Straightline

Shockingly enough, Mazda did not want to spend much time today talking about the 2009 RX-8. Details on its new front fascia were left unsaid, and the new R3 sport package that adds Bilstein shocks, Recaro seats and urethane-filled suspension crossmembers was barely mentioned. So when a Mazda official told us after the press conference that the car was also 45 pounds lighter than before we were skeptical. Turns out the optional 19-inch wheels that come with the R3 package are actually lighter than the stock 18s. And apparently those Recaro seats are much lighter than stock. Combined with the new shorter rear end gear, this RX-8 might actually feel new from behind the wheel. That would have been worth talking about.  -- Ed Hellwig, Lead Senior Editor, Inside Line