Lots of great parts, but, sadly, no more power.
We recently drove an RX-8 equiped with bits from Mazdaspeed, the outlet for Mazda's own speed equipment, including $4,320 worth of bodywork trim. Other tweaks included springs ($305) that lower the ride height, new gas-pressure dampers ($490), strut tower braces ($440), and new antiroll bars ($595) that unfortunately seem to dial in more understeer. The car had a resilient, light footed highway ride, thanks to its lightweight 8.0 x 18-inch forged aluminuim wheels ($2560), which weigh just 176 pounds each. To save even more weight, step up to a set of forged magnesium wheels ($6860). Of course what the RX-8 really needs is more power, but there's no sign of it from Mazdaspeed, just a high-flow exhaust system ($750) and a lightweight aluminum flywheel ($620) that at least quickens engine response.
The Mazdaspeed RX-8 is not a formal model designation. Instead, it simply represents what can be built up from the Mazdaspeed parts catalog. This sales strategy underscores the fact that the fast-and-furious business is based largely on specialty parts, not specialty cars. Few young drivers can afford to buy and insure cars prepackaged with speed parts by the carmakers. What these drivers really want are aftermarket speed parts they can buy on the Web.
If a carmaker wants to succeed with young enthusiasts, it must build a car that's affordable, easy to insure, packed with performance potential, and supported by lots of aftermarket parts. The recipe hasn't changed since kids first began building speedsters out the Ford Model T in the 1920's.
From The October 04 issue of Automobile
We recently drove an RX-8 equiped with bits from Mazdaspeed, the outlet for Mazda's own speed equipment, including $4,320 worth of bodywork trim. Other tweaks included springs ($305) that lower the ride height, new gas-pressure dampers ($490), strut tower braces ($440), and new antiroll bars ($595) that unfortunately seem to dial in more understeer. The car had a resilient, light footed highway ride, thanks to its lightweight 8.0 x 18-inch forged aluminuim wheels ($2560), which weigh just 176 pounds each. To save even more weight, step up to a set of forged magnesium wheels ($6860). Of course what the RX-8 really needs is more power, but there's no sign of it from Mazdaspeed, just a high-flow exhaust system ($750) and a lightweight aluminum flywheel ($620) that at least quickens engine response.
The Mazdaspeed RX-8 is not a formal model designation. Instead, it simply represents what can be built up from the Mazdaspeed parts catalog. This sales strategy underscores the fact that the fast-and-furious business is based largely on specialty parts, not specialty cars. Few young drivers can afford to buy and insure cars prepackaged with speed parts by the carmakers. What these drivers really want are aftermarket speed parts they can buy on the Web.
If a carmaker wants to succeed with young enthusiasts, it must build a car that's affordable, easy to insure, packed with performance potential, and supported by lots of aftermarket parts. The recipe hasn't changed since kids first began building speedsters out the Ford Model T in the 1920's.
From The October 04 issue of Automobile
