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MAZDA RX8

MAZDA RX8 Gallery: 1

Mazda Unveils the 2009 Mazda RX-8

Posted January 13, 2008 at 10:19 am Make a Comment

: Mazda RX-8

First launched in 2003, the Mazda RX-8 series unveils the 2009 model at the 2008 North American International Auto Show. Mazda hopes it that the RX-8’s refreshed exterior and interior design, enhanced performance, and a new R3 sport package will further the evolution of the four-door, four-seater sports coupe. The 2009 model features Mazda’s twin-rotor “RENESIS (Rotary Engine genesis – or rebirth of the rotary engine)” rotary engine.

“Every sports car ever developed by Mazda has had the same fundamental mission – to provide car lovers with a vehicle that’s fun to drive, exciting to look at and easy to own,” said Tetsu Nakazawa, Mazda North American Operations’ RX-8 vehicle line manager. For 2009’s RX-8, Mazda engineers focused on innovation in three key areas: styling, performance and packaging.

The 2009 RX-8 includes restyled front and rear bumpers and front fascia; sporty, high quality finish front and rear headlamps; and larger exhaust pipes (now measuring 90 mm across). It also offers a new five-spoke wheel design featuring a design reminiscent of the rotary engine, with different arrangements for each wheel size.

The RX-8’s unique “freestyle” four-door design is evidence, according to Nakazawa and Mazda’s design team, that sports cars don’t need to sacrifice space or convenience for performance. “The enhancements made to RX-8’s exterior, interior, packaging and performance takes it to a whole new level of visual and driving excitement,” remarked Nakazawa.

Related Links:

Watch the full 13 minute Mazda Press Conference
Mazda CX-9 wins 2008 North American Truck of the Year
Learn about the New Furai Concept
See the Mazda3 Consumer-Designed Concept

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18 COMMENTS ABOUT Mazda Unveils the 2009 Mazda RX-8 Make a Comment

Rosieandretti says (May 22, 2008 at 7:41 am):

I have a 2004 RX8 now with 42k on it. I get those Mazda 3 Speed 3 trying to take The 8 on. Street racing is illegal

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Lonnie Sturgis says (May 2, 2008 at 3:03 pm):

I own a 2005 Rx-8 Shinka Love the car just needs more power TURBO
It was dissapointing to get beat getting to the corner I had a 1984 RX-7 fresh out of school fun car so i picked up this RX-8 meat all my expectations....except .....power.

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Chase B says (April 14, 2008 at 6:49 pm):

the main problem with this beautiful fun car is lackingthe turbo of its previous rotary cousins. I own a 88 mazda rx7 turbo II and its such a blast to have the power of a turbo. If the rx8 came factory turboed version i would instantly buy another rx8. currently I really like the MAZDASPEED body kit for the 09 RX8 im not really likeing the new front end. or the steering wheel i think that should be the same as the previous rx8. but the main progblem is the lack of the turbo power wich makes a RX car a supersports car. finnaly companies are deciding that the turbo is needed again. not just for power but fuel economy. Mazda has turbo cars they just need to make the RX8 turbo. the rx8 really is only good with corners wich is where it should but in straight away sections it gets taken by cars like Mitsubishi EVO and Subaru Impreza, they have the power and fuel economy of a turbo. I have talked to many owners of Nissan 350 Z and asked why they didnt get a RX8 they said the lack of a turbo makes it slow and not as sporty. personally i think the adition of a turbo to the already somewhat powerful rx8 would bring in so many more consumers into the sports car market.

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JOSE RODRIGUEZ says (April 1, 2008 at 11:35 pm):

I THINK THE CAR LOOKS GREAT BUT THEY SHOULD AT LEAST ADD ANOTHER 60 HP OR MORE!! LIKE TURBO OR SUPER CHARGE OR DO SOMETHING PLEASE PLEASE DO SOMETHING

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rotor4ever says (March 6, 2008 at 7:29 pm):

ive looked into the petit stage II SC and it looks very promissing.i believe i saw vids on it on youtube the other day. what mazda needs to do is put the new turbo 16X rotor powerplant in the new rx8's. mazda needs to stop playing around and start taking back the streets . rotary style.

josh Echols says (March 10, 2008 at 8:56 pm):

I looked online today and found some info on the 16X, one blog said that if they keep true to the rotary's nature than it could be 350hp. Thank you rotor4ever for bringing this 16X to my attention. I will be looking in to see if there is any other info on this new power plant.

Joshua echols says (March 9, 2008 at 11:24 pm):

Where can i get some info on this turbo 16X rotary you speek of? I've looked at options to give my RX8 more power but I haven't heard of that engine. What kind of specs does this motor have?

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Joshua Echols says (March 2, 2008 at 6:18 am):

I was looking on the internet today and I found a Pettit racing supercharger for the RX8 the stage 2 has a littel over 300 hp and around 200ftlbs of torque. Have you guys ever thought about hooking up with a company like that and comeing out with a performance package for the RX8. i know as soon as I get the extra $ I will be putting it on mine and blowing the doors of any of the cars in my area.

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JOSHUA ECHOLS says (February 29, 2008 at 3:52 am):

I OWN A 2007 RX8, I LOVE THE CAR, AND I WOULD LIKE TO REPLACE IT WITH A TURBO RX8 WHEN THE TIME COMES. IT HAS DECENT POWER I JUST WOULD LKE TO SEE 300HP AND 200 TORQUE OUT OF IT. HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT ABOUT DOING A 20B 3 ROTOR ENGINE?? MAKE ME HAPPY, I HAVE COME TO LOVE THE ROTARY BUT IT NEEDS A LITTLE MORE GRUNT.

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Anonymous says (February 29, 2008 at 3:49 am):

TURBO TURBO TURBO TURBO TURBO TURBO TURBO TURBO TURBO

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Anonymous says (February 19, 2008 at 3:17 am):

TURBO TURBO TURBO TURBO TURBO TURBO TURBO TURBO TURBO TURBO TURBO TURBO TURBO TURBO TURBO TURBO TURBO TURBO TURBO TURBO TURBO TURBO TURBO TURBO TURBO TURBO TURBO TURBO TURBO TURBO TURBOTURBO TURBO TURBO TURBO TURBO TURBO TURBOTURBO TURBO TURBO TURBO TURBO TURBO TURBO, I don't think I can say it enough. Bring back the V8 killer power that the 1.3B had in the RX7.

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Anonymous says (February 19, 2008 at 3:15 am):

This car isn't about the mileage, it's about ZOOM ZOOM

chase b says (April 14, 2008 at 6:55 pm):

And ZOOM ZOOM is about turbo spool and great handleing great styling and all out fun. TURBO ROTARY = FUN more than i can ever tell some one about, its only an experiance that everyone should have

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Anonymous says (February 13, 2008 at 7:41 pm):

looks very good even better than the last one

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Michael JB says (February 2, 2008 at 4:08 pm):

What about gas mileage? Looks good though! :)

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joshua echols says (January 28, 2008 at 3:33 am):

Nice new RX8, all I need to say is TURBO TURBO TURBO!!!!!!!!!

texasrx-8 says (May 19, 2008 at 4:28 pm):

actually there is alot you can do with the RX-8. There arent very many kits for the car. PTP from Austin TX was featured in Car and Driver with a 390 RWHP RX-8. They used a T4 turbo ($1000). All you have to do is Order you a turbo, wastegate, intercooler, downpipe, headers, a few more things and you can run about 16-18 lbs of boost with the stock injectors. You will also need HKS engine management. It unleases an ENORMOUS about if power from the renesis. The Renesis engine itself is capable of over 25lbs of boost with new fuel injectors. I just ordered my t4 turbo and im about to order the rest of my parts. 500 hp will only cost me about $2200. If you dont believe, email me @ freaklinkmusic@gmail.com and we can talk and I can tell you how to get power out of the Renesis. Ive seen many rx-8's down here in Texas with 400hp .

mike says (May 10, 2008 at 10:55 pm):

I own a 2005 rx8 at first i was very impressed with the car....the car looks great....but being a car nut i wanted a lot more power, I have done a lot of research and I found there is not much you can do with this car with out major cash, yes the petit 2 supercharger is nice but it will set you back about 7,900 bucks , a cat back is about 20 hp and you can put a chip in for a few more hp and you can turbo it if you dont mind lag, then i found the answer i was looking for the 1996 b13 3 rotor is a great swap out and from what i understand it will bolt right in, yes its set for a turbo...( old school ) but a super charger would be the way to go, also madza is going to release a supercharged version of the rx8, about 280 hp, it will sit a inch lower have 19" wheels that will be 9 1/2 wide for the rear, and the suspension will be tighter ...hope that get rid of the wheel hop.oh ya it will have a hood scoop , I have been to the dealer in my area and have found it will be released this coming year, the cost will be in the mid thirty's, I love my rx8 but......overall the cost of making the car run the way it should....toooooo much,I will be looking forward to a test drive of the new and improved RX8, but i might be going with the 350 z at least 450 hp is a easy task to achieve, take note Mazda ( ford ) ....we want a car that can be turned in to a monster if we choose to do so, with out factory limits, at least with the rx7 you could get the hp as high as you had the guts to take it, learn from your mistakes the RX8 is a great looking sports car, it needs to run like one

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