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Confirmed MY-2011 RX-8 will be the last
Submitted by Dan Mazzella on Thursday, May 6, 2010 - 11:03am

RotaryNews.com has confirmed the MY-2011 (Model Year 2011) RX-8 will be the last. What this means is there will be another gap when Mazda will have no Rotary Powered car in the US market.

There will be no Tokyo Autoshow this year for passenger cars, as 2010 is a commercial vehicle show., nor have we heard of a project car for the LA or Detroit autoshow. What this means is at the earliest, the RX-7 concept could be shown at the 2011 Tokyo Autoshow, in October 2011. Mazda still has to sort out issues with the 16x, so it could 2012-2013 at the earliest before the next Rotary Sports Car hits the streets.

The silver lining in the end of the RX-8 could mean a special edition, if the end of the RX-7 series, and different Mazda models are any guide. At the end of the 2nd generation RX-7, Mazda produced the Infini model with upgraded suspension, increased horsepower, special edition BBS wheels, a bumper kit, and a lightened body. With the end of the 3rd generation, Mazda produced the immortal "Spirit-R." At the end of other model lines, Mazda produced the Mazdaspeed MX-5 Miata at the end of the NB second generation Miata line. The end of the Protegé line, Mazda produced the Protegé MP3 and Mazdaspeed Protege with a turbocharged engine, Racing Beat suspension, and improvements all around. With all this history, we at RotaryNews hope and are pushing for a Mazdaspeed RX-8 to be released by Mazda, with a Factory Forced Induction RENESIS minimum, special body kit, and special lightened parts.

Tell us what you want to see from Mazda in the last RX-8 and beyond.
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subject:
the RX-8 is a new power beast
author:
date:
June 21, 2010 - 11:55pm
the RX-8 is a new power beast and sure is the best car that will come out in its league
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subject:
Take the current R3 and add O
author:
date:
May 14, 2010 - 11:01am
Take the current R3 and add OldDragger's comments:

No turbo---use a low boost supercharger (5-6lbs) with a air water intercooler, this will get the power up to 260-270 at the wheels and tq near 200.
Drop the 9K redline to 7.5 or 8K
Drop the 4.44 diff gear in.
Real gauges are needed.
Drop the guarantee to 5 yrs 50K for this MS model.
Sell it for $35,000

Keep the exterior as-is, possibly a variation to differentiate, but nothing over-the-top.
Keep the rest of the interior as is, no need for "sport seats" in the back.
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subject:
Ready for a real suggestion?
author:
date:
May 13, 2010 - 8:01pm
I have to say there are a lot of moronic comments here. Do a turbo, do a 3 rotor, the real rotor heads ignored the rx8 because it was trash. GTFO.

I liked my RX8 for a lot of reasons. I understand it's at the end of its product cycle, sales have stagnated.

One guy came close to a cheap & easy solution as a stopgap for Mazda but again went to pie in the sky.

Want to do it cheap and fun? Put a 13b RENESIS in a 2600 lb. 2 seater Kabura. I loved that prototype and so did a lot of other people.

You've got the powerplant, you've got the chassis, you've got the prototype of the car. Do it. Build it. Parts bin car becomes cheap. No more development money. Put the parts together, do some drivability testing and ship it. There will be a line around the block to buy that car.

I don't know why you let Hyundai and BMW and possibly Toyota beat you to the punch on the small RWD box of fun, but none of them have gotten it right yet. Do it right and blow them all out of the water.
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subject:
eh ??
author:
date:
May 14, 2010 - 2:08pm
Hey, my subject DID SAY "wishful thinking." I also agree that Mazda has completely dropped the ball in the sub 2600 lb RWD coupe sports car category. They have been so busy chasing Honda, Toyota and Nissan that they abandoned their niche and now have to play catch up. Like the Miata, they should have been the FIRST to do it and left all the others scratching their heads.

While I (and everyone else) loved the Kabura concept, it is still just a concept and would still require boatloads of investment to make it street worthy.

That's why my suggestion was to combine the *PROVEN* RX-8 chassis and MZR engine pieces into something truly worthy of the $35k price tag. (Even though I would prefer the rotary).
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subject:
( THE BUCKET LIST ) Going out with a big BANG! Future rotary.
author:
date:
May 10, 2010 - 8:55pm
*** after reading some of the comments after me, a turbo or supercharger is wrong.

1 - Increase the compresion ration to 10.5 to deliver 200 whp or higher.(rx8 has 232hp but 175 to 192 at the wheels)

2 - Play with rpm and gear ratio to get better fuel economy (like OldDragger posted)

3 - Weight: below 2900 lbs

4 - Strip the car down to bare bones; offer no packages; no plush interiors; no pretty wheels; no non functional spoilers. (leave that to the after market)

5 - Sell for below the price of an entry level 2010 RX8.

6 - Become the car every blog, magazine and editor raves about.

7 - R.I.P. 2004 - 11 RX8 !!

The next rx7 maybe too risky in this delicate market. It makes no sense to compete with Nissan GTR or Porsche right now.

Mazda:
As far as a new rotary car. Keep the 13b renesis alive. Add some of the technology that you've developed so far with 16x to the 13b. Make higher compression rotors and change nothing. Or just put the Renesis as is in a compact car.

Bring back the RX2 in a Mazda 2, or the RX3 in a Mazda 3 platform with an updated 13b and you'll have a winner. Since the platform is already in production, the chassis, drive train and suspension will be the only R&D to be done. You will have a 2 door - 4 seater or 4 door - 4 seater like the RX8. The car can sell for below 20k.

16x:
The 13b renesis can hold its own for few. Take your time and spread out the cost of developing the 16x. Continue the R&D on the race track too. Build a Porche GT3 Cup competitor with the 2002 FD chassis and race it at LeMans and the Grand Am Rolex series until you can justify building a "Halo" car. You can gauge public perception and judge the demand for it.
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subject:
Last RX-8 and beyond..
author:
date:
May 10, 2010 - 2:19pm
I would love to see a speed8 with a supercharger because it is such a fun car to drive already. Extra power would be sweet! Infact, I love mine so much i dont want to see to many changes in the next generation... I really like having the backseat so I can use it more often. I hope they keep it a practical sports car that is fun to drive and not a car that looks good on paper but isnt all that great to drive.. 350z anyone??
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subject:
Wishful thinking
author:
date:
May 8, 2010 - 12:26pm
I have been a die-hard Mazda fans for years - ever since I saw the FD on the December 1991 cover of Road & Track. But, they are seriously testing my loyalty and patience these days. Just like Subaru, they are slowly abandoning their core audience in order to peddle some boring, overweight slushboxes.

I hate to say it. But, until Mazda decides to man up and get back to their roots, they are not getting any more of my money. End of story. Mazda, are you listening ????? Probably not.

After countless RX-7's, an RX-8, MX-6's, Millenias, etc I currently own a used MS3. While I agree that the MS3 is a more practical automobile it still cannot compare to the overall package of the RX-8. The MS3 is popular, but it is not that well built (squeaks, rattles, broken mounts, blown struts and smoking turbos - need I say more) and is not even close to a driver's car.

Mazda already has all the ingredients for a great car in production right now. However, none of those ingredients exist all together in one car. While I am a rotor head and I prefer the RENESIS engine, one can't deny the potency and economy of the MZR engine.

Take the RX-8 platform, rename the car (MX-8 perhaps), tweak the setup and drop your direct injection monster of an engine in it and call it a day. Can you imagine the possibilites of the MZR in a RWD car. No more detuning, no more torque steer, no more heavy AWD pigs. Just, the best chassis made in the last decade with a powerful, fuel efficient engine easily capable of 300+ hp/tq and 30+ mpg highway.

That will shut us all up for a few more years. You can continue to sell a "flagship" sports car while you sort out all of the issues with the rotary and place it into a proper small, sub 2600 lb chassis.

One other thing: You know the old mantra - "win on sunday, sell on monday"? Well, if Mazda would actually give us a street version of the NA 20B from there race-winning cars, then we could actually make that saying come true again.
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subject:
Kabura?
author:
date:
May 8, 2010 - 4:44am
The RX8 is a wonderful car, though it would've been even better had Mazda kept the size and (more importantly) the weight closer to that of the RX-01.

Hopefully, Mazda will combine the 16X with the Kabura's low weight, shorter wheelbase, and 3+1 layout.
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subject:
Tuning!
author:
date:
May 7, 2010 - 9:35pm
Since we're dreaming here - how about opening the PCM to allow us to tune it ourselves or at least sell us a tool to do it :) Full tuning of fuel and timing and maf scaling :) :)
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subject:
i'll be realistic here and un
author:
date:
May 7, 2010 - 6:58pm
i'll be realistic here and understand if forced induction is out of the question, at least for the US. i do wish they do a special edition nevertheless. my wish would be a club racer, maybe one equipped like the nr-a special models in japan
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subject:
Just one thing...........
author:
date:
May 7, 2010 - 11:27am
I'm with zoom44 in this one, since we are dreaming and whatnot. I say put an NA 20b in a R3 package and call it a day.
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subject:
it would not take much
author:
date:
May 7, 2010 - 10:53am
I have one that was built in Jul 03. I have ran this car a lot. I have done many things to it and I think i understand a little of it.
Its really sad Mazda does not see the potential they have here. Or at least they are not acknowledging it.
I t would not take much to make the RX8 a ledgend and a seller. The present 09/10 models are ok, many problems solved. All Mazda has to do is to stir the pot and get peoples attention again.
No turbo---use a low boost supercharger (5-6lbs, simplier system) with a air water intercooler, this will get the power up to 260-270 at the wheels and tq near 200. Drop the 9K redline to 7.5 or 8K,(those higher rpms are a killer) drop the 4.44 diff gear in (thats right) and then 70mph is only 3.2K and 25 mpg is really doable. The 09 trans has a true overdrive 6th gear but 3-4-5 is really sweet and with the additional power the final drive ratio can be more fuel efficentcy oriented.
Course real gauges are needed. Drop the guarantee to 5 yrs 50K for this MS model. Sell it for $35,000 and bingo ---the excitement will be back.
You will have a mid 5sec 0-60mph car that on track will keep up with some of the more track rated monsters. Mazda would get magazine exposure out the wazso and Zoom-Zoom would take on a new meaning.
Years ago I know Mazda tried a supercharged prototype, but over the years a lot has been learned about this engine that wasnt known then.
Yes it would pass emissions in the states.
The 8 is too great of a design and chassis to let die.
olddragger
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subject:
3 rotor!
author:
date:
May 7, 2010 - 8:11am
You probably cant do it for just one final run but instead of the Turbo I say gimme a 3 rotor. IF you go Turbo a buncha idiots will just swap the turbo and blow their engines then come crying back to the dealers. the 3 rotor solves the torque issue and then I can add FI later :)
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subject:
Considering how great a car t
author:
date:
May 7, 2010 - 7:52am
Considering how great a car the RX-8 is, and the only universal knock on performance is more power is needed, a Mazdaspeed RX-8 seems like a fitting and rightful end to a great sportscar. If priced competitively, I would definitely trade my 05 RX8 in for a 2011 Speed RX8. It would be the perfect segue in to the next RX model.
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subject:
Thoughts and wishes
author:
date:
May 7, 2010 - 7:16am
There really isn't anything that hasn't been said already that I believe ought to be packaged as the RX-8s final farewell/special model. Forced induction, big brake package, carbon fiber bits to lose weight, lightweight sports seats (front AND rear)...and that's about it. Real gauges would be a plus as well, especially with forced induction. In all reality, I would prefer to have a naturally aspirated 16X engine slipped in but that's going to have to wait until the "FF" comes out.
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subject:
I sure hope this is not a rumor but truth..
author:
date:
May 7, 2010 - 5:39am
I do sure hope a mazdaspeed rx8 comes out. Oh man, if this news is true Im going to start saving now..

I will trade my current 8 into the dealer within a heart beat to get this.

All Mazda needed was at least have the rx8 rated at 260-280 bhp. It could have sold many more than it did. The car is perfect just needs more power. I dont care about gas mileage. You do not buy a sports car to save on gas. There are many other alternative vehicles that serve that purpose.

2011 would be the best time to release the MS8. Right before the new 2012 emissions and mpg laws obama is trying to implement. And now that Speedsource racing team's RX8s presently have won the first three GT races in a row and are leading for the driver's and manufacturer's Championships in GT class of the Rolex Grand Am series. This could lead to great sales for Mazda, if the MS8 comes out.


Just dreaming of the possibilities of the MS8. I feel like a kid on Christmas morning wishing and hoping for the present I have asked for.
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subject:
ALL WRONG IN THE FIRST PLACE
author:
date:
May 8, 2010 - 3:26pm
When the RX8 came along it was like 1975 Cosmo deja vue. We were waiting for a 2 seat sportscar befitting of a rotary engine, and we again get Japanese quirky looks, too heavy, 2+2, 4 doors! At over 30,000 dollars? Are you kidding me?

You can't make an 80 ci 2 rotor haul 2,800 lbs, then put 2+ people in it. If they called it an RX3 it would have been perfect as that is what the RX8 is...a modern RX3.

If you won't give us a modern FD, at least give us that styling in a wankel "Miata" model.

It's so obvious! The original RX7 club was the largest club in the world with over 100,000 members, because it was rotary, 2250 lbs, simple, very affordable, and became legend. When Mazda tries to go upmarket like the FC, fatter, funky design, complex systems, plus costing twice as much...well you lose your base.

If the FD would have had a simple normally aspirated model in the mid 20s, it would still be in production today. The RX8 was all wrong, and real rotorheads knew it and ignored it.

Use the RX8 chassis, FD timeless style, a 16X base and a 24X 3 rotor NA motor topline model, max 2,500 lbs, duel fuel with hydrogen would be cool, too. THEN it might be worth 32,000 dollars. Let the 8 die...it wasn't even close.
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subject:
Wish list
author:
date:
May 6, 2010 - 10:03pm
It's pretty short. R3 package with low compression rotors and a turbo. Ground effects. Suede interior. And I do like the idea of an LCD gauge pack (think GT-R).

I would trade in my WRX in a minute for a proper Mazdaspeed RX-8.
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subject:
A Final Production Mazdaspeed 8 Is still In My Dreams...
author:
date:
May 6, 2010 - 8:23pm
Hmmm, how about:

Street Ported & Turbocharged with a full cockpit of real gauges...

Convertible? muhahaha
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subject:
What should the next rotary have?
author:
date:
May 6, 2010 - 8:12pm
1) Turbocharged please.
2) Working oil pressure, water temp gauges please. In fact, do a computerized dash for me - look at the FT-86.
3) NO SMILING FACE! Please!!!
4) Not sure if the S2 solved this, but please put the damn oil filter in a more easily accessed location.

Things to keep:
1) The rotary. Duh.
2) The best brakes this side of a Porsche.
3) The best handling this side of a Porsche.
4) The curves.
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subject:
Special Edition
author:
date:
May 6, 2010 - 4:42pm
Whatever its going to be they have to do it irresistibly well and at a good price so that even my wife says " Oh honey you should trade yours in for that one" :)


Oh yeah - and they should have it ready to show (in concept at least) by September 18th for an unveiling at SevenStock.
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subject:
Here's what I want...
author:
date:
May 6, 2010 - 12:29pm
- Turbo/Supercharger (give 20% more HP)
- Loose 100 kilos (aluminium/carbon fiber to the rescue)
- Give us some REAL freakin gauges (delete the idiot gauges)
- Offer a track pkg (track pads/coilovers/HD sway bars)
- dump the cosmetics (wussie color choices/leather choices/sunroof/etc)

My bet that an E.O.L. MS pkg will never happen... they're going to drop this car like a hot potato... although I'd love to think there's passion enough left at Mazda to make a special version.
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subject:
Last RX8
author:
date:
July 13, 2010 - 6:06pm
Take the Supercharger off the white 8.

Put it on the Series 2 model. Re-do the Recaro seats so they are like the Misubishi Starion TSR4 special edition.

Thick plush leather, electronic and wide for easy in and out.

Offer two or three colors.

Re-do the front bumer with out the happy face.

Give us the old steering wheel back. Get rid of the Chrysler Jeep CX7 wheel.

Good Luck finding a weight reduction without spending money.

No options, take all or leave it. This means a sunroof.

Ditch the Navigation as it sucks..

An upgrade A/C compressor so it works.

Oh Ja, real working gauges.
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