Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Coupes, Sports/GTs, Japan, Mazda, Misc. Auto Shows
Mazda releases two images of updated RX-8 RS, many more leaked
by John Neff on Jan 10th 2008 at 9:04AM 
click above for more images of the Mazda RX-8 RS
According to World Car Fans, the vehicle you see above is the JDM-only RX-8 RS that's scheduled to be unveiled this week at the Tokyo Auto Salon, Japan's version of our own aftermarket SEMA Show. In advance of the car's debut, Mazda was nice enough to release two images of the RX-8 RS with its fresh face and updates, some of which we may see in a few days on the standard RX-8 at the Detroit Auto Show. The rest of the 25 images we have in our gallery came from Motor Authority, higher-res versions of which are likely forthcoming from Mazda as soon as the car officially debuts.
The RX-8 RS features larger air intakes on the front fascia that now incorporate a set of flush-fitting fog lights. There's also a chin spoiler that flares out near the edges to divert air up and into the intakes. New taillights can be seen on the car's rear, as well as a spoiler we're not likely to get on garden-variety RX-8. We probably won't see those new 19-inch wheels either, but wouldn't mind if we did.
Mazda did not divulge any information with the two images it officially released, so we can't tell you what's under the hood of the RX-8 RS, whether the engine is an update of the current Renesis motor or an all-new one. The Detroit Auto Show starts on Sunday, at which time all will be revealed.
[Source: World Car Fans, Motor Authority]
_opt_thumbnail.jpg)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Ligor 9:08AM (1/10/2008)
those wheel are hideous
just liek that c pillar
Reply
John R 9:12AM (1/10/2008)
wha?
Steve_S 9:28AM (1/10/2008)
Talk about a mild update.
Reply
policyvote 9:28AM (1/10/2008)
sweet sweet sweet
A little bit of "something" has been lost, but much much more has been gained. It's a much more cohesive design overall. Vastly improved tails. The front view looks fantastic! A very very very well executed facelift on one of my very favorite designs.
Peace
policy
Reply
psarhjinian 1:01PM (1/10/2008)
It looks like it's riding a little higher, especially at the rear. Truthfully, it looks more like a Mazda, though I can't really guess why. Maybe it's the angle.
DCragtop 9:28AM (1/10/2008)
I didn't see the new oil quart carrying case/storage location in these photos. Is that a dealer installed or factory option at this point? For such a wonderful drivers car, let's hope that 'whats under the hood' is an improvement in quality.
Reply
evlmnky 10:26AM (1/10/2008)
You do realize that Rotary engines (including the Renesis) were DESIGNED to consume oil for combustion?
They dont burn oil because of some flaw...
SRX7 #77 1:13PM (1/10/2008)
@DCragtop: GET OVER IT! How many times do we have to repeat ourselves, and you morons keep harping on "Ew! It uses oil!". Sheesh.
Benfolio 1:13PM (1/10/2008)
John neglected to include the info (or photo) I sent him last night.
The engine oiling system has been improved to use about 5 times less oil. Before where you were having to top it off every fuel stop, it's every 4 or 5 now with the 2009. And for our customers in the Northern climates, the ECU has been rerprogrammed to all but eliminarte flooding, which has been happening at lower temps when the car is started, moved, and shut down after only running briefly.
The 2009 was here yesterday, lightly cammo'd, and I got a front shot of it. In person the rear looks similar except the tails, but the front looks much more agressive, with it's new headlights, fenders, and larger grille openings. This car did not have the side sills or lower aero peices seen on the RS model, but the dash looked the same (center stack covered with a towel), as did the steering wheel. I forgot to look at the seats, but I'm pretty sure if they were the Recaros pictured here, I would have noticed.
Benfolio 1:15PM (1/10/2008)
The '09s ECU and oiling system has been upgraded so the car used 4 times less oil. Also the cold engine flooding problem seems to have been solved.
There was a mule here yesterday, but John neglected to share the info or pic I sent along. :P
DCragtop 3:10PM (1/10/2008)
@SRX7 #77 : YOU get over it. When a person selects a car they are passionate about only to be able simply 'visit' that car at the dealership on a regular basis due to a major engineering issue, I'd say that my quality questions are of concern for a car that's going through an 09 'freshening'. So for an owner of an RX-8 to 'harp' on oil issues seems pretty f-n fair given what, oh I don't know, total cost of ownership and reliability being major factors in any car purchase. I had to trade my RX-8 because I wasn't able to drive it very often. If this were a BMW, Honda, GM, Ford or any other sports car that used as much oil and had engine failure, floodings, etc. 'morons' WOULD be complaining too...so, I'll GET OVER IT when the damn car gets a quality refresh and not just new f-n head and tail lights. At least Benfolio's comments were of value. If that info were included in this original article, no post would be ness. Then maybe the 'we' wouldn't have to repeat themselves. Jerk.
Fretjr1 9:29AM (1/10/2008)
Borat: very nice!
Reply
Jeremy 9:29AM (1/10/2008)
I can almost guarantee that this will not be an all new engine. The new 16x rotary will probably come out 09-10. I would be surprised if there are any changes to the powertrain at all.
Reply
Sungam 9:31AM (1/10/2008)
So they thought they needed to make it more bland ... horrible. Looks a bit like an Imprezza now and that's not a compliment.
Reply
Frylock350 10:52AM (1/10/2008)
I don't see the resemblance outside of the color. This doesn't have the boy-racer look the Impreza does. Its also not a 4dr econobox masquerading as a sports vehicle. The RX8 is a purpose build sports vehicle.
wow2 2:38PM (1/10/2008)
The current Impreza looks like a "boy-racer" and this doesn't? Well, I guess this looks more "boy-ricer", eh?
The 2008 WRX is a fairly toned-down affair, a functional hoodscoop is hardly "boy-racer", unless you consider a hood-mounted cooling device "boy-racer", and the Mini Cooper "boy-racer" and any other car with a hood scoop as "boy-racer".
You're joking, right?
bobo 2:46PM (1/10/2008)
If the Impreza is "masquerading", why would a WRX outperform this obviously superior "sports car"? Let me guess; The STI is masquerading too. Strange that it will eat ANY Mazda for breakfast, lunch and dinner, poop it out and do it again. With ease.
And hmmmm, tough choice; a whiny little, low-torque ricer that looks like a Transformer or a useful and comfy hatchback with a legendary, award-winning boxer engine and some of the best handling this side of the Pecos?
But hey, just like the Impreza of old, here's a minor update that does little to change the look of a dated design.
stefan 9:32AM (1/10/2008)
This is one of the best looking coupe's ever, i hope it gets the 16X. The RX8 realy needs more than 240BHP, 280BHP would be perfect.
Reply
Frylock350 10:37AM (1/10/2008)
They could always offer a Ford TwinForce/EcoBoost motor.
Carlos 9:33AM (1/10/2008)
It looks vaguely like the very first RX8 concept that they produced a while ago.
Reply