Mazda RX-8 gets mid-life tweak
Limited edition includes Prodrive tuition
Mazda is introducing a mid-life kicker model of its Mazda RX-8 rotary-powered four-door sports coupé -- and it includes a day's hooning at Prodrive's test facility.
Called the 'Mazda RX-8 Nemesis' the limited edition model features unique paint colours and interior trim, plus an exclusive accessory package, for £22,995 (on-the-road), which according to Mazda is £330 less than the model on which it is based when similarly specified. Mazda said it'll only build 350 of them.
Taking the standard 189bhp version of Mazda RX-8 with leather and a five-speed transmission as its foundation, the Nemesis offers a choice of two exclusive colours (Copper Red Mica and Stormy Blue Mica). The model gets a polished aluminium rotary crest on the front air dam, polished aluminium side air-outlet trims behind the front wheel arches, special B-pillar trims with a Rotary crest and ‘Nemesis’ badging.
Inside, these special edition models feature unique stone leather seat trim, plus Nemesis branded luxury carpet mats and Mazda RX-8 branded aluminium door scuff plates.
Like other standard RX-8s, the Nemesis has front fog lights, heated front seats, electrically-operated driver’s seat, climate control air-conditioning, nine-speaker BOSE premium audio system with 6-CD auto-changer, plus a black leather-wrapped steering wheel, gear knob and hand-brake lever, plus six airbags.
Each Nemesis buyer will also get a free Prodrive experience day "to learn how to get maximum enjoyment from their new car".
New door handles! Lets call it the RX-8 Mega-boobie!!
Truth is, it's the low-power model anyway, which means it's slower than the Evolve limited edition, which in itself was identical in almost every way to the standard high-power model, but with a vomit-inducing interior colour and a couple of the cheaper options pre-ticked in the catalogue.
The PZ is another dodgy excersize. Was able to compare one to my standard 230 at the weekend and to be honest, as there is absolutely ZERO power difference, I will keep my standard 230. I just think the PZ loses some of it's 'split personality' by being more track focused.
Until Mazda offer better fuel consumption (the oil is not an issue - gets better after 5000 miles anyway) and more power, they are not getting another penny from me...my money is going on a used 911.
P~
The grade of plastic they have used in the standard model is not durable and scrapes quite badly and looks bad. hope they are available as extra.
hmmm...but doesnt seem that great difference to me - new colour and trim and a few free accessories.
if they could improve the MPG whilst maintaining the performance that would be much better idea! rotaries seem to love drinking fuel and oil
phantom you got the same idea as me! ...a nice used 911 i think
Would like the PD back box tho....
I am still yet to see an impartial comparison between the PZ and the standard 230. I would like to see a genuine lap done in a PZ and then one in a 230. I bet the difference is not that much. Plus, I imagine that difference to be even less when on the trip to work instead of a track environment.
Mazda need to very seriously address the fuel consumption of the vehicle before any MkII version is launched.
IMHO, cynical marketing exersizes like 'limited editions' simply de-value the thousands of rx-8's already sold. It also smacks of an 'end of life' sales ploy.
P~
Used more oil, too.
If you want to get a few more MPG, keep the revs between 3000 and 5500. Change up at about 5000. Its a complete fricken waste of the car tho, as it will rev to 9500! Why buy it to never do that? Its ever recommended to use the full rev range ('hit the beep') at least once a journey once the car is warm, to burn off any carbon deposits.
Anyway, I have had the car a year and done 5500 miles in this one (1000 miles in the first which expired at 2 months old!) and the oil useage has got better and the MPG has improved.
I have genuinely not worked out my mpg (I dare not!), but I think 19-20mpg would seem a very reasonable guess.
Its a real shame, as it spoils the enjoyment of what is a very, very good car. I am scared to put my foot down as I know its costing me an extra few miles before fillups every time I do it.
I could go to a 911 and actually SAVE money on fuel.
I am not hoping for a flaming from other 8 owners or anything like that - just my experiences of owning the car.
P~
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