Mazda RX-8 SP for Targa Tasmania
March 9, 2009 by Alborz Fallah
If you’re like us, you’ve probably wondered at one point or another, why doesn’t Mazda turbocharge the RX-8 and the MX-5 as regular production models?
The answer is long and complicated, we’ve been told by inside sources that even though Mazda Australia has always been keen (and has made special edition turbo models with the MX-5), one of the reasons is that Mazda Japan is hard to convince.
Nonetheless, this doesn’t stop Mazda Australia from proving to its parent company that it’s worth doing. Out of a desire to show the RX-8’s capabilities (and to enter a rally), a standard Mazda RX-8 GT has been turbocharged and race prepared to enter one of the toughest endurance races in Australia.
Manned by the 2008 Targa champion Steve Glenney, the 205kW RX-8 is sure to impress at this year’s Targa Tasmania.
It’s worth noting that Mazda Motorsport Australia has put together its biggest Targa team in 10 years, in times when most manufacturers would consider motor sports a luxury. Such is the importance of competitive motor sports to Mazda.
The RX-8 will compete in the modern competition while its small brother, the Mazda3 MPS, will fight it out for honours in the showroom two-wheel-drive category.
The near 2000km five day rally will no doubt test every aspect of all cars and a positive result for the turbocharged RX-8 could be a huge push in the right direction for Mazda Motorsport Australia.
Mazda is not new to turbocharged rear-wheel-drive rotary powered rally cars, having last entered Targa Tasmania in an RX-7 SP in 2002 ( piloted by Rick Bates).
For those of you interested, Targa Tasmania runs from April 28 to May 3 and includes approximately 1890km of racing.
Mazda RX-8 SP
Engine: Rotary Turbo
Transmission: six-speed manual, RWD
Power: 205kW
Torque: 300Nm
Fuel tank: 65 litres
Kerb weight: 1280kg
Wheels: 18-inch MAZDASPEED alloys
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i wonder what the fuel consumption would be like with the new turbocharger. i owned the new rx8-gt since 07/08 and i average about 14L/100km with normal driving condition, an exceptional car though. hopefully this will put some faces back in the rx8 as they’re supposed to be the top of the range sports car from mazda yet they’re being slaughtered by the 3mps performance wise :p
Good work Mazda. It’s good to see a manufacturer supporting motorsport in Australia.
The MX-5 Sp was a ripper (albeit a bit expensive). Would have thought the power output would be higher but suspect they are going for moderate increase in power with only a minor decrease in reliability
Those RX7 SP’s had the same amount of power as this RX8 and they were giant killers. Watch out for this it will be up the top.
It should be relatively fast as it has a relatively low weight. Mazda should have put a turbo on this car from the beginning.
205kw? Would have thought a race tuned engine would have a fair bit more than that.
Still, nice. About time…
It’s not a race tuned engine, it’s a low boost turbo streetable engine. It’s possible to get over 900hp from a full race turbo 13B rotary (see http://www.pacperformance.com.au). I’ts basically just a stock Renesis engine with a small turbo, so 205kw is actually pretty good.
But instead of the small turbo upgrade, they should’ve gone for a 3 rotor Renesis engine with beefed up seals and enlarged polished ports for lots of revs, torque and power!! It has all been done before…
The 3MPS finished in the top 10 overall last year so hopefully this RX8 can finish in the top 5 and give the GTRs and 911s a run for their money.
Have always liked the RX8 and continue to do so, but disappointed by fuel consumption and standard power/torque – despite a sweet high revving motor. Almost bought one this year! A mate had an RX3 in the early to mid 70’s. It was fantastic! He would borrow my Ford to take his girlfriend to the ‘drive-in’ (as it had bench seats and was err… roomy) and leave me with the rotary to battle the hills in Adelaide. Have never driven anything as smooth and willing in my life – loved it! Unfortunately, he killed himself in it – doing what he enjoyed most – driving flat out near Murray Bridge. I’ll be looking with interest for this lovely car in the Tassie Targa.
Well done Mazda and lets hope that it doesn’t stop with the Targa. The thought of a limited run RX8 SP would be nice….lets go Mazda and have a look at the Manufactures Championship as well….Jake Camileri in the Grand Prix Mazda MPS3 is doing well but some factory $$$$ would help him…this will be an interesting Targa this year…zoom zoom
Fantastic news. If Mazda Australia start producing these, I will buy one. Simple as that. I missed out with the RX-7 SP, not this time.
Mazda rotary power!
great to see a turboed RX8 in this. I’ll defiantely go check it out this year!
Will it be available to the public? If not, it has no place in Targa Tas. Targa is not a place for one offs. If i tried to enter a turbo RX8 in previous years there is no way my entry would have been accepted. Why is Mazda allowed but anyone else not? Good to see Mazda Aus supporting events but if this is a one off car it shouldn’t be allowed in.