�� Auxiliary audio jack
�� One-touch open/close front power windows with remote down functionality
�� Seat design
�� Steering wheel
�� Available enhanced Bose audio system with Centerpoint surround sound technology
RX-8 R3 model includes:
�� Auto dimming mirror with Homelink
�� Bluetooth hands free phone system
�� Bose audio system
�� Front Recaro sport seats with leather bolsters
�� Leather parking brake
�� Mazda advanced keyless entry system

Grand Touring model includes:
�� Auto on/off headlights
�� Automatic air conditioning
�� Bluetooth hands free phone system
�� Driver's seat memory (3 positions)
�� Leather parking brake

SAFETY
�� No change


FUNCTIONAL CHANGES

�� Improved body rigidity with structural reinforcement
�� Improved rear suspension geometry for better handling performance
�� Fuel tank capacity increased to 16.8 gallons
�� Manual transmission final gear ratio changes from 4.444 to 4.777 for improved performance
�� Improved access to the oil level dipstick
�� All manual transmission models receive a low exhaust pressure muffler

RX-8 R3 model includes:
�� Bilstein shock absorbers
�� Urethane foam injected front suspension cross member

PACKAGE / OPTION CHANGES

�� In-dash 7" LCD touch screen Navigation system (available on Grand Touring)
�� Premium package 1 includes: Bose audio system, moonroof and Sirius satellite radio
�� Premium package 2 includes: moonroof and Sirius satellite radio

COLOR & TRIM

�� Exterior Colors Added:
- Sparkling Black Mica (35N)
- Diamond Gray Metallic (38E)
- Aurora Blue Mica (34J) (RX-8 R3 model)

�� Exterior Colors Deleted:
- Galaxy Gray Mica (32S)
- Stormy Blue Mica (35J)

�� Interior Colors Added:
- Dune Beige Leather (FG5)
- Red Leather (FG6)
- Gray/Black Cloth/Leather (FG7) (RX-8 R3 model)

�� Interior Colors Deleted:
- Black/Red Leather (FF4)
- Sand Leather (FG0)