Spy Shots: 2010 Mazda RX-8
by John Neff on Dec 10th 2007 at 2:00PM 
click above image to view spy shots of the 2010 Mazda RX-8
Spy photographers for Brenda Priddy & Co. caught this very early development mule for the next-generation Mazda RX-8 testing, and it appears to be wearing a few of the car's new design elements that are obscured by covering. Priddy believes the cosmetic update will be quite extensive, though the basic layout of the car, its 2+2 seating and rear access doors will remain. The front covering is hiding what appears to be the new front end, and doing so very well. The headlights appear to be the same as the current car, though the side markers are also covered up and bulge out, indicating that the new car will likely be wider. Out back, meanwhile, are new taillights, as well. Some diagnostic equipment appears hooked up to one of the tailpipes, which also could indicate a new rotary for the RX-8, most likely the 16X Renesis that first appeared in the Taiki Concept at this year's Tokyo Motor Show. We're just speculating, of course, as the current RX-8 is still scheduled for sales duty up to at least the 2010 model year.
[Photos: Brenda Priddy & Co.]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
naggs 2:05PM (12/10/2007)
good to see them working on the new rotary already, hopefully it wont be so inefficient
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MikeW 2:55PM (12/10/2007)
Yup, it has the direct injection.
coop 12:20AM (12/11/2007)
That is not a 2010. It is the 2008 special edition coming out in January.
Donald 2:16PM (12/10/2007)
Hope they're not using that Skoda wagon as a benchmark for testing.
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David(Postal) 2:22PM (12/10/2007)
She needs more power captain! The car sold well... I bet it would sell much more if they put more power in there
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Dave in MI 2:55PM (12/10/2007)
Well, more power and better fuel economy. Not easy things to raise in pairs.
Yaroukh 3:24PM (12/10/2007)
More power? 170kW is not enough? You mean more torque, right?
David(Postal) 3:26PM (12/10/2007)
wow 16/22 MPG... I get better on my V8
Hank 2:26PM (12/10/2007)
I see new side blinkers on the front fender!!
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ronald 2:32PM (12/10/2007)
"Hope they're not using that Skoda wagon as a benchmark for testing."
LMAO... seriously that made me laugh
on a serious note.. the rx-8 sorely needs some torque. if they can get that incorporated, along with some more impressive HP numbers maybe bump it up to 280 possibly, then it is a true contender for other coupes such as 350z, s2000 etc in my opinion
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mikomi 2:55PM (12/10/2007)
I agree that torque needs to be addressed. Mazda doesn't need to bump up the HP that much, another 50HP would be great though (dreaming here, lol). Impressive HP numbers definitely help sales. However, the key things with the RX-8 are improving handling and increasing torque, emphasis on torque. Shedding some extra pounds would help as in the word of Chapman, "add lightness."
David Gevert 2:39PM (12/10/2007)
Hi Mazda...just wanted you to know, I was in the market for an RX-8 a few months ago...but concerns about reliability of your rotary engine as well as lack of torque pushed me to what I now drive, an '04 WRX...a shame too, I think the RX-8 is a beautiful car that is very well balanced. More power and more reliability...plz...kthxbai.
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sledge 3:09PM (12/10/2007)
Being a recent RX-8 owner I can tell you that the engine is pretty rock solid. I did 18000 miles in the year I owned it and it ran like a dream (I had to sell it when I moved). Having spoken to a lot of mazda techs and rotary owners, the basic advice for owning a rotary is to make sure you drive it like you stole it.
According to the techs, most of the engines they saw that had had trouble were the ones that were really babied and never revved up. So basically they ended up with carbon build-up on the valves which you really only burn off once you get north of 5k-6krpm.
On a side not (and this is not directed to you at all), I will admit that the lack of any torque can be a major turnoff. While I love rotaries myself, they are not for everyone, and as much as I loved my RX-8, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone but only the most devoted of gearheads. In fact I wouldn't recommend anyone buy it just to look cool, because they do require a good amount of attention.
David Gevert 3:15PM (12/10/2007)
Sonova...I should've bought an RX-8 then, because I sure do drive my WRX like I stole it sometimes. My Scooby sees redline on a probably-way-too-frequent basis, LOL.
broosewee 3:25PM (12/10/2007)
I was in the same boat as you were, looking at an RX-8, but decided to go with the 02 WRX. No complaints, but I do know I will own a rotary powered Mazda one day in my life. They're very sleek and it handled well when I test drove it.
I truly believe Mazda can bump up the power without sacrificing MPG's. Or vice versa. Please do it Mazda!
GDUB 3:59PM (12/10/2007)
Yeah Torque is a problem I tried racing a XLR of the line and he had a jump start and dam he had half a car length till we hit the 100s. I was not surprised but well i was bummed. Granted the XLR has more power but i was wishing i had a bit more low end for the launch. I love our RX8 versatility esp with 2 children. Gas mileage well our running joke is that we might as well own a Lambo.
naggs 5:54PM (12/10/2007)
its reliable because it didnt break in 18k?
let me know when its done 10 times that with no problems
David Gevert 2:40PM (12/10/2007)
The S2000 already desperately needs more torque as well.
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rndmnme 2:50PM (12/10/2007)
I wasn't aware it had torque to begin with.
MikeW 10:06PM (12/10/2007)
The S2000 should get variable valve timing, and maybe direct injection.
But it is Honda, and they think they can rest their laurels on 75ft-lbs / liter @6800rpm.