Those of you that answered "Mazda RX-8" in our mystery car quiz are indeed correct and you may pat yourselves on the back. This uniquely modified Mazda RX-8 is owned by a Carscoop reader from Singapore who goes by the nickname "Shawnz".
His goal is to create a one-of-a-kind Mazda RX-8 Coupe (yes, the stock model's rear-hinged suicide doors are gone) with inspiration coming predominantly from two Lamborghini models, the limited production Reventon and the conceptual Estoque sports saloon.
Shawnz will send more photos and details over our way as the development progresses, but for now, you can follow the jump to read his story and check out the full gallery.
PS: Our friend from Singapore is working his way through school, so as you can imagine, it's not easy to keep up with the expenses involved in such a project.
That said, Shawnz would appreciate any kind of support or sponsoring from companies engaged in the tuning industry. If you're willing to help out, send us an email and we'll bring you in direct contact with Shawnz.
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The Story as told to us by 'Shawnz':
My goal is to create a completely unique RX-8 Coupe with a sleek design that will stand out from the crowd.
The company associated with the project is called J's Artworks. They initially turned me down when I could not settle with their asking price but the company's boss liked my idea and so we finally agreed on a fair amount.
Starting with the side skirts, I did not like the usual aftermarkets parts that were readily available. In most cases, side skirts simply make the car look lower without adding to the design of the car.
I really liked the Lamborghini Reventon's side skirts so I decided that was the way to go.
Next up the front bumpers that were a real challenge. For the RX-8, I found the Nakamura Racing Factory front bumpers truly eye-catching. So from there on, took some styling cues from other Lamborghini models and voila!!!
The rear-end of the car was a big question mark. There was no design to my liking. However, after going through all sorts of supercar exotics and hot rods for ideas, I came up with something I liked. The back won't be finished until September 2010. It is to surprise the public at the upcoming Super Import Nights here in Singapore.
So with the Lamborghini Reventon-style skirts, J's Artworks suggested that I widen the body. That did not sit very well with me because I still wanted the use the car on the race track.
I wanted the car not only to look good, but also to be reliable. Lots of planning, trials and errors, and setbacks were encountered along the way. First of all, I wanted to make sure that the FRP, putty, etc used was the right amount so that no unnecessary weight would be added.
Second, I didn't want to make the body too wide so I could still be able to use my own 245/35 R19 tires. However, we did have to use spacers at the back. And that took quite a bit of time to find a suitable pcm so that I could use the thinnest spacer required. We ended up using a pcm from a BMW.
Due to the known heat issues with the RX-8, we had to be careful with the bonnet. I really wanted to go with a vented hood, but having the sleek design in mind, I decided to create an inverted vented bonnet. The heat will escape through an opening we created at the back of the hood.
The large vents on the front bumper also help by directing plenty of air to the oil coolers and engine bay.
Color wise, the obvious choice was to go black. But the boss at J's Artwork told me that with this finish, the sharp lines and contours of the car would not stand out therefore defeating the purpose.
Going glossy was a no no. Matte was the answer. Since I could not get glossy black, and yet wanted it to look cool and stealthy, I chose the F-22 color.
Something grayish and dark but not too much. The Reventon looked similar and I found out that it had a pinch of special green in it. So we ended up using this combo.
I think that's about it. Interior wise, I have no plans yet except to have lightweight materials installed.
45 Comments:
totally lame.....
Awful. As a fellow Singaporean I am embarrassed that this abomination roams our streets.
I like it a lot. If you could do something with the rear window, I think it would look pretty awesome
Surely accord this young man the credit deserved for his undertaking. And his work looks good, but the styling approaches the lines of factory camouflage more than it does an improvement to the RX-8. He might find lucrative employment doing just that for the various car manufacturers. I write this with sincerity.
As a fellow Singaporean, I say that this guy has guts to "reventonalize" his rotary-powered sports sedan... Anyway, we shall see in-person how his creation fare at super import nights...
Nice !
Ummmm......What can I say? Well for one it is very unique peace of work, and of course yes, it is eye catching. I really do like the overall design, but there are some things that I feel need a little more attention to them, such as the front fender, or wheel weld. I love the ideal that he went wide-body with it, but I would like to see a little more cohesiveness dealing with the front front fender/quarter panel. It just looks like he just put it on and said thats it. I wont judge the design now until I see the final result.
Carguy123
As a foreigner living in Singapore, I would have to say that it is cars like these ones that make the whole car culture in Singapore really tasteless and awful.
HIDEOUS
Big PHAIL!
Well, it's not great, but it's also not horrible. The craftsmanship seems well enough. At least, and at best, it was a nice try.
It does look very clean, but reminds me of AE86 circuit drift cars.
I'll give it a one off ok. Nice attempt, and wrong car for any Lambo wanna be, but the plus side is the work is good for what it is.
IMO, the RX8 is a turd that can't be polished, in any country, and this concept will remain as a one off, forever.
A lot of heart, but zero soul. I can see there is some talent, but a very poor judgment call.
Next!?
bad! no way around it. only a look a mother would love.
To the guy that said "Big Phail"
The only "FAIL" here is your grammar. The project looks much better than the donor car IMO. Can't wait to see it finished.
on the headline pic it looks decent but then shown different angles i said "is this really RX-8? it looked like its the concept for the CTS-V or something" for me its fail
Great Work Mate.
I can't believe people are putting him down. This car will look great when finished.
Good Luck....
10 pts for effort...
0 for the results.
I will not even go near that car.
im going nowhere near the car.
Yeah applause for all the hard work hes put in... It looks ALOT better than most custom jobs that have been on here... I hope he gets rid of the rear door shut lines as that looks 'odd'.. Apart from that, WELL DONE! - Look forward to seeing it finished and driving.. Certainly will be an original car!
many ppl will pointed you are "wannabe" why not try to create something different/unique from others since involve such big sum of $ & oh btw matte color are illegal, check w LTA if its true or not.
Very nice material used I would say. I wished the lines can flow smoother as a whole design though. Good effort in putting one's thought into action.
y does no1 like it......i thinks it great
LOL... it's just..... WRONG !
"Shawnz":
you wasted a perfectly good and possibly collectible RX-8. If you want a Lambo Reventon,you should buy one,not change your car into one.LOL.
Make it stop.
this is a great example of a ricer car.
Anyone know what rims those are on the car?
Well it seems I was right my comment from the guess post on the 18th stated that basically these cars always end up looking like the kid from the mask movie................................................and oh my god was I right. Lots of lumps and bumps but none of them coming together to make a beautiful car. I have to give him credit for all his hard work, but i think he should leave the designs up to the car designers.
u ppl are damm lame.... talk until so big... if u r so good, y not show off ur car?? u think any magazines/website would like to show off an AWFUL car?
yes 10 for effort... and pretty much about it.
A sight for sore eyes is all i can say! hahaha!
So today, I saw this RX-8 that is Lamborghini themed speeding away. The sound from the car is incredible.
typical wannabe singaporean.....
type r wannabes, wrx wannabes, evo wannabes
now lambo wannabes....
wad's new in singapore
macam berok kampung datang bandar!..if you dont have enough money ..stick in what you have la!..similar to those Satria/Waja/Satria Evo wannabe..wanna puke seeing those cars on the road!!..losers!
should pick something nicer looking to begin with but for what car it is...... you did good.
Seriously, everyone with negative comments should be shot...lol. The whole idea behind his design is...his OWN design. How many of you have done something like this or even know someone of whom has done something of this magnitude?!? I give this guy mad props on his results and inspires myself to become a little more creative with my own automobile designs...Congrats dude, keep up the good work
the only thing I don't like on that car is the BACK .. too rice
I saw this car parked near the bus stop close to my school just when I was about to go home yesterday... and boy was I...astonished! It somehow reminded me of transformers. I spent 10 mins going around and around the car like I was some freak. And I'm not saying this to neutralize the putting-down of this car by some numbskulls who can't even post any link to their OWN car when it sounds about a million times better than this RX-8.
And that's not all there is to the car. After the admiring by some others and I, some guy stepped into the car, turned to the road and...omgbbqlol the sound was incredible. One funny thing was only that if I wasn't mistaken, the twin exhaust pipes were of different colours.
Most reading this can already probably tell I'm a teen car enthusiast, but as one I would just like to commend Shawnz on the effort he put into the car and I look forward to the completion of his project. However, those who were criticizing his work and THAT'S IT, without any basis or comparison whatsoever, please don't make it look like you're just jealous of this guy and his car. Seems like it to me from the way you state views w/o evidence.
The passion of one does not require recognition by others. Good work. Hope to see the finished pdt at Import Nights
shawnz ;
u choose the wrong car to do it
gto is a better example
she has a wide body.
watch out for a gto F430.........coming soon
This are the usual comments of someone who cant afford to style their cars....
What this ride done is what a pure autostyler will do. Thumbs up for the effort dude.....
As for those say wanna be this wanna be that what about you yourself. Dun you see shoe movie and like what they wearing b4 u buy come on, you are just a wanna be too. so face it he got the balls he got the bucks let him be. Move on.... Shoo
for a college student, i really admire your effort. and btw, it's a great looking car. i loved the design. you really went with the reventon theme, and for that, i'd give 10/10 overall.
ignore the haters; this is the world you live in. there will be always people who will be jealous of what you have done.
keep it up, good sir, and good luck on your future decisons to make.
You all like to say " oh its awful, oh it's lame, oh you wasted your time" But him which is still a student, had enough imagination and creativity to create something. What about you? have you tuned a car before? probably yes, with after market parts, but to make the whole body from scratch.
You should appreciate what he is trying to do.
Therefore stop bit**ing around and leave only comments and suggestions, but then again, if you are so stupid don't even bother to post .
I respect how he managed to bring ugly to a new level which is not easy. I also respect the fact he is able to drive that thing around without being ashamed.
My god that is ugly.
To Shawnz,
Art has taught me so many things in life. When i was in college, my teacher told me that, to be more creative in art, I should learn to have passion for whatever I wanted to draw, carve, mould or paint. More so in AutoStyling. I have learnt that friendly or good comment is not always there.
I believe you are a hard-working, courageous, smart and intelligent man. Currently, my RX8 is under major modification for Super Import Night 2011. I can’t wait to finish the work and so eager to meet you in person. It should be around May.
From Lon
Champion of Super Import Night 2008
1st Runner Up of Super Import Night 2009
This is seriously the sickest car i've ever seen in my life! It looks like a stealth bomber lol. I'm currently trying to find a body kit for my Rx8 and this would be perfect for my car! Could you please let me know how much you payed for this and where I may be able to get it done because I live in the USA. PLEASE get back to me!-udoug4man@yahoo.com
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