Turbocharged Mazda RX-8 to campaign in 2009 Targa Tasmania

Michael Harley — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 16:29:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Mazda, Australia, Specialty

Click above for high-res image gallery of Mazda's turbocharged RX-8

Mazda's turbocharged RX-8 SP will be making its Australian rally debut at the 2009 Targa Tasmania. The 2,821-pound sports car, driven by Steve Glenney and co-driver Bernia Webb, will be competing in the "Showroom 2WD" class.

Developed by Mazda Motorsport Australia, the coupe is powered by a rotary turbo engine rated at about 275-horsepower, with a six-speed manual transmission sending power to the rear wheels. "The RX-8's perfect 50/50 weight balance will give it a huge dynamic advantage on Tasmania's twisting roads. That, combined with its torquey turbocharged engine, will make the RX-8 SP a standout at this year's Targa," says Glenney.

The grueling race runs from April 28 to May 3, and covers 1890 km (1,174 miles) including 40 competitive closed-road stages.

Gallery: Turbocharged Mazda RX-8 at 2009 Targa Tasmania

[Source: Mazda]

Continue reading Turbocharged Mazda RX-8 to campaign in 2009 Targa Tasmania

Turbocharged Mazda RX-8 to campaign in 2009 Targa Tasmania originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Mar 2009 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mazda releases two images of updated RX-8 RS, many more leaked

John Neff — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 09:04:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Coupe, Performance, Japan, Mazda, Misc. Auto Shows

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]

Gallery: Mazda RX-8 RS

Mazda releases two images of updated RX-8 RS, many more leaked originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Jan 2008 09:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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