RX8 Discontinued?
 

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

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.

http://www.autotrader.com/research/a...ary-future.jsp

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/16/m...market-rotary/

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.

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...

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.

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:

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.

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

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.

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.

Rotary shares the cx5 chassis? Wtf are you on