All I can say is, I've been keeping an eye on the RX-8 since before it came out. I've NEVER seen an actual magazine-measured test weight below 3000 lb.
I'm positive that the 2933 lb. in that January 2003 M/T article linked above wasn't from actual data that they measured, it was tech data from Mazda. They also "estimated" 250hp for the 6-speed in that article! Wrong again...
I've seen rwhp reports for the RX-8 in the 185-190rwhp range. ~220hp at the flywheel.
Quick search on "RX-8 road test"
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...ormance-page-2
Quote:
Averaging just 19 mpg while moving a relatively light 3067-pound curb weight, our RX-8 expelled more gasoline as waste heat than other cars its size. Of course, some of the fuel's energy went to motion, and the RX-8's 238 horsepower and 159 pound-feet of torque gave it initial acceleration times of 6.6 seconds to 60 mph and 15.1 seconds at 93 mph for the quarter.
Racers say rotary engines get faster as they age, the engine's best lap always being the last one. The RX-8 didn't disprove the theory after 40,000 miles, cutting its drag sprints down to 5.9 seconds for 60 mph and 14.6 seconds at 96 mph through the quarter
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Well-proven hp for 1/4-mile speed equation:
(96mph/234)^3 * (3060 lb. + 200 lb.) => 225hp.
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...take-road-test
http://www.roadandtrack.com/tests/ca...da_rx-8_page_2
http://www.familycar.com/RoadTests/MazdaRX8/
Curb Weight Automatic - 3,053 lbs. Manual -
3,029 lbs