Mazda unveils Prodrive RX-8!

[Antoine]

Mazda unveils Prodrive RX-8

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Mazda Motors UK unveiled Monday a limited edition RX-8 coupe for the U.K. market. Developed jointly with legendary motorsports company Prodrive, the Mazda Rx-8 PZ is an appearance and handling upgrade for the 230 hp RX-8.

According to Mazda, Prodrive was tasked with creating a more involving driving experience, with enhanced ride and handling. Unique PZ features include:

• 18-inch OZ Racing alloy wheels
• Eibach springs, 60 percent stiffer than stock
• Bilstein gas shocks
• revised suspension geometry, with ride height reduced 15 mm
• sport mirrors
• grill inserts
• rear spoiler
• Prodrive and "PZ" badging

While Mazda hasn't released any road test figures for the RX-8 PZ, the cornering shots of the PZ "at speed" (as they say in the motoring press) after the jump show minimal body roll. Only 800 lucky U.K. drivers will get their hands on Prodrive's version of the RX-8, and no exports to other markets are planned. The MSRP for the PZ before taxes is 21,912 (about $40,614). The nicely done, if a little pricey, RX-8 PZ goes on sale July 1.

More pics after the jump...

[Source: Mazda Motors Europe]

While Mazda hasn't released any road test figures for the RX-8 PZ, the above cornering shots of the PZ "at speed" (as they say in the motoring press) show minimal body roll.

Only 800 lucky U.K. drivers will get their hands on Prodrive's version of the RX-8, and no exports to other markets are planned. The MSRP for the PZ before taxes is 21,912 (about $40,614). The nicely done, if a little pricey, RX-8 PZ goes on sale July 1.

[Source: Mazda Motors Europe]

 

[Breeegz]

me likey

 

[JOMO]

looks good.

 

[REMillers]

We've been talking about this for a awhile at the 8 forums and it is nice though we still want them to play with the power!

Though gotta to admit it does look nice, I'm liking the mirrors. But we also want to see some of the interior.

 

[Newf]

looks really good but how many special edition appearance packages do we need on the rx-8? Seems like every few months there is another one. I'm not complaining, as choice is always better, but I'm with you guys on the power comments.

 

[Renesis Rising]

my god....renesis is now drooling.....

 

[Hughes412]

40k is way to much, you can have all the handling you want but with you the balls to back it up what good is it. If they would up it to 300+hp, o it in red, well lets just say I'd own one.(glare)

 

[Kansei]

40k is way to much, you can have all the handling you want but with you the balls to back it up what good is it. If they would up it to 300+hp, o it in red, well lets just say I'd own one.(glare)

40k is the price it is sold for in the UK though, where cars seems to be much more expensive.

I think it looks really good, especially the rear spoiler.

 

[warrier04]

car looks really nice.

they need to start doing some performace packages as opposed to just suspension and some external enhancements.

 

[KYLiquid]

why cant people understand, the car is at 100% power output to be street legal and attractive to the general public.

Not everyone wants a big loud exhaust, or a buzzing intake when they step on the gas.

Lets say the mazdaspeed line for the rx8 got bigger with more 'power' parts.....even if they made the same power as the best parts on the market, a cat-back, intake, header would give you maby 10whp on this car....the stock parts are already VERY good.

If you dont care about the car being street legal, you can get another 5whp with NO catalytic converter and maby 10-15whp more with a fully tuned ECU.

So even with all the parts you can get for the car, your looking at maby 25 whp increase for about 5k in cash.

Other than FI (turbo or super charger) there isnt much power to be made and Mazda isnt going to mess with turbo on the car for emissions reasons....so count that out.......maby they might do something super charged, but I think they will save that for the next RX7 or whatever the coupe rotary will be.

Dont blame Mazda for no turbo, blame the EPA, and your government, i think emissions laws are good, but if you dont, mazda is just following the rules that are setup by the US and other goverements.

 

[altspace]

Love it, but why not sell these packages in US?

 

[warrier04]

why not mess with a turbo? that's what the mazdaspeed line is.

and 'power parts' doesn't have to mean a full catless exhaust with a buzzing intake.

an STi has power. an MS6 has power. neither has a buzzing intake or annoying exhaust.

and why couldn't they do a factory retune for more power? seems feasible. i bet some chunk of RX owners would look into it.

 

[KYLiquid]

why not mess with a turbo? that's what the mazdaspeed line is.

and 'power parts' doesn't have to mean a full catless exhaust with a buzzing intake.

an STi has power. an MS6 has power. neither has a buzzing intake or annoying exhaust.

and why couldn't they do a factory retune for more power? seems feasible. i bet some chunk of RX owners would look into it.

did you read my post? they are not going to look into turbo its to much trouble on the rotary with emissions systems. MABEY a supercharger....if it ever went FI.

as far as power parts, I didnt mean that all parts that make power have to be loud or make an anoying sound. I was just saying that if you take the BEST OF THE BEST parts for the RX8, all the bolt-ons and ECU tuning you are looking at a best of about 25whp.

Mazda wouldnt even do that good with this motor cause they will always make it more conservative than an after market tuner would do. Running this motor out to about 13.5 AFR accross the board under load will give you the most power and also starting to run the risk of engine damage from being lean. Mazda wouldnt do that cause they cant be sure the quality of fuel and conditions each car would be in.....

The car wont get any more than maby 10-15 whp more from mazda with this motor unless it gets FI from a supercharger.

You cant compare the RX8 to the MS6 or STI.....they are 2 differnt cars, and they are turbo. I can tell you the the RX8 with the greddy turbo kit (tuned with the x-interceptor and supporting parts) is making about 400hp at the crank and 330hp at the wheels, and close to 300tq. Thats a HUGE jump from stock, but those cars wouldnt be able to be sold as new from mazda cause of emissions and emissions systems life.

 

[KYLiquid]

why not mess with a turbo? that's what the mazdaspeed line is.

what do you mean, not ever mazdaspeed car is turbo, the mazdaspeed rx8 is much faster around a race track than the stock rx8 with no turbo. The old R spec miatas are as fast around a race track as the turbo mazdaspeed miata.

The turbo mazdaspeed cars are more for the american 'power hungry' market than anything else. LOTS of mazdspeed (race cars) have been NA. The Mazdaspeed line is about ALL AROUND performance increase.

 

[smo0f]

way too much for a slow car

 

[SP33D]

yea it's pretty nice.. but you're paying like $14,000 extra for about $4000 in upgrades

 

[sanblaster]

40K = evo or sti or 350z or a lot more HP My 2 pennies.