Given that its launch, the Mazda RX8 has been the topic of shut scrutiny by enthusiasts. The substantial amount of notice is not only due to the car’s admirable driving dynamics but, in component to the early experiences of underneath-than-envisioned functionality. To be additional unique: wheel horsepower measured on a number of chassis dynamometer operates resulted in values very well beneath the predicted 17%~20% drivetrain parasitic losses. And quarter mile runs of any place among .5 and 1.5 seconds off of people created by publications on allegedly pre-creation motor vehicles.
In connection with the RX8’s horsepower score: the original promoting materials from Mazda North America (MNAO) advertised the 6 pace guide transmission RX8 at 247hp @ 8,500rpm. Assuming parasitic drivetrain loses involving 17%-20% -frequent for fashionable rear wheel generate motor vehicles, a stock RX8 really should evaluate in between 205~197 horsepower at the rear wheels (rwhp) -depending on elevation, barometric stress, temperature and correction variables utilized. Alternatively, a inventory RX8 chassis dyno run exhibits effects ranging anyplace from mid-high ~160 to ~185rwhp. These readings would stand for parasitic drivetrain loses in extra of 25%. To say that, it is unacceptable to knowledge this kind of a superior level of decline by the drivetrain of a “sporting activities auto” with a carbon fiber push shaft -among other matters- is an understatement.
To additional consolidate doubts about the real ability output of the new Renesis, several entrepreneurs have been unable to reproduce mid-reduced 14 2nd quarter mile passes -as noticed published by very well regarded U.S. vehicle magazines. Small lure speeds have been one more hint towards the apparent deficiency of energy output.
Shortly immediately after, several debates on online fanatic forums and dialogue boards turned into heated arguments as to what was leading to these kinds of lousy “straight line effectiveness.” Lots of previous Miata house owners remembered a former “snafu” in Mazda’s history, when the producer admittedly overstated the horsepower figures of their redesigned Mazda Miata.
Following a several months, MNAO arrived ahead and explained that they had misrepresented the Renesis’ power output. The revised figure was now 238hp @ 8,500rpm having said that, in accordance to MNAO, this revision did not change the earlier achieved observe performance effects.
Speculations about the factors driving the unexpected absence of ability output had been a lot of. Even so, there are at present two faculties of believed:
- The initial just one supports the notion that the RX-8’s engine administration device (Eu), in conjunction with the many “nanny” gadgets -this kind of as Abs & TCS- do not permit to acquire exact readings from a chassis dynamometer. To simplify, when the auto is operate on a chassis dyno, only the pushed wheels are turning. The RX-8’s Eu would detect an irregular driving scenario and retard timing and utilize other protection actions to protect both the “driver” or the “motor” -or each- from destruction (read through: skidding scenario, or a auto heading out of the street.)
- The next one particular believes that MNAO was pressured to re-engineer the software package that runs the engine management even prior to the 1st batch of RX-8’s reached U.S. shores, due to upcoming Federal emissions regulations. I have read of 1 in specific, which demands catalytic converter lifespan of ~100,000 miles. The enemy number a single of catalytic converters on any vehicle is warmth (and warmth is the number one particular attribute of rotary engine’s exhaust gases.)
MNAO available two possibilities to those people who experienced pre-ordered an RX-8, or experienced bought no late than September 2003:
- They would acquire back the auto, no thoughts requested.
- They would supply Cost-free Scheduled Maintenance for the life of the guarantee, moreover a 500 greenback “reward card” to those who opted to preserve the automobile.
I was among all those who opted to keep their RX-8. Soon after all, the driving knowledge experienced not modified considering that exam driving the vehicle prior to acquiring it. Considering that August 2003 I have clocked perfectly more than 20,000 miles -as of 1/18/2005- and I have but one ounce of regret about my selection. If you’d like to browse more about owners’ views, visit this thread @ RX8Club.com
There have been a range of Ecu “updates” introduced for the duration of the previous 2 a long time. To the greatest of my awareness, all early samples of ’04 RX-8s, came from port with level “J” of motor management program. Considering that then, we have escalated all the way by means of the alphabet to “M” -which was released on a TSB campaign by Mazda North The us (MSP04) in purchase to have ALL vehicles taken in for Services @ Approved Dealers flashed to “M” calibration.