Mazda Fine-Tunes the 2009 RX-8

[VH_Supra26]

http://www.motorauthority.com/images/Mazda/RX_8/Facelift1/2008_Mazda_RX8_facelift_MotorAuthority_001.jpg
http://www.motorauthority.com/images/Mazda/RX_8/Facelift1/2008_Mazda_RX8_facelift_MotorAuthority_002.jpg
http://www.motorauthority.com/images/Mazda/RX_8/Facelift1/2008_Mazda_RX8_facelift_MotorAuthority_003.jpg
http://www.motorauthority.com/images/Mazda/RX_8/Facelift1/2008_Mazda_RX8_facelift_MotorAuthority_004.jpg
http://www.motorauthority.com/images/Mazda/RX_8/Facelift1/2008_Mazda_RX8_facelift_MotorAuthority_005.jpg
http://www.motorauthority.com/images/Mazda/RX_8/Facelift1/2008_Mazda_RX8_facelift_MotorAuthority_007.jpg
http://www.motorauthority.com/images/Mazda/RX_8/Facelift1/2008_Mazda_RX8_facelift_MotorAuthority_012.jpg
http://www.motorauthority.com/images/Mazda/RX_8/Facelift1/2008_Mazda_RX8_facelift_MotorAuthority_020.jpg
http://www.motorauthority.com/images/Mazda/RX_8/Facelift1/2008_Mazda_RX8_facelift_MotorAuthority_018.jpg
http://www.motorauthority.com/images/Mazda/RX_8/Facelift1/2008_Mazda_RX8_facelift_MotorAuthority_017.jpg

IRVINE, California — Mazda North America has modestly tweaked its flagship RX-8 sports car for model year 2009, adding a new R3 sport model at the top of the line.

For 2009, the four-door, four-passenger RX-8 gets restyled front and rear bumpers and a revised front fascia with updated headlamps, plus larger exhaust pipes and new five-spoke alloy wheels. Mazda also has lowered the final-drive ratio on the manual gearbox for better performance and has reconfigured the rear suspension geometry to improve handling.

The big news for '09 is the addition of the new RX-8 R3 model, which Mazda says is aimed at the "ultimate driving enthusiast."

The RX-8 R3 gets a sport-tuned suspension with Bilstein shocks, 19-inch forged alloy wheels with high-performance tires, xenon headlamps and foglamps, as well as side sills and a rear spoiler. The front suspension crossmembers have been filled with urethane foam for a more comfortable ride.

The cockpit of the R3 features Recaro front bucket seats with leather side bolsters, a leather-wrapped parking brake handle, keyless entry/start, Bluetooth hands-free phone and a 300-watt Bose audio system with surround sound and noise-compensation technology.

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=130546#4

[NOPISTN]

I like the regular seats better... oh. and they did change the tune on the ECU a bit... and relocate the oil filter.

[VH_Supra26]

Heres the motor pics.

http://www.motorauthority.com/images/Mazda/RX_8/Facelift1/2008_Mazda_RX8_facelift_MotorAuthority_014.jpg
http://www.motorauthority.com/images/Mazda/RX_8/Facelift1/2008_Mazda_RX8_facelift_MotorAuthority_015.jpg

[ThaJokaa]

i like it... looks nice

[i-vtec195]

i like the way it sits. nice stance...

[skivic]

looks nice... but i will vote for more power.... i drove one n they feel a bit underpower....

[Hames]

. but i will vote for more power. ....

i always vote more power :thumb:
I really like the seats but the wheels :weirdo:

[mtran]

looks awesome.

[DaConfusion]

Wtf? R3 comes with only that?

No more power? How about better gas mileage??

I average 16mpg on my 07 rx8 :(

[eN_2_Oh]

that looks the part.

now more power (slap a turbo on there)

[Michael]

that looks the part.

now more power (slap a turbo on there)

:thumb::idea:

[JHizzleX]

ive always like the look of the RX-8 just the power that comes stock with those are pathetic..does it say how much this one will have?

[iBoost]

ive always like the look of the RX-8 just the power that comes stock with those are pathetic..does it say how much this one will have?

probably the same, the 240-250ish.

[Drift Gangsta]

looks hawt but the motor is :-/

[Apx_632]

Mazda doesn't seem to get it. It's not the handling of the rx-8 that people have had a problem with. They drive very smooth, one of my favorites to get behind the wheel of. They just need more then 235hp.

[rg3777]

fuck jdm itr recaros i want those!

[DrKilljoY]

We actually got a chance to see a 2009 (non-R3) at a club meeting back in April .... 2009's are just recently trickling into showrooms in the last month or so.

http://www.houstonrx8club.com/events/2008/040108/images/dsc_6166.jpg

http://www.houstonrx8club.com/events/2008/040108/images/dsc_6167.jpg

http://www.houstonrx8club.com/events/2008/040108/images/dsc_6168.jpg

http://www.houstonrx8club.com/events/2008/040108/images/dsc_6169.jpg

http://www.houstonrx8club.com/events/2008/040108/images/dsc_6170.jpg

http://www.houstonrx8club.com/events/2008/040108/images/dsc_6172.jpg

http://www.houstonrx8club.com/events/2008/040108/images/dsc_6174.jpg

The differences are subtle between the old one and the new one.. but numerous nevertheless.

[MoToHeAd125]

still slow

[DrKilljoY]

Wow?

Really?... amazing observation you have there Einstein. Of course it would eat you alive around a road course.

[MoToHeAd125]

Wow?

Really?... amazing observation you have there Einstein. Of course it would eat you alive around a road course.

Really? Cuz i doubt it....

[DrKilljoY]

Go whore up an SRT or EVO thread. LOL

Everyone knows that the WRX is god's gift to mankind. :D





PS - You understand this is sarcasm right?

[Replica]

Really? Cuz i doubt it....
Last time I drove an STi, in stock form, it understeered like a Civic.

[LeetoEG6]

What is the difference between an R3 and a non-R3?

[Michael]

Go whore up an SRT or EVO thread. LOL

Everyone knows that the WRX is god's gift to mankind. :D





PS - You understand this is sarcasm right?

Don't backpedal.

Fine:

Motohead, I would rape the shit out of you around any road course.

-Michael

[eN_2_Oh]

^uhoh i think thats a call out :2cooleek:

*gets popcorn*

[Michael]

^uhoh i think thats a call out :2cooleek:

*gets popcorn*

Lol it came off a bit more aggressive than I thought... but I would have said the same thing BEFORE my car was turbo'd so not getting walked by a million cars on the straight at TWS is just icing on the cake.

I have no doubt that a stage II STi would rape the shit out of me in a straight line twice over, but barring 5k in suspension, wheels and r-compounds a road course is a different story.

Unless Motohead somehow slipped under the radar at like 14 DE's lol.

[DrKilljoY]

What is the difference between an R3 and a non-R3?

- Sport-tuned suspension with Bilstein shock absorbers (I understand this is a much more aggressively tuned suspension than the non-R3 models
- Front suspension crossmembers filled with urethane foam. Filling the crossmembers makes for a smoother ride, minimized NVH and greater suspension control.
- Rear spoiler
- Side sills
- Fog lights
- Sporty front bumper adds an aggressive appearance
- 19-inch forged aluminum-alloy wheels with high performance tires.
- 300-watt BOSE® audio system with Centerpoint® surround sound and AudioPilot® noise compensation technology
- Bluetooth hands-free phone system
- Recaro sport seats with leather side bolsters
- Leather-wrapped parking brake handle
- Mazda advanced keyless entry and start system.

[MoToHeAd125]

Not saying a WRX is gods gift, but he did bless us with the knowledge to make one :P


Lets find a road course and have some fun then :D

[Michael]

Not saying a WRX is gods gift, but he did bless us with the knowledge to make one :P


Lets find a road course and have some fun then :D

I'm glad you're an easygoing fellow.

I encourage everyone to come out to TWS or Cresson. I'm in Dallas most of the time. It's not a race, it's exactly the opposite, but with gps lap timers etc. it's hard not to compare...

Stg. 2 with boltons STi should be somewhere in the range of 280awhp right?

Might be a good race after all lol. I dont know if STi's hit 12's with that kind of power but greddy rx8's hit 13.1 on drag radials. I'm running 275's KDW's all the way around so it should hook. We'll see when I have the car again.

[MoToHeAd125]

According to a lot of STI guys, stg 2 with what i got should be high 12's, at least some people have hit that. Yeah 280 at the wheels sounds about right. I have some suspension upgrades too. 24mm perrin sways get rid of that understeer, it handles a lot better, sometimes oversteering if im too happy on the throttle. Also put good brake pads and steel lines. And wider tires.

[DrKilljoY]

You guys are going to be pissed when I pass you in an RX-7 with XXX amount less HP. (grin/wink)

Not at TWS... MSR Cresson or Houston maybe.

[MoToHeAd125]

good think i retrofitted my fog lamps to shoot rockets

[super cirrus]

You guys are going to be pissed when I pass you in an RX-7 with XXX amount less HP. (grin/wink)

Not at TWS... MSR Cresson or Houston maybe.

stock taurus beats all

[240sxboi]

instead of "fine-tuning" they need to turbocharge that bitch. needs more balls and less aesthetics.

[legendkurado]

All I know is Michael woudl leave most people on this forum on a track.. and maybe his car isn't that weak ;p he hits the track regularly

[legendkurado]

oh and i'm sorry i forgot dkj also ;p

[240sxboi]

All I know is Michael woudl leave most people on this forum on a track.. and maybe his car isn't that weak ;p he hits the track regularly

that may be true, but that has more to do with the driver than the car. the car needs more power, the 8's i've driven have been very nice handling cars and are a blast to drive, but i guess if you buy one of them you're trading off power for handling. why not throw a turbo or two under the hood and really have something to be proud of?

[legendkurado]

how od you know we don't?!??! ;p

[legendkurado]

as far as the 8.. it does very well for what it's designed to do.. i would also love a little bit more power from it

[Michael]

that may be true, but that has more to do with the driver than the car. the car needs more power, the 8's i've driven have been very nice handling cars and are a blast to drive, but i guess if you buy one of them you're trading off power for handling. why not throw a turbo or two under the hood and really have something to be proud of?

Power is a luxury for the straights. Anyone can mash the gas.

Every 8 owner wishes it came with a turbo, or at least a mazdaspeed version, but there was no trade off.

I've been raped 6 ways to sunday by a late 80's 325i on cheap tires. Not to mention a ton of spec miatas. People don't understand that being able to hit 170 on the straight doesn't equate to going "faster"

There's a reason auto mags and Top Gear alike all like the rx-8, it's because with a fraction of the power it still runs the same times as 350z's and M3's on their test track. Someone can pull up the top gear times if need be.

And yeah, there are 8's @ 380hp on the stock motor, so turbocharging isn't an issue.

[NOPISTN]

Power is a luxury for the straights. Anyone can mash the gas.

Every 8 owner wishes it came with a turbo, or at least a mazdaspeed version, but there was no trade off.

I've been raped 6 ways to sunday by a late 80's 325i on cheap tires. Not to mention a ton of spec miatas. People don't understand that being able to hit 170 on the straight doesn't equate to going "faster"

There's a reason auto mags and Top Gear alike all like the rx-8, it's because with a fraction of the power it still runs the same times as 350z's and M3's on their test track. Someone can pull up the top gear times if need be.

And yeah, there are 8's @ 380hp on the stock motor, so turbocharging isn't an issue.

we are talking about the same rotary engine right?
there is a reason mazda didn't put a turbo on it from the factory....
but thank god there are dozens of people who are way smarter than the mazda engineers. :Goofy:

[Michael]

we are talking about the same rotary engine right?
there is a reason mazda didn't put a turbo on it from the factory....
but thank god there are dozens of people who are way smarter than the mazda engineers. :Goofy:

You're missing out.

[NOPISTN]

You're missing out.

you sure? :2cooleek:
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s310/nopistn/08082008454.jpg

[legendkurado]

^_^

[ThaJokaa]

owned^^^

[iRIDElow]

lol

[Michael]

owned^^^

Inherently, he knows the capabilities...

Are you serious?

[White94CX]

stock taurus beats all

LOL Best post in this thread........:thumb:

[AzaelTypeR]

o man they mess with the tranny, gotta give it mazda makes sweet trannys..i wanna drive it

[240sxboi]

you sure? :2cooleek:
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s310/nopistn/08082008454.jpg

:rofl:

[Michael]

:rofl:

I still fail to see ownage.

Everyone posting in this thread has a turbocharged rotary...and with a name like NOPISTN I think anyone dumb enough not to know what that means should be shot...hence, you saying rotaries shouldn't be turbocharged confuses me.

I'm not seeing issues with them either...at least on my end.