Mazda RX-8 2009 News

Manufacturers including BMW, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), Peugeot and Citroen have issued recalls via the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

6149 vehicles have been recalled including the Mazda RX-8 and new Volkswagen Tiguan.

Only a fraction of the 1.2 million cars on Australia roads with airbags that can spray shrapnel have been fixed, new figures show.

   

Mazda has indicated it is considering putting rotary power back into a sports car, possibly in the form of a merger between the MX-5 and the RX-8. Mazda CEO Takashi Yamanouchi has repeatedly ensured the future of the rotary powerplant - despite the RX-8 production scheduled to end in 2012 - "we will continue the research on the rotary engine - we won't extinguish the flame of the rotary engine," he said.The joint-venture sports coupe developed by Toyota and Subaru has kept the door open for a rotary sports car from Mazda, including the possibility of a rotary-powered MX-5."That kind of product is iconic for our brand, so the current MX-5 or RX-8 we have decided in the future to maintain that kind of product, I can't say if they will be separate - they may be merged into one," the CEO says.Mazda Research and development director Hirotaka Kanazawa confirmed the next MX-5 would remain naturally-aspirated with a Skyactiv powerplant of similar outputs to the current car's 118kW/188Nm outputs (for example, the incoming CX-5 SUV has a direct-injection two-litre producing 114kW and 196Nm), but less burdened by weight.The modern-classic Mazda sportscar will be taken back to its roots, with weight reduction targets aimed at taking the 1135kg two-seater (in its lightest guise) below a one tonne kerb weight, while retaining a soft top and hard top model."We want to go back to the lightweight sports origins, the power is not so much, it is easy to handle and it is fun to drive," he says. Kanazawa-san also says the company is aiming to reduce weight without compromising crash safety performance, which would entail using Skyactiv high-strength steel body structures and composite plastic materials for a hard-top. "We must achieve crash safety, starting with CX-5 the Skyactiv body with load paths and enhanced crash safety, we will apply this to our rear-wheel drive."The R&D director didn't rule out turbocharged versions of the sub-two-litre Skyactiv engines - "We haven't decided that we won't do turbocharging, but first of all we wanted to enhance combustion efficiency of naturally-aspirated engine, that was our first priority"- but maintains the first priority was developing naturally-aspirated engines.

As Carsguide reported two weeks ago, production will end soon and the final cars are likely to drive out of local showrooms by the middle of next year. Mazda has a farewell edition of the RX-8 in Japan, called the Spirit R, and it's now being assessed as a potential sign-off special in Australia. But the end of sales in the USA and falling demand in Japan, with Europe also out of the action, means the end was inevitable. "We knew it was going to come to an end at some point, but our plan is that the RX-8 will still continue in our lineup until 2012," says Steve Maciver, spokesman for Mazda Australia. "Production in Japan continues until June next year. As it is, there is a limited-edition car on the agenda and we're looking at it. Japan decided they wanted to end on high. "But we haven't made a decision on whether we will take it. So watch this space." The RX-8 Spirit R is only a cosmetic tweak, with red-painted brake calipers, Recaro sports seats and 19-inch alloys on the manual model, with the automatic picking up red highlights in the cabin, sports suspension and 18-inch alloys. Only three colours are available - silver, black and white - and production has been pegged at 1000 cars. For now, Mazda Australia says it expects to be able to satisfy RX-8 fans with the cars it has in Australia and a limited number to come from Japan. "We've got stock for about three or four months, at the current selling rate," says Maciver. Even though the RX-8 is the only major Mazda model now using a rotary engine the company refuses to give up on the unique powerplant. It is still working on a hydrogen version in Japan and is chasing the future efficiency that would be needed to meet strict new CO2 emission standards around the world. "Development of next-generation rotary engines continues and it's still definitely on the agenda for us. We believe rotary is still something we want to develop as a company. We do still see potential for it in the future. We have to extract better performance and fuel efficiency and that's what the guys are working on," says Maciver.

The rotary-powered sports car has just been dumped in the USA but, just as happened in 1995 when America killed the RX-7 early because of slow sales, it will roll on here. The RX-8 continues in Mazda's Australian catalogue until at least 2012 despite falling sales here, with only 52 sold in the seven months of 2011 against 156 at the same time last year. Just four cars were delivered in July, according to official VFacts figures, compared with 18 in July 2010. "RX-8 is alive and kicking. Production has not stopped," says Doug Dickson, managing director of Mazda Australia. Dickson believes this year's local results are being judged unfairly because of the supply problems from Japan. "Production and sales of RX-8 within Australia are ongoing. 2011 production of RX-8 was affected by the Tsunami. Sales in Australia, year-to-date July, are 52 making 6361 units in total since sales commenced in July 2003." The situation is different in other countries, as the RX-8 was pulled from Europe last year when its unique rotary engine could not meet toughening emissions standards in some countries. In the USA, the car has been hit by the weakness of the American dollar against the Japanese yen that has contributed to first-half losses at Mazda USA of close to $100 million. Despite falling support for the RX-8, Mazda is continuing development of the rotary engine. "The rotary engine is part of Mazda's heritage and its development continues," says Dickson. Apart from hydrogen power for the rotary, Mazda has also been working on direct fuel injection and other changes for a next-generation powerplant known as the 16X. It was previewed at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2007 with the promise of lower emissions, better economy and more power, but has been overtaken by the latest SkyActiv technologies developed by Mazda for all its models led by the next Mazda3.

While the original MX-5 was quite a basic car; nicely appointed but hardly luxurious, the current iteration with its 20 years of refinement is in a new league. The Mazda designers have managed to evolve the car over that time, completely changing it along the way while always keeping it exactly the same. They have developed a look that is instantly recognisable through three major redesigns while improving it with each iteration.In its market space the MX-5 Roadster Coupe has only two true competitors, the BMW Z4 and the Mercedes SLK. These are the three two-seat rear-drive roadsters currently available with the folding metal hardtop. The MX-5 is by some margin the cheapest. The fact that it does not have the prestige of the Germans does not diminish its appeal, however as there are a large percentage of buyers that simply like it as a package over the other two. All three for some reason suffer from the hair-dresser reputation, which in our opinion is ridiculous.When the new top was first introduced, a number of automotive journalist where asking why bother, it's not broken, it doesn't need fixing. The soft-top and the experience it brings may not be broken but the folding hardtop has enormous appeal for many buyers. Drivetrain Power comes from a 2-litre, 16 valve DOHC in-line four cylinder engine that develops 118kW at 7000 rpm in the manual version and 118kW at 6700rpm in the automatic we tested with paddle shifters. Both develop a maximum 188 Nm of torque at 5000rpm. Exterior With 20 years of very good sales it would be hard to find anybody who can’t recognise an MX-5. The Roadster Coupe with its folding hardtop adds a bump to the body behind the seats. This metal torneau manages to not adversely impact the simply lines of the car. The 17-in wheels fill the continuous arch of the wheel wells beautifully and the whole package is very neat.Interior The cocoon that is the cockpit is appealing to all senses. Visibility is very good and the only thing that may be troubling initially is finding the petrol cap release - it's in the compartment between the back of the seats.  Operation of the folding hardtop is a simple lever release near the rear vision mirror and then it’s a matter of holding the button down until it buzzes - all while in Park. Just do the same in reverse to put it back up. Safety The MX-5 features both front & side SRS airbags, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) as well as Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) which alters power delivery when the car judges it needs to intervene with an overly aggressive turn-in. This can be switched off.Pricing The MX-5 starts at $43,850 for the base manual soft top and goes through to $53,655 for the folding hardtop with automatic and the Sports package (as tested). This excludes all current additional charges and taxes.Driving Driving is a joy. It is far from a hardcore sports car but it does give you a refined sports car experience.  Steering is very direct, as it should be - you point it and goes and stays where you point it. The steering we found very neutral with no surprises.The cockpit is very comfortable and there is not a great deal of road noise for a small two-seat. A bit more engine note into the cockpit would actually be a good thing.  It is extremely easy to drive - in automatic you can just putter around sedately and feel comfortable. Rev it a bit and start using the paddles correctly and it becomes a true sports car.SummaryThe Mazda MX-5 is the epitome of a practical sports car.  It has its market space all to itself as you need to move up several price rungs to reach the competition. While the competition might beat it in the performance stakes, they still only equal it on overall appeal to many buyers.  The MX-5 is also quite a practical mode of transport if you don't need space. It is easy to park, fits in small garages and only consumes 8.1l/100km.Verdict: 9.1/10

Only 200 examples of the RX-8 Anniversary model, priced at $55,840, are being brought to Australia. Mazda launched its rotary engine in 1967, the engine gaining recognition mainly in the R100, RX-3 and succession of RX-7 models until 1998. The rotary engine, and the RX sports-car prefix, reappeared in 2003 when the RX-8 was launched. The RX-8 has had good success, winning a string of car awards globally, including the Wheels magazine Car of the Year. It is notable due to its pair of smaller rear doors allowing access for rear passengers, yet maintaining a two-door sports coupe style. The Anniversary edition comes with the 170kW version of the high-revving Renesis rotary engine, which also generates 211Nm of torque and feeds its power to a six-speed manual transmission. It has a unique leather and Alcantara-trimmed interior with leather cladding on steering wheel, handbrake lever and gearshift. It gets Bilstein shockers and a special suspension cross member to aid handling. The Anniversary RX-8 wears high-gloss 18in alloy wheels, a special rear spoiler, sunroof and blue reflector fog lights. The standard RX-8 (from $48,990) has a premium Bose sound system, traction control, stability control, six airbags and climate-control airconditioning. Mazda also has confirmed it has developed a 2009 RX-8 with “a refreshed exterior and interior” design and offering an R3 sport package for enthusiasts. Mazda claims the RX-8 now is the only mass-produced passenger car powered by a rotary engine.

It's the sort of odd-couple relationship that really shouldn't work ... but does. North America's eternal fascination with giant trucks and muscle machines continues