US Perfromance Rumors

[conehead]

Anyone been following the US rumors (on the rx8forum) that the quoted RX8 performance figures may have been over inflated.

According to...well everyone...who's had a chance to dyno their machine, the max hp anyone has been able to record is about 184hp at the wheels. From (allegedly) a 247hp power plant, that's a massive 25.6% transmission loss!

This is quite hard to believe given that two of the 'features' of the RX8 were its lightweight gear box (it could have one cos of the low torque) and a carbon fibre drive shaft. One might have expected these to reduce drive train loss.

Given that a mordern RWD with manual gearbox should have a transmission loss of around 15%, one would expect the hi power RX8 to be around 210hp at the wheels.

The mystery deepens when mazda release statements such as...

"Mazda is aware of the reports showing that the 2004 RX-8 has lower horsepower than advertised. Currently Mazda is looking into these reports. Until further research is done on this matter, Mazda is not able to comment on these reports."

...and...

"Those HP numbers are not coming from Mazda. They are based on a US government-mandated test, and not the manufacturer".

...and when I check the Association of british insurers, they appear to rate the hi power RX8 at 230hp. Even if that were true, 184hp at the wheels is still a 20% transmission loss.

I've already contacted my dealer about this though there's been no reply yet. I also contacted Mazda UK who "...have never heard of this issue..."

Worrying...

Ciaran

[MikeLMR]

I will believe it when someone puts a car on the dyno thats done more than a few thousand miles.

Its does sound odd though, especially when they reprogrammed the ECU's at the port.

Like I said though its early days and many cars have a few teething problems in the 1st year or so of production (look at the Audi TT or the Merc A class for example !!)

At the end of the day Mazda isn't a miracle company and everyone makes mistakes. I just hope they resolve whatever problems (if any) they have and the US owners premature beefs don't hurt the rep of Mazda or the RX8 or the rotary engine. As they say mud sticks ! (unfortunately praise does not)

Mike

P.S the euro RX8's have a different emmissions package to the US cars anyway + I think we have a lower power output already so I guess it won't be an issue)

[Fish]

The new BMW M3 does have a little setting in the ECU that limits the power before a certain milage.

When one was put on a set of rollers last year it was something like 40 BHP less than quoted. When the owner asked the dealer he was told of this limiting setting.

I wonder if Mazda has done the same?

Dan

[conehead]

I'm even more worried now after having found this on the official Mazda Rx-8 website...

"The RENESIS power-train will be available in two variations: the High Power specification (177kW (231PS) @8200rpm with a 9000 rpm limit) and the Standard Power unit (141kW(192PS)@7000rpm with a 7500 rpm limit) for regular driving but with superb drivability. Click here to see the Mazda RX-8 Technical Specifications."

However, ALL my OFFICIAL Mazda documents (i.e. brochures, order confirmation etc...) quote higher figures. Looking at those documents the quoted power figures read (from highest to lowest...

250hp
250ps
240hp
240ps

Something really stinks here....

Ciaran.

[conehead]

Just spoke to mazda UK and am now fuming with anger, here's the highlights of the conversation...

Me: Hello, I've just read on Mazda's website that the high power RX8 produces 231ps or just under 230hp.
Them: That's right.
Me: But my original OFFICIAL mazda documents say 250hp.
Them: Yes, Mazda have revised the power downwards from 240ps to 231ps.

[...partial rant at this point...back on track now...]

Me: But my original documents say 250hp not 240ps or 231ps.
Them: I don't know about that, but ALL PEOPLE WHO PRE-ORDERED were sent a letter saying the power had been revised downwards.
Me: I wasn't and I haven't heard of anyone else who has.
Them: Everyone was sent a letter.
Me: Except me?
Them: Would you like me to send you one now?

[...another rant...]

Me: Can I speak to someone in technical.
Them: No, they don't speak to customers.
Me: So why have the figures been revised downwards?
Them: Mazda decided the insurance group for would be too high and decided to bring the power down so it could make group 16.
Me: What!!!!!!

[...final rant...slams receiver down...storms off...]

Ciaran.

[g11ary]

Sorry, my brother did get a letter.
When talking to a guy at the dealership he said dont worry, the 20 bhp can be rechipped back in them. (how true?)
Said it was for emmissions not insurance, which makes more sense coz they engine just won awards for low emmissions.
He was not that bothered as he wants to bolt the turbo or supercharger they are going to market a little later.