Just remember, there is a considerable HP difference between the Manual and
Automatic transmissions models on the RX-8. On the 2008 model for instance, the
MT will get you 232 HP and 9000 RPM redline, whereas the AT only yields 212 HP
and has a 7500 RPM redline. However, I'm not sure what the number difference was
for the 2002 year model.
At Anglesey it is slower as a Astra OPC (FWD), at Zoldern (Netherlands) it is
the second slowest of all cars.. in Japan it does not perfrom good in Italy it
does not perfrome good.. means something..
The engine is interesting to drive, but unfortunately a bit lazy. The only time
I drove it, it was just after I drove a Golf 1,4 GT and it almost didn't feel
any faster. But the steering wheel feedback and great suspension and handling
make it great fun to drive.
As for the 0-60 time every Rx8 is different. For example the jap model has 247
hp and the uk has 228 with the same same engine components (ecu must have been
remaped due to emission laws). I have only just learned how to take care of the
8 Properly and the main problems which cause a big drop in power are week stock
ignition and exhaust/engine debris build up. I would say 95% of all stock used
231 rx8's dont put out more than 200hp or 170whp which makes it feel very poor.
6.6sec is one of these underperforming even if brand new stock. Get the custom
made ignition solution from mazsport and kep the engine and cat clean and u will
have an rx8 that kicks ass. The ignition upgrade will cut the 1/4 mile time
by.5sec compared to brand new stock and gives about 10whp!
Yes but aren't they the same apart from some small cosmetic tweaks? ie. the
engine is the same.... didn't seem much point adding a new car to the database
when the old and new versions are virtually identical.
Production started in 2002... first RX-8 showed up in Germany (outside car
shows) in August 2002 during a event to celebrate Felix Wankel 100th birthday
(Felix Wankel the father of the rotary engine).. 2002 is correct