Mazda RX-8 – a tidy before the Mazda RX-9?

We reported back in May that Mazda were launching a revised Mazda RX-8 in to the Japanese market, and speculated then that it wouldn’t be long before those updates found their way in to the European / UK version of the RX-8. So reports coming out of Germany that the RX-8 will be updated in time to show at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September are hardly a huge surprise.

So what exactly is the new, updated Mazda RX-8 going to get? In all honesty, probably not much beyond a minor tweak or two. It will still use the 228bhp Wankel engine that sets it apart from the crowd, and should still be a bundle of fun to drive. The inside will get a few tweaks, with Bose and Bluetooth added to the standard spec. But, if the Euro updates follow the Japanese ones, there will also be an audio-less version on the cards. The Japanese update also included auto wipers and auto lights, together with keyless entry, push-button start and a couple of new colours – Aluminium Metallic and Metropolitan Grey Mica.

But we don’t think the updates will be too extravagant, as we reckon it won’t be too long before the Mazda RX-9 starts to surface. The RX-9 has been on the cards – and speculated about – for a couple of years. Rumour has it that the RX-9 will turn up as a 2012 model, which means it will probably first show either at Tokyo in 2010 or Geneva in 2011. Expected to have its Wankel engine enlarged to 1.8 litres and have a much more rounded look. The RX-9 will be the first proper revision of the RX-8 since it appeared in 2001.

Although not a huge seller the Mazda RX-8 is a fine car, and Mazda are doing some great work with the Hydrogen powered Mazda RX-8. But we think this update will be the swansong for the RX-8. Bring on the RX-9.