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]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
max 1:19PM (2/17/2008)
Benfolio wrote: 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."
This is total hogwash! While the RX-8 needs a top up of oil, it is more like every 1000-1500 miles, not every fuel stop. The flooding problem was licked a LONG time ago, and few owners experienced it.
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max 1:31PM (3/16/2008)
Oh, and by the way- the oiling system Benfolio spoke about may use MORE oil- there are now TWO oil metering units, and oil capacity has been bumped up to compensate.
Benfolio knows nothing about these cars.......
max 1:41PM (2/17/2008)
DCragtop wrote:
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.>>
Based on your comments, I doubt you ever owned an 8. What I do find amazing is how easy it is to slander a product anonymously, without any vetting of the poster's comments. Anyone here can visit the RX-8 forums on line, where owners from all over the world can compare notes. I defy anyone to back up the comments DCrag and Benfolio made on the basis of a genuine ownership experience.
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Ligor 9:08AM (1/10/2008)
those wheel are hideous
just liek that c pillar
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John R 9:12AM (1/10/2008)
wha?
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
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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.
Hugo 10:26AM (1/10/2008)
God, the headlights look like a Peugeot 407's. Bad.
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Steve_S 9:28AM (1/10/2008)
Talk about a mild update.
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Fretjr1 9:29AM (1/10/2008)
Borat: very nice!
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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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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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?