<![CDATA[Jalopnik: Rx-8]]> http://cache.jalopnik.com/assets/base/img/thumbs140x140/jalopnik.com.png <![CDATA[Jalopnik: Rx-8]]> http://jalopnik.com/tag/rx-8 http://jalopnik.com/tag/rx-8 <![CDATA[This is what happens when you lose your brakes at 160 MPH]]> At yesterday's Rolex Grand Am event Gunter Schaldach experienced a scenario no driver is ever really prepared for—losing your brakes at 160 MPH. When Schaldach entered turn 1 at Road America he hit brakes on his Camaro GT.R and as the race driver put it "nothing happened". More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5815629&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[The Very First Porsche Wagon]]> Two decades before they would consider selling wagonesque sedans to the general public, Porsche took a 928 and added a bulbous rear as a gift for the 75th birthday of company founder Ferry Porsche. It was called the Study H50. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5716952&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Mazda Shinari Concept: Beauty, Grace, Fantasy]]> The Mazda Shinari bowed in the folded-and-creased sheet-metal at today's Los Angeles Auto Show, showing off new "KODO" design language that should lead the way for future Mazda vehicles. We still sorta miss Nagare. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5692838&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[This Racing Mazdaspeed RX-8's Missing A Heart]]> The racing FXDD Mazdaspeed RX-8's an attractive race car, but floor reporter Corbin Coodwin couldn't help but notice that, like the Tin Man, it's missing a heart. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5692417&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[The Most Awesome Petrolhead Birthday Gift Ever]]> I’ve turned 30 today. My wife and her mother got me a set of bespoke cufflinks in the shape of Wankel engine rotors. Life is officially awesome. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5623668&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[REPORT: Next Mazda RX-7 To Be Turbocharged]]> The next Mazda RX-7 will be turbocharged, possibly electrically. Annnnnd we still miss the FD. [Autocar] More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5593625&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[REPORT: Mazda To Axe RX-8]]> The slow-selling refreshed Mazda RX-8 is on its way out according to a source at Mazda HQ. Fortunately, a new Mazda RX-7 is rumored to be in the works. Wanks for the memories! [Motor Trend] More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5531706&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[REPORT: Mazda RX-7 Is The New RX-8]]> To combat the upcoming Toyota FT-86 and the Hyundai Genesis Coupe, Mazda's preparing a replacement for the slow-selling RX-8. Reports from Japan indicate the automaker's looking to revive the RX-7. Fast and the Furai? Sadly, not so much. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5435351&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[iPhone-Controlled Mazda RX-8 Not As Cool As It Sounds]]> When Jon Oxer decided to hook up his Mazda RX-8 to his iPhone, he had a car poised to impress hot-librarian-type women. Instead, he developed something likely only to impress dudes in Linux penguin t-shirts. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5195907&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Green Wankel: Hydrogen-Powered Mazda RX-8 Hits Norway]]> Combining an alternative fuel with an alternative engine design, this hydrogen-powered rotary-engined Mazda RX-8 has hit the Norwegian roads, one of 30 of the RX-8s for use in Norway as commercial leases. The hydrogen RX-8s are part of a program directed towards making hydrogen-powered vehicles mainstream in the kingdom in an effort to reduce pollution. The only emission from the tailpipe of a hydrogen-powered vehicle is water vapor, and we're impressed these hydrogen-powered Mazdas are more than just vaporware. Press release after the jump. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5065203&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[The Ten Most Gorgeous Japanese Cars Currently For Sale]]> They said it couldn't be done. They said compiling a list of ten gorgeous Japanese cars currently for sale was a fool's errand. What they didn't know was that in Japan the cars aren't designed to be as purposeful and uncharismatic as many of their American offerings. In fact, half of the cars on the list are not sold in the United States. And while no cars from the land of the rising sun made it onto our Ten Most Beautiful Cars list, it was easier than we thought to find these ten most gorgeous Japanese cars. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5041398&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[2008 Mazda RX-8, Part Three]]> Why you should buy this car: More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=385842&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[2008 Mazda RX-8, Part Two]]> Exterior Design:*** More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=385520&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[2008 Mazda RX-8, Part One]]> I'm going to go ahead and hazard a marketing-based guess that the good folks at Mazda want me to think of the 2008 Mazda RX-8 40th Anniversary Edition as the culmination of their design and engineering genius. Unfortunately, the first thing going through my mind was that the suicide-doored, rotary-engined little 2+2 is one profoundly and unapologetically weird automobile. And figuring out whether the RX-8 was the refreshing and fun Mitch Hedberg/Lotus Europa/Devo kind of weird or the exhausting and tiresome Gallagher/Citröen DS/Buckethead kind of weird was not immediately apparent to me as I tried like hell to get as far from the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway as possible. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=384556&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Mazda Announces Beijing Motor Show Lineup Including Taiki Concept, Mazda6]]> Mazda has announced its duds for the Beijing Motor Show that will be taking place towards the latter half of April. To be unveiled at the show is the new revision of the Mazda6, which will be known as the Mazda Atenza in Japan. Also set to be shown off is the Taiki Concept, which looks like something even Batman wouldn't drive. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=372493&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Mazda Furai Concept Running in Display Stand]]> You thought you had seen the last of the 2008 Mazda Furai concept didn't you? We certainly had enough coverage on the lusty concept that didn't make Popular Mechanics' Top 10 New Cars of Detroit list. What with the teaser photos, track video, live reveal shots, and super sneaky close ups - but no, we're not done yet. How about video of the ethanol powered Nagare-gasm running on the floor of the Detroit Auto Show? Would you like that? Yeah, we thought you would. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=346591&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Detroit Auto Show: 2009 Mazda RX8 Officially Unveiled]]> Not that it's a surprise to anybody, but the new RX-8 looks a lot like the preview shots we brought you earlier. Shown in a very Subaru shade of blue, the RX-8 is in fact destined for an update. Most of the changes happen in the nose with slightly revised headlights, a new grill treatment, the hood has a bigger rotary shaped indent, and of course the trend of the day - faux side vents. Sadly those side vents can only be attributed to additional horsepower of the psychological kind. Check out the live galleries and there's an exhaustive press release below the fold. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=344164&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Detroit Auto Show: Up Close and Personal with the 2008 Mazda Furai]]> We just can't get enough of the 2008 Mazda Furai concept. We brought you preview pics, video, and live floor shots. That's all well and good, but thanks to some overzealous designers, we now have pictures showing off the whole enchilada. Engine bay, interior, detailed close ups... we want it; we want it bad. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=344613&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Detroit Auto Show: 2008 Mazda Furai Concept]]> We brought you the first shots of the 2009 Mazda Furai Concept a couple weeks ago, and some hot video yesterday, now we've got photos from the floor of the 2008 Detroit Auto Show. In person the Furai is poetry even without the motion - long and low and wide, it is a monster in Nagare clothing. All it needs is me in a matching fire suit and helmet. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=344149&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[2009 Mazda Furai Concept on Video: Auditory Bliss]]>
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]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=344181&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Detroit Auto Show: Mazda RX-8 RS Images Released Before Tokyo]]> Before the facelifted RX-8 makes its debut at the Detroit Auto Show, the facelifted RX-8 RS was supposed to show up at the Tokyo Auto Salon. The smart money says that, with a few minor exceptions (those wheels, for one), this is what the new RX-8 for North America is going to look like. Mazda released two photos of the RX-8 today and then the nice people at MotorAuthority decided to release a whole bevy of photos showing off every angle of the new RX-8. Some blogs these days, we tell ya. More below the jump. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=343229&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Detroit Auto Show: Scan Of Facelifted RX-8 Leaks Onto The Web]]> We have a scan of the a facelifted RX-8 for those tempted to give in and buy a new RX-8 before the next generation RX-9 is available for purchase. The rotorheads over at Mazda-Madness.nl managed to pick up this Japanese mag story of the Mazda RX-8 RS, which will bow at the Tokyo Auto Salon and include those fierce looking wheels, Recaro seats (as pictured), spoiler and new rear suspension. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=340506&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Could This Be The 2012 Mazda RX-9?]]> The illustrator's over at Winding Road have been having fun with a possible future RX-9 based on previous concepts such as the Mazda Nagare. Their guesstimation picks up some of the Nagare aft of the A-pillar, with a modernization of lines from the current generation RX-8 and last generation RX-7 in the rear. As for under the hood, guesses range from a modified Renesis to something as out-of-character as a V8. But before you rotorheads get up in arms, remember this is all just educated dart throwing. [WindingRoad] More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=339216&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Mazda to Reveal Furai Concept, 2009 Mazda RX-8 at Detroit Auto Show]]> Mazda's just revealed the above shot of the Mazda Furai concept vehicle along with the release below the jump detailing the Japanese-by-way-of-Dearborn automaker's game plan for the 2008 Detroit Auto Show next month. Want to know what the Furai is? Well, if the track background behind the cockpit doesn't give you some indication, here's a paragraph lifted directly from the press release:
"Furai takes Mazda's unique Nagare (Japanese for "flow") design language a step further as it is translated into a concept car based on an American Le Mans Series (ALMS) racing car. The car utilizes the Courage C65 chassis the company campaigned in the ALMS series only two seasons ago, and the 450-hp three-rotor rotary engine that distinguishes it from anything else on the track."
C65 chassis and a 450-HP rotary? Yes, please. Oh, and did we mention they'll be showing off the "heavily revised" Mazda RX-8? Waiter, would you mind adding one of those to the order too? Full press release below the jump. Want to see a high-res photo of the Furai teaser shot? Click here. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=332796&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Mazda Celebrates 40 Rotary-Powered Years... In Japan]]> Hard to believe, but it's been forty years since Mazda started selling vehicles with rotary engines. Their marketers aren't trumpeting their pride over that milestone in the US of A, probably because the '67 models weren't sold here, but it's a different story in Japan. You can get a special 40th Anniversary Edition RX-8 over there; the rest of us will have to settle for the cool Wankelated graphics on Mazda's Japanese site, which has a nice slideshow of rotary Mazdas over the decades. [mazda.co.jp] More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=290778&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Question of the Day: Which Car Missed it by that Much?]]> We slowly passed a black Mazda RX-8 today and from certain angles we thought it hot. But then you get along side of it and there they are — those stupid faux mini-doors. First of all, the fake-doors are too small for adults to get into, so the only thing they are good for is easing the rugrats' ingress and egress. And if you have little kids you know that all they want to do is climb all over stuff anyhow. Why not let them clamber over seats? And if the silly, useless doors go away (and please, don't tell me how great they are for loading groceries — we don't care) and the wheelbase gets four or five inches lopped off the RX-8 would be a stunner. Except for the ill-thought out triangles found below the nose and tail. See friends, the "piston" in a Wankel engine has three sides just like a triangle. And for who knows what reason, Mazda's designers thought it would be cute to visually remind us of this fact whenever we look at the car. Hey Mazda, the people who know and care that the RX-8 has a rotary engine do not need to be reminded of that fact. Those that don't know what a rotary engine is sure as hell aren't going to get the geometric reference. Anyhow, what car do think think is nearly the bees' knees but upon closer inspection really isn't? Also, Agent 99 is way hot. – Jonny Lieberman More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=255421&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Spec'ing the Next Mazda RX-8]]> That funky extra from Hollywood found this spec image of the next Mazda RX-8, reportedly set to debut in 2009 as a 2010 model. The artiste who rendered such — likely for an unnamed Japanese magazine — pulled some cues from the Mazda Kabura concept. Yeah, that makes sense, though we've heard other stories of a return to the RX-7 model based on the MX-5 Miata's underpinnings. Yeah, no one has a clue. – Mike Spinelli More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=232221&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[SUPER JDM POTENTIAL: Mazda to Show off Concepts, Mazdaspeed Models at Tokyo Auto Salon 2007]]> The Tokyo Auto Salon — Japan's tuner extravaganza — will again hit Makuhari Messe this January, and Mazda's already begun teasing. The company announced it was bringing 17 custom cars and tuner models, including two takes on the CX-7 crossover set to debut in Japan this month, dubbed the "Bright Stylish Concept" (above, based on the North American model already in production) and the "CX-7 Mazdaspeed Concept," a performance-oriented version of the rake-windshield, chop-top SUV. Mazda's also planning to show three other CX-7s, customized by Japanese shops Kenstyle, DAMD and Audio Mania, along with Masdaspeed versions of the Axela (Mazdaspeed3) and RX-8 and various mod jobs based on its MPV, Roadster (MX-5), Premacy (Mazda5) and Verisa. Better book your sleeping pods now, before all the car club kids come into town and take over all the best capsule hotels. – Mike Spinelli More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=221717&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Buzzing Mazdas Return to Hive: SevenStock 9]]> Before SEMA overwhelmed us all with gadget trickery and booty shaking, the ninth annual SevenStock enveloped Mazda USA's HQ in sheer rotary madness. Along with the faithful rolling in rotary-powered rides from around the world, Mazda rolled out some historical race machines from its museum into the rabid crowd. This RX-2 won the first race of any Mazda in the US and was a project car for Car and Driver magazine. Former Chrysler engineer and then C&D editor Pat Bedard piloted the little Mazda in the IMSA "Baby Grand" series as a key part of the project. Rules for the running dictated very limited mods and required the compact and subcompact cars to run on street tires! And no, we still don't know Jay Leno even though he does have a Cosmo. Behold the full SevenStock 9 spread in the [Gallery] – Mike Bumbeck More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=213318&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Yes, Prodrive Is Building a Limited-Edition Mazda RX8]]> A few months back, a tipster wrote in about attending an event, during which a Prodrive rep had introduced a plan to offer new, UK-only special-edition RX-8s for Mazda. Now, it's been confirmed. The motorsports firm is slapping its big P on the RX-8 PZ, based on the top-line RX-8. The limited edition model includes a choice of black or gray paint, Prodrive-branded 18" OZ alloys, aerodynamically friendly side mirrors and a functional rear spoiler. What kind of Prodrive-conjured madness lies under the hood? Gotta be what? Twin turbos? 400hp? A nitrous bottle? Hyperspace button? Nope. No engine mods to speak of. Bollocks. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=172314&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Mazdaspeed Debuts RX-8 GT Car]]> Next to GM's $375,000 Grand American Road Racing Rolex Series GTO, Mazdaspeed's turnkey entry looks like a bargain. The Mazda motorsports division is teaming with Florida firm SpeedSource to build an RX-8 for the series that costs a downright economical $280,000. The carbon-fiber bodied racecar will use Mazda's 20B rotary engine (redline: 9,000 rpm) and a tube-frame chassis created by SpeedSource and Mazda says it will "offer a lucrative contingency awards program for the RX-8 in Grand-Am GT for the 2006 season." Incentive enough to spend a season listening to the sound of that crazy buzzsaw in your ear? Maybe. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=138528&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Is Prodrive Building a Limited-Edition Mazda RX8?]]> A tipster writes in with juicy gossip for Mazda RX8 fans (Ben, are you listening?): A source attending a performance driving course at motorsports engineering firm Prodrive's campus near Banbury, a perk Mazda RX8 buyers in the UK receive with their purchase, says an official Mazda/Prodrive presentation included a notable announcement. According to a "senior Prodrive guy" Prodrive will tune 750 special-edition RX8s for Mazda, to be available sometime next year. "Mostly suspension and handling work," he said. While it's likely these cars will be UK-only (sorry, Ben), it does bode well for future projects that could be US-worthy. [Thanks to Phil for the tip.] More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=132769&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Ben's RX-8: He's Loved it Long Time]]> Jalopnik contributor Ben Mauceri seriously digs his Mazda RX-8. (Don't snicker, you trogs.) He can't hear the criticisms lodged against his beloved (e.g., slow, poor mileage) over the roar of love; he knows his 8 is a misunderstood sports car with benefits, and anybody who doesn't think so is merely uninitiated. And he's embarked on a series of articles on Triplezoom.com chronicling life with the RX-8 to prove it. In the first installment, he points out that the car speaks to him in a way that's not necessarily obvious from its spec sheet. We're listening, Ben. More »
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