RX-8 To Be Killed Off After 2011 (??)
 

Taken from Motor Trend website.

http://wot.motortrend.com/6642523/au...-us/index.html

We've been reporting for years now on the possibility of a revived RX-7, and it looks like Mazda may be moving one step closer to that goal with reports today that the RX-8 is due to cease U.S. sales after 2011. There will be a gap in the rotary world of at least two years, however, as the RX-7 (or whatever it will be called) isn't expected until at least 2013.

You still have a year to grab the fantastically-balanced if a bit inefficient four-seater before it goes to the big track in the sky, but with sales volumes not yet above the 500 mark in 2010, there may not be many leaping at the opportunity. It is, after all, an aging design and despite its truly graceful handling, it's a bit underpowered by today's standards, especially below 7,000 rpm.

The high-winding Wankel 1.3-liter is due to be replaced by a new RX-7, likely meaning a two-seat coupe instead of the RX-8's semi-four-door, four-seat layout. The engine in the new RX-7 is conversely expected to grow in size to 1.6-liters, to better help low-end power and torque while delivering even more top-end.

One challenge that's going to be tough to meet, however, will be the ever-tighter emissions controls being instated in Europe and the U.S.--rotaries, while efficient at generating power from very small displacements, typically burn lots of fuel and oil in comparison to conventional reciprocating engines, which in turn means relatively high emissions.

We'll hold out for the official word on the death of the RX-8 before we pronounce it final, but it's a natural progression for the car and for Mazda, so we won't be surprised when it comes. For more on the future RX-7 revival, check out our preview here.

Don't know what to say, but hopefully next RX-7 won't look like any of the previous prototypes mazda put out.

Yay

not a lot of people are going to miss it

it hasn't been that popular...

they should name it Rx-9

sweet

kill that shitty car off the list

the need to make a new mazdaspeed mx-5.
around 225-250hp that would be SWWEEEETTT

hopefully the next rotary that mazda/ford is going to make will be aggressive looking

They still make an RX8?

they still do.

i actually only have seen the face lifted one once or twice on the street...




oh well, like the S2000, it'll be a future classic. high winding, light weight four door rotary.

there wayyy too overpriced, i saw a 2010 rx8 at the dealer with 'sport package' (facelifted one) fo 43k.... thats why no one wants them

there are definitely better alternatives for that price

i think ur referring to the full load R3 model...

recaros, bilsteins and other goodies.


it depends on what you want really. i think the RX-8 is one of the few cars with knife edge handling precision, as most of the cars nowadays focus more on brute power *ahem* evos, stis, ms3 *ahem*

hope they make a better rotary next time. Something that could share the legendary status that the FD and FC has.

yeah i didnt know they were still being sold in NA

Hardly see any around they're scarcer than celicas (which btw seem to be everywhere since they stopped making them wtf?)

The R3 is an amazing car. They just didn't do anything to promote/market it. It has a completely different engine than the others. It's "impossible to flood" so says Mazda, and def feels like the power band is smoother/comes on quicker. Overall though, I won't miss it. There are a lot better/different cars out there for that price, and that's why they aren't selling.

people won't buy anything unless it's over 300hp these days. just look at a how much power a mustang has. Most people don't need that power, but they'll buy it just to say they have it.

Just like most people don't need 60G in their ipod. they listen to maybe 2gig of it. but they'll buy it with 60gig just because.

i like the rx8 & serious mazda should combine the rx7 & rx8 in to one car so it's be call the "RX78" lol

ok i know it's bad joke to start a Saturday at 12pm, im sorry

I wouldn't mind a rotary-powered gundam :P

but how does the sound of a V12 gundam be like!!!

actually i wouldn't mind a gundam powered rotary car, cuz that would sound sweet

I can't believe that my POS Honda Fit can move off the line or do very very slow turns in parking lot with 2nd gear but I have to use 1st gear with a RX8....

it was only cool since wolverine drove a blue one! When I think of "RX" I only think of the ones in initial D.

RX-8's are for girls imo

Thank god, the car was never quite right :s