More Speed: Mazda's upcoming MazdaSpeed6 to boost automaker's performance lineup

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Rent

Diamond Member
Aug 8, 2000
7,127
1
81
I just want to see someone jack the motor out of one and stick it in a Mazda3 or Focus. That would be fun. :D

I could care less about the 6, I've been very underwhelmed by the car everytime I've driven/ridden in one.
 

SuperTool

Lifer
Jan 25, 2000
14,000
2
0
Originally posted by: ElFenix
Originally posted by: SuperTool
The rotary engine is the weakest link in the RX-8, objectively speaking. Subjectively, the purists think it's the strongest link.

and what do the internet forums racers think?

I don't race, but I would buy an RX-8 if it had a normal engine. They should offer it as an option :)
 

Actaeon

Diamond Member
Dec 28, 2000
8,657
20
76
Very very nice car... but I really really don't like the wheels. Mazda is usually very good with the wheels on the Mazdaspeed cars, and unfortunately this isn't one of them.

Fix the wheels!
 

OS

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
15,581
1
76
Originally posted by: toant103
$30k for that?

Serious, I was interested until I saw the price. 300 HP 6MT G35 stickers 30,450.

I actually prefer not having AWD, too much parasitic losses and all that traction isn't really necessary in socal.

 

geno

Lifer
Dec 26, 1999
25,074
4
0
Originally posted by: NFS4
Originally posted by: PricklyPete
I want to see teh 0-60 times on that bad boy.

Funk that, I want to see a MazdaSpeed3 :D

I'll flip my lid if MazdaSpeed doesn't touch the RX-8 next (I know there's a MS version of it, but it's lamo body/wheels/etc) I want to see a turbo RX-8 damnit :|
 

toant103

Lifer
Jul 21, 2001
10,514
1
0
Originally posted by: OS
Originally posted by: toant103
$30k for that?

Serious, I was interested until I saw the price. 300 HP 6MT G35 stickers 30,450.

I actually prefer not having AWD, too much parasitic losses and all that traction isn't really necessary in socal.


300HP? I thought they only make 298 or something like that.
 

eshtog

Diamond Member
Jun 7, 2001
3,449
0
0
its 298 to be exact

and is the price dropping on the new g35 6mt?

I might trade in my wrx for the g35 if it did because the g35 is what I wanted but
didnt have enough $$$$
 

PricklyPete

Lifer
Sep 17, 2002
14,582
162
106
Originally posted by: geno
Originally posted by: NFS4
Originally posted by: PricklyPete
I want to see teh 0-60 times on that bad boy.

Funk that, I want to see a MazdaSpeed3 :D

I'll flip my lid if MazdaSpeed doesn't touch the RX-8 next (I know there's a MS version of it, but it's lamo body/wheels/etc) I want to see a turbo RX-8 damnit :|

I think we'll see several iterations of MazdaSpeed RX-8s. At least that is what one of the Mazda engineers seemed to imply in an article I was reading (wish I could remember where...). Anyway, I would imagine a MazdaSpeed version with a modest speed increase, but tighter suspension, etc. will be first. As the car ages and they want to boost sales, a larger speed increase and some new interior/exterior trim may be in order.
 

NFS4

No Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
72,636
47
91
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 5 -- Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today announced pricing for the company's high-performance MAZDASPEED6 sedan. When the car goes on sale in summer 2005, it will be priced from $27,995 (Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price). Equipped with a 270-horsepower turbocharged direct-injection gasoline engine, MAZDASPEED6 is the most powerful and best-handling sedan ever sold by Mazda.

MAZDASPEED6 demonstrates the trademark balance of all MAZDASPEED vehicles -- the highest performance vehicles to wear the Mazda badge. To accommodate the power of the turbocharged engine, Mazda developed a new Active Torque-Split All-Wheel Drive system. When electronic sensors detect a lack of grip, up to 50 percent of the power can be directed to the rear wheels. In addition, the MAZDASPEED6 comes equipped with a completely new six-speed manual transmission, perfectly fitting the car's character.

Optional on MAZDASPEED6 is a Grand Touring package, priced at $29,925, incorporating leather seating surfaces, eight-way power driver's seat, heated front seats and mirrors, and keyless entry and start. Because of MAZDASPEED6's high level of standard equipment, stand-alone factory options are limited to pearl paint ($200), power tilt-and-slide moonroof ($700) and DVD-based navigation system ($2,000).

In addition to news on MAZDASPEED6 pricing, Mazda also showed for the first time the all-new MAZDA3 SP23 Special Edition and the rotary-powered RX-8 "SHINKA" Special Edition.

The MAZDA3 SP23 Special Edition stands apart from the compact segment with the addition of a leather interior, premium sound system, high-gloss finish 17-inch alloy wheels, rain-sensing front windshield wipers and automatic on/off headlights. Offered only in Carbon Gray Mica and available on both the 4-Door sedan and 5-Door, the MAZDA3 SP23 Special Edition exhibits the perfect balance of performance-oriented luxury.

The RX-8 "SHINKA" Special Edition takes its name from the Japanese word meaning "evolution" or "transformation" and mixes RX-8's sports car flavor with a touch of luxury. Available with either a six-speed manual or four-speed Sport A/T automatic transmission, the RX-8 "SHINKA" Special Edition features an upgraded and uniquely tuned suspension with uprated shock absorbers and urethane-filled cross-member supports, increasing performance and ride comfort. In addition to "SHINKA's" unique Parchment-colored leather interior, Mazda added leather to the handbrake lever, upgraded trim on the doors and center console, and revised the finish on the 18-inch alloy wheels and the head- and tail-light bezels. To ensure "SHINKA" stays special, only 2,150 cars will be produced.

Also on display at the 2005 Greater Los Angeles Auto Show are the finalists in the Mazda "Zoom-Zoom To Win" photography contest. Held in conjunction with Conde Nast magazines, Mazda invited the general public to submit photographs in digital and film format that best describe what Zoom-Zoom means to them. From the more than 3,000 pictures submitted, 50 finalists have been chosen, and the ultimate winner will be announced at the New York International Auto Show in March.

Mazda North American Operations is responsible for the sales and marketing, customer parts and service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States. Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., MNAO has more than 700 dealerships nationwide.
 

TheLonelyPhoenix

Diamond Member
Feb 15, 2004
5,594
1
0
Originally posted by: geno
Originally posted by: NFS4
Originally posted by: PricklyPete
I want to see teh 0-60 times on that bad boy.

Funk that, I want to see a MazdaSpeed3 :D

I'll flip my lid if MazdaSpeed doesn't touch the RX-8 next (I know there's a MS version of it, but it's lamo body/wheels/etc) I want to see a turbo RX-8 damnit :|

I saw an article floating around on it awhile back, they were actually playing around with the rotary engine and experimenting with superchargers. Greatly looking forward to seeing what they do with it.
 

CChaos

Golden Member
Mar 4, 2003
1,586
0
0
The Mazda3 Special Edition doesn't sound all that special. They don't mention any performance upgrades. Shiny wheels and a good stereo?
 

NFS4

No Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
72,636
47
91
Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
Company executives are uncertain about plans for a MazdaSpeed3.

Boo!!!

Turbocharged Mazda 3 on the Way in 2006

Hot on the heels of the Mazda 6 MPS that debuted in September at the Paris Auto Show (and goes on sale in North America next year as the MazdaSpeed 6), an MPS version of the popular Mazda 3 compact sedan and hatchback is expected to go on sale in 2006.

Powered by a detuned version of the turbocharged 2.3 liter direct injection engine found in the 6 MPS, the 3 MPS would go head to head with competitors such as the Subaru WRX and the all-new fifth generation Volkswagen GTI. Expect this hot 3 to have around 220 horsepower powering the front wheels. In what is surely an attempt to distance the 3 MPS from the 6 MPS in both price and performance, all wheel drive will not be available. While this may disappoint some enthusiasts, it does mean less weight and cost ? important considerations in the sport compact arena.

If previous MPS and MazdaSpeed models are any indication, the 3 will offer more than a mere power upgrade. Styling enhancements, better brakes and suspension, and more chassis bracing are all expected to be part of the package. We predict that this model will be available exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission, but it is not known if the MPS version will be available as a sedan, hatchback, or perhaps both.

Like the 6 MPS, this car will come to North America badged as a MazdaSpeed model. While it is too early to make accurate pricing predictions, we would guess that it will have a base price of around $23,000 USD when it comes to North America in 2006.
http://www.triplezoom.com/news...lish/article_276.shtml