Posts Tagged ‘RX-8’
Friday, April 22nd, 2011
Review and photos by
Chris Chase, Autos.ca
The Mazda RX-8 is a cool-looking car, no doubt about it. But what sets it apart has nothing to do with aesthetics, but rather with the unique engine under its hood: the RX-8 is the only mass-produced vehicle of its time to use a Wankel rotary engine.
2009 Mazda RX-8
The Wankel dates back to 1951, when a German named Felix Wankel began developing it while working for automaker NSU. I’ll save you the history lesson and skip to 1967, when Mazda sold its first rotary-powered car, the Cosmo 110S. The RX-7, arguably the best-known rotary-engined car, period, debuted in 1979, lived through three generations, until 2002, when it went away and was replaced in 2004 with the RX-8.
For those who want a more detailed history of the technology, go here; and click here for an animation that shows a Wankel rotary in action. (more…)
Tags: 2004-2011, Mazda, RX-8
Posted in Gallery, Used Cars | No Comments »
Tuesday, August 25th, 2009
Celebrating Automotive Passion
Michael Schlee
Over 120 Mazda’s showed up. Race cars, custom cars, show cars and 40+ years of rotary powered vehicles were on hand. The event was Mazdaspeed North and it took place this past Sunday at Scarboro Mazda. The event was a huge success and rose over $2000 for The Hospital for Sick Children.
Mazda Cosmo 110S
Those who made it out got a glimpse of some very rare and special vehicles from Mazda’s past including a 1967 Mazda Cosmo 110S.
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Tags: cosmo, Mazda, Mazdaspeed, Mazdaspeed 3, Miata, Michael Schlee, rotary, RX-7, RX-8
Posted in Gallery, News | No Comments »
Thursday, July 16th, 2009
The Great North American Road Trip
Michael Schlee
The long distance road trip seems to be a lost art these days. With airports appearing in even the smallest of towns, air travel has become the preferred method of travel. It is just so easy, quick and cheap to fly these days.
The Autotrader/Bullrun RX-8
Does that mean the road is officially dead? Well no, there are still some of us brave (crazy?) souls out there who like all that a road trip has to offer. The open road, the freedom, the lure of spontaneous adventures and fresh air will always be persuasive factors in embarking on a road trip.
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Tags: Bullrun, Michael Schlee, New York City, Ocean City, Rally, Road trip, RX-8
Posted in Gallery, News | No Comments »
Thursday, July 9th, 2009
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Rally Begins July 11, 2009 in New York City
Michael Schlee
Sometimes things do not go according to plans. It is 3 days before I need to be in New York City for the start of Bullrun and my official Bullrun vinyl kit is M.I.A. I need it to be able to partake in the official start of the Bullrun rally. Now normally this would onset panic and dismay. I mean, I am an amateur when it comes to applying vinyl at the best of times and this is a substantial kit. Working fulltime would only leave me 3 evenings at best to get the 10 hour job done. Not to worry though, I have an ace up my sleeve; more on that later.
Bullrun RX-8 Lacking Decals
The event I am preparing for is the 2009 Bullrun Rally. For those not familiar with Bullrun, think of it as a mix between a road rally, a race and a week long non-stop party. With nothing more then a destination and road map, teams of two travel from checkpoint to checkpoint all over the USA during the course of one week. First one there (as determined by their starting and ending time) wins. Of course at the end of each day the teams enjoy some of the wildest and most exclusive night life each host city has to offer.
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Tags: BMW, Bullrun, Michael Schlee, Mustang, New York, Panoz, race, Rally, Road trip, RX-8, SLR, Superduty, Trans Am
Posted in Gallery, News | No Comments »
Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009
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Models That Have Stood The Test of Time
Michael Schlee
This is a continuation of the previous post ICONS – Part 1. To summarize, car Icons represent a manufacturer’s ideals, technology, passion and purpose. Okay, that may be overstating things a bit, but for the most part it is true.
Porsche 911
So what qualifies as car as an Icon? Many great cars have come and gone in North America over the years, such as the Countach, Viper, Supra, Chevelle, Cobra, etc. But the question is, where they truly icons? Great cars, yes; amazing cars even, but true long lasting icons? They were all important during their time in history, but for one reason or another, they were all discontinued. Also, being that we live in North America, we are only dealing with icons that made it to our shores.
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Tags: 240Z, 260Z, 300SL, 300ZX, 350Z, 370Z, GTI, Icon, Mazda, Mercedes, Michael Schlee, Nissan, porsche, RX-3, RX-4, RX-7, RX-8, SL-series, SL500, SL65, Volkswagen
Posted in Gallery, News | 1 Comment »
Thursday, May 21st, 2009
What is Your Favourite Sub-$51,000 Sports Car
Michael Schlee
So here it is, one of those impossible to agree on classifications. What is the best sports car under $51,000? Everyone has their idea, and usually, they do not match. With the wide assortment of choices out there, it really all comes down to personal preference.
Dodge Challenger
But I thought hey, why not stir the pot a bit and make a poll on the subject? Let’s see what you, the Autotrader reader, would consider the best sports car under $51,000.
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Tags: 135i, 370Z, Camaro, Challenger, EVO, G37, Genesis, John Cooper Works, Michael Schlee, Muscle Car, Mustang, RX-8, S2000, Solstice, Sports Car, STi, WRX
Posted in Gallery, News | 4 Comments »
