RX8 Discontinued?

[Rolando]

Hey guys. Is it true Mazda is planning on discontinuing the RX8 model along with the use of the Rotary engine?

[Raksj04]

the rx8 is going away, however mazda will continue to R&D the rotary, search for the 16X. rumor has it the 16X will have a laser ignition system.

[Sephitrask]

http://www.autotrader.com/research/article/car-news/127075/mazdas-rotary-future.jsp

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/16/mazda-ceo-charts-how-to-reach-2-percent-of-world-market-rotary/

[reddozen]

the rx8 is going away, however mazda will continue to R&D the rotary, search for the 16X. rumor has it the 16X will have a laser ignition system.

Laser ignition is a possibility, but I think it's still a little too futuristic.

[Raksj04]

Laser ignition is a possibility, but I think it's still a little too futuristic.

I kinda agree, but the CEO has been quoted saying the next rotary engine will has a different ignition system. I am unsure why the renesis didnt have the 3 plug per rotor the 26b had. I have read the 26B used less fuel then some of the piston cars in the 1991 Le Mas race. I think it was about 462g/kw at 6k. I have to find the paper again.

[reddozen]

I kinda agree, but the CEO has been quoted saying the next rotary engine will has a different ignition system. I am unsure why the renesis didnt have the 3 plug per rotor the 26b had. I have read the 26B used less fuel then some of the piston cars in the 1991 Le Mas race. I think it was about 462g/kw at 6k. I have to find the paper again.

The 3 plug system is just complicated and isn't super cost effective. It would help efficiency for sure though. We'll just have to wait and see...

[Raksj04]

wow I was wrong it was 286 g/kWh at 6000 rpm. I think you guys should read the paper. It is SAE paper form 1992. http://www.rotaryeng.net/Mazda_R26B_US.pdf

I just wish the number they gave was a little better to understand. I could convert it but I am not sure if it would be right. I guess it is 286 grams of fuel per Kilowatt hour.

[yzf-r1]

Glad to hear the rotary will continue but Mazda isn't producing anything that interests me in the least right now - and the RX-8 will not be missed

[My5ABaby]

Glad to hear the rotary will continue but Mazda isn't producing anything that interests me in the least right now - and the RX-8 will not be missed

Speaking of not interesting... :suspect:

[Raksj04]

I am going to miss the 8, It is kicking ass in Grand Am racing. It also was kicking ass in Auto X. It was bumped up a class that includes Vettes. Stock 8's with only Hi Pref street tires. Jeremy from Top Gear once said it was the best car ever, besides be twitchy in the rain.

[yzf-r1]

Long way from track ready 3 rotors to the stock 8s. Sales are in the tank, gas mileage is poor, early models had recalls, quirky looks, low power/torque (n/a two rotor) - all reasons I bought an S2000 over an 8 and I'm still convinced four years later I made the right choice. Jeremy changes his mind like the wind, first he loved the S2000 then hated it, so that isn't much of any criteria. In a numbers comparison (stock for stock), the S2000 beats the RX-8, even worse with the C/R

Mazda needs to get back to the themes of LIGHT, COMPACT, POWERFUL (with classic lines styling, not this gay fluff they have out now), and REASONABLY PRICED that made the 7 a (qualified) success - the 8 was always a bloated looking compromise and true sports cars don't compromise

[tpdrx8]

Had an FD. Sold it to buy an 8 for SCCA autocross. Cars don't even compare in stock trim. The 8 is ugly compared to a 7 and I seriously miss the grunt of the turbos but beyond that the 8 is a superior car from a function/suspension/brakes/daily driver/driving dynamics/etc standpoint.

That said, I also agree that Mazda needs a true successor to the 7 and will be one of the first in line when(if) the 16X FF arrives.

BTW, comparing an S2K to an 8 is an apples to oranges comparison and the FD was never considered reasonably priced.

[TypeSL_T]

Long way from track ready 3 rotors to the stock 8s. Sales are in the tank, gas mileage is poor, early models had recalls, quirky looks, low power/torque (n/a two rotor) - all reasons I bought an S2000 over an 8 and I'm still convinced four years later I made the right choice. Jeremy changes his mind like the wind, first he loved the S2000 then hated it, so that isn't much of any criteria. In a numbers comparison (stock for stock), the S2000 beats the RX-8, even worse with the C/R

Mazda needs to get back to the themes of LIGHT, COMPACT, POWERFUL (with classic lines styling, not this gay fluff they have out now), and REASONABLY PRICED that made the 7 a (qualified) success - the 8 was always a bloated looking compromise and true sports cars don't compromise

I kinda understand what you are saying here, but the S2K and the RX8 are in 2 totally different categories. You are comparing a 2 door, 2 seater, convertible with a 4 door, 4 seater, hardtop. Either way, as you stated, sales were never that great with a good economy, so the bad economy really hurt the sales of that car. I am really looking forward to what comes of the Shinari?, I think that's what it was called. I was talking with a Mazda rep at the Nashville Auto Show this weekend about it. Seems like a pretty sweet car, and he said they rumor it to possibly have the rotary in it.

James

[reddozen]

I kinda understand what you are saying here, but the S2K and the RX8 are in 2 totally different categories. You are comparing a 2 door, 2 seater, convertible with a 4 door, 4 seater, hardtop. Either way, as you stated, sales were never that great with a good economy, so the bad economy really hurt the sales of that car. I am really looking forward to what comes of the Shinari?, I think that's what it was called. I was talking with a Mazda rep at the Nashville Auto Show this weekend about it. Seems like a pretty sweet car, and he said they rumor it to possibly have the rotary in it.

James

Don't believe a word you hear from Mazda reps at the Nashville auto show... lol. I made them look pretty stupid in front of a group of people last time they were here. I have fun with the nelson Mazda guys from time to time too... it's sad how pathetic Mazda North America is. They know so little about their own cars that it's no wonder they don't sell any more than they do.

The Shinari is essentially the new Mazda 6, so no rotary (VERY unlikely). There won't even be a hint at the next RX car till the new CX5 is announced since the rotary always shares the CX5 chassis. It'll be a couple years till the CX5 is announced.

[Mazdabater]

Rotary shares the cx5 chassis? Wtf are you on

[Christopher W.]

Until Mazda gets there head out of their asses with those stupid cartoon smile front ends they will only be chic cars.

I am not holding my breath for any company that insists on forcing cartoon cars on the public.

[Whizbang]

really, i couldnt blame them for giving up in a sense. The rotary hasnt really been profitable since what? The 80s? The final Rx7 had a bad reputation with the public and the new Rx8 faired only slightly better. Especially consdiering that have the Mx-5. Companies do not seem to fair well with more than one "sports car" and the Mx-5 sells many times better. Especially since the MZR is a great engine.

I like Mazda, and ill likely stay within their realm (they have great contingency) but i doubt we will see another rotary car from them. At least anything affordable. Might be like the new GT-R. High priced and rarely sold.

[My5ABaby]

Don't believe a word you hear from Mazda reps at the Nashville auto show... lol. I made them look pretty stupid in front of a group of people last time they were here. I have fun with the nelson Mazda guys from time to time too... it's sad how pathetic Mazda North America is. They know so little about their own cars that it's no wonder they don't sell any more than they do.

The Shinari is essentially the new Mazda 6, so no rotary (VERY unlikely). There won't even be a hint at the next RX car till the new CX5 is announced since the rotary always shares the CX5 chassis. It'll be a couple years till the CX5 is announced.
The CX5 has been announced and it's a crossover. I presume you mean it shares a chassis with the MX5.

Why would you make the Mazda guys look stupid? So an enthusiast knows more about their cars than a salesman... yay? Way to help out the brand... Anyways, it's not like Mazda is unique is having uninformed salesmen. Their job isn't to know the wheelbase, hp, gearing, displacement, etc., that's for the mechanics/engineers. Their job is to know people and how to manipulate them into buying a car. Now we can argue they don't do their job very well there, but they haven't been given much help in the way of styling from Mazda lately.

[Raksj04]

I was once told that mazda was going to Supercharge the 8 and release it as the next mazdaspeed car. But that didn't happen, that doesnt mean that they didn't try to R/D it. I was also told that the was going to be a Mazdaspeed 5. But I think the sales of the MS3 are too strong for mazda to stop building that car to build a different Mazdaspeed. I still want Mazda to have an AWD Mazda 3 GTX. They only thing I was told at a Auto show was that the Vette was going to be supercharged, he really didnt tell me. I just said that GM should S/C the Vette like the Cobalt and the look he give me confirmed it.

[My5ABaby]

I just said that GM should S/C the Vette like the Cobalt and the look he give me confirmed it.

:rofl:

[Whizbang]

as in a mazdaspeed mini van 5? not an mx-5, which has been done.

[TypeSL_T]

Supercharged Vette? You mean like the ZR1? I am really confused by a lot of that post.

James

[Raksj04]

yes as the ZR-1, this was like a 2006 auto show or about that time. And Yes I have the habit of writing in a confusing matter.

[Raksj04]

as in a mazdaspeed mini van 5? not an mx-5, which has been done.

Yep, as the mini van. I honesty would like the next MS MX-5 have the 16X. But my doubts are really really high. Unless the 16X with the rumor laser igition system will have good emissions, mpg, and power. Then I think it may happen. I wonder how well a compund turbo setup would work in a car. That is suppost to have 50% TE.

[Redhawkjrt]

Had an FD. Sold it to buy an 8 for SCCA autocross. Cars don't even compare in stock trim. The 8 is ugly compared to a 7 and I seriously miss the grunt of the turbos but beyond that the 8 is a superior car from a function/suspension/brakes/daily driver/driving dynamics/etc standpoint.

That said, I also agree that Mazda needs a true successor to the 7 and will be one of the first in line when(if) the 16X FF arrives.

BTW, comparing an S2K to an 8 is an apples to oranges comparison and the FD was never considered reasonably priced.

Agree with most of this; most cars are ugly compared to the FD, not just the 8. That said, I get an amazing number of positive comments on the 8 at local shows. Also agree that the FD was not a reasonably priced car; it was very much more expensive than the FC. Granted it was a great performer, but it was not affordable for a lot of previous RX-7 customers.

I disagree, however, that Mazda "needs" a 7 successor. Would we here on this forum love to see such? Sure. But Mazda has now tried numerous ways of packaging the rotary sports car, and I doubt if any other than the FB made the corp. much money. You can make the "halo car" argument as a need, but a company as small as Mazda may not be able to afford this luxury.
I hope they don't see it this way; just don't be too surprised if the bean counters dictate otherwise.

[Raksj04]

I have heard that when ford had control over mazda, ford bean counters wanted mazda to kill the Rotary engine, and they refused to give up on it. I would really like to see mazda sell a hard top Mx-5 that I can fit in with a rotary engine. I think as long as it was around 25k starting, it would sell. But this time manual trans only.

[Whizbang]

that would be at least a viable way to get it out there. Just use the same chassis and have the engine as an option.

[Raksj04]

that would be at least a viable way to get it out there. Just use the same chassis and have the engine as an option.

Exactly, I would adjust the suspension for the change in weight and the added power. If the 16x makes over 260hp that is almost 100hp more then the stock MX-5. I am pretty sure that if mazda built that car it would sell. specially if it is a Limit edition.

[Pete_89T2]

as in a mazdaspeed mini van 5? not an mx-5, which has been done.

I recall an old Car & Driver project car article where they built a "Mazdaspeed-5" minivan. Started with a new Mazda5 van, and transplanted the powertrain from a wrecked MS3.

[My5ABaby]

I recall an old Car & Driver project car article where they built a "Mazdaspeed-5" minivan. Started with a new Mazda5 van, and transplanted the powertrain from a wrecked MS3.
I've got half wood from that. I would drive the shit out of that.

[Raksj04]

I still think that the MS3 should have AWD. then mazda could bump the output a little. I think 315 ft/lb in that size car would be fun. Mazda did drop a 2.3 MZR engine in a 2. It has "Turbo 2" on the side. That made be chuckle a little.

I still want the next RX to be package like the FC. With a wide price range and opitions. But no Auto transmission.

[reddozen]

The CX5 has been announced and it's a crossover. I presume you mean it shares a chassis with the MX5.

Why would you make the Mazda guys look stupid? So an enthusiast knows more about their cars than a salesman... yay? Way to help out the brand... Anyways, it's not like Mazda is unique is having uninformed salesmen. Their job isn't to know the wheelbase, hp, gearing, displacement, etc., that's for the mechanics/engineers. Their job is to know people and how to manipulate them into buying a car. Now we can argue they don't do their job very well there, but they haven't been given much help in the way of styling from Mazda lately.

Yes, the MX5... mistyped that one...

The guys at an auto show are the face of Mazda... They should know more than the average person about every car in their lineup. That's their job. They're not salesmen in the direct since at a car show. They're selling the brand, sure, but when he doesn't even know what an R3 RX8 is, and his company sells it, that's pretty pathetic. That's like asking for a Mazda Speed 3 and them asking you "what's that?", or trying to show you a normal Mazda 3.

They should be able to spout off trim packages, colors, etc for every car they represent. Pretty basic info.

[Raksj04]

^agreed

[Whizbang]

screw laser ignition. i want nuclear ignition.

[Raksj04]

Screw nuclear, Antimatter.

[Whizbang]

screw antimatter, dark matter!

sounds cooler anyway.

[Whizbang]

that said i dont think dark matter happens to destroy matter on contact or anything cool like that..

[My5ABaby]

Yes, the MX5... mistyped that one...

The guys at an auto show are the face of Mazda... They should know more than the average person about every car in their lineup. That's their job. They're not salesmen in the direct since at a car show. They're selling the brand, sure, but when he doesn't even know what an R3 RX8 is, and his company sells it, that's pretty pathetic. That's like asking for a Mazda Speed 3 and them asking you "what's that?", or trying to show you a normal Mazda 3.

They should be able to spout off trim packages, colors, etc for every car they represent. Pretty basic info.
They probably should, but I think you're overestimating the intelligence and knowledge of the general public.

[Raksj04]

I think the exhaust should have a nano black hole. that is how we will make a zero emission car, plus it would be quiet as hell.

[Raksj04]

They probably should, but I think you're overestimating the intelligence and knowledge of the general public.

most people on this site ask questions that are more techical then the general pubic asks. Because to the general public car a just a tool to get here and there, to most of us the right car can be like a family memeber.

I like to go educate my local mazda saleman once a month.

[85rx-7gsl-se]

I still like when the local car lot salesman told my mom the RX-8 shared the same 4cyl as a Mazda 3.

[My5ABaby]

I still like when the local car lot salesman told my mom the RX-8 shared the same 4cyl as a Mazda 3.
:rofl: And I'm sure she didn't care.

most people on this site ask questions that are more techical then the general pubic asks. Because to the general public car a just a tool to get here and there, to most of us the right car can be like a family memeber.

I like to go educate my local mazda saleman once a month.
Exactly, so the salesman cater to the 99% that don't know and don't care. They don't need to know any of those facts because either people don't know/care as stated, or they already know (like us) and in that case they don't need to inform us.

[Raksj04]

I laugh at one who said rotaries are quiet. But looking back that wasn't false. the engine its self is quiet no vavle noise, but the exhuast,... yeah not quiet

[Raksj04]

Some dealerships cycle thru salesman quickly. I work at a dealship where 60% of the people there where in sales, and you walk up and ask "where is john smith", "oh he is gone." lasted a month. Some quit. My brother was a car saleman for a little bit but he had school loans to pay off so he had to find a more stable income.

[85rx-7gsl-se]

:rofl: And I'm sure she didn't care.




I was next to her and had to do my best to bite my tongue.

[Raksj04]

I was next to her and had to do my best to bite my tongue.

I would have called him out.

[mfisher12]

I would personally like to see Direct Injection to the roatry! Belt driven high pressure fuel pump. possibly introduce a turbo still using the high compression rotors.
The new style MOP seems to be lubing lubing the seals pretty well
DI may reduce the carbon build up and allow higher MPG and power

[jimstaz]

hopes and dreamz.. we will see in time what happens :)