Hi, I'm new. Here's some facts.
1. The Mazdaspeed 6 does exist, but only overseas. (hell, it was in C&D last month)
2. It does make 280hp... which just happens to be the legal limit in japan.
3. That kind of hp IS realistic from a 2.3L that normally produces 160hp. Japan is full of high output turbo 4 bangers; where the emission laws and crash regulations are lower. Cars like the Subaru Legacy B4 (also 280hp), Nissan Skyline, and of course--the recently introduced here--Subaru WRX and Mitsubishi EVO.
4. The car IS awd. It is NOT built on the X-type platform. Where the hell did that come from? The X-type is based on the outgoing Ford Mondeo platform. There is no relation between the 2. In fact, Ford plans to release it's own car based on the 6 platform that will sell both here and abroad (maybe the next mondeo and X-type).
5. Most likely if a version of this car comes here it would not *bump* the RX-8. The RX-8 is a sports car. The 6 is a sedan. While Subie and Mitzu have tried to blur the 2, there is still a difference.
6. Not like the RX-8 is a big seller anyway...
Also, if a mazdaspeed 6 DOES come here it will most likely not be a 4. more likely a hotted-up version of the Duratech based V6 currently powering the highend 6's. It would likely retain the awd. BTW, years ago ford had discussed ideas for bringing back my beloved SHO as a Turbo V6 AWD monster, but obviously decided against it. Oh well, but the MS6 looks to be the closest thing we'll get to a cheap, high-output, mid-size sedan that can out-class a beamer. damn.