A sports car like no other.
The Mazda RX-8 was created through the pursuit of a genuine sports car with a totally new four-door, four-seat configuration that delivers sports car values, passenger comfort and driving pleasure. Offering unique and unmistakable styling; sharp and responsive performance and everyday practicality that greatly exceeds other sports cars.
Powered by a compact, lightweight and free-revving RENESIS rotary engine, the naturally aspirated power-plant features side-intake and side-exhaust ports for improved power output and fuel economy and combines with a sequential dynamic air induction system and electronic throttle for superb responsiveness and smooth turbine-like performance.
Perfect 50:50 weight distribution and a highly sophisticated front double wishbone and rear multi-link suspension setup combine for excellent handling and road holding ability. The highly tractable power-train and superb chassis dynamics provide for neutral cornering and high levels of on-the-limit balance which are essential attributes of a high-performance sports coupe.
The Mazda RX-8 answers the demands of sports car enthusiasts who pursue performance driving but are not willing to forego comfort, convenience and practicality. Mazda RX-8 delivers pure exhilaration behind the wheel, but unlike conventional sports cars, it does it without cramping anyone’s style.
While Mazda RX-8 treats the driver to an exhilarating experience, it’s a sports car that actually welcomes passengers along too. Its unique Freestyle Door System removes the need for centre pillars. This enables RX-8’s sporty coupe shape to provide four doors along with ample space for four adults.
The amazing compactness of the RENESIS rotary engine also helps, by freeing up extra space in the cabin. To ensure maximum passenger enjoyment, special attention has been paid to the seat design.
Front seats have been shaped to hold occupants securely during spirited driving, while also providing exceptional comfort. In the Luxury model, seats are trimmed in premium grade leather,* the driver’s seat having eight-way power adjustment. It also remembers the favourite seating positions of up to three drivers, applying them at the push of a button.
A switch at the back of the driver’s seat also makes rear access easy, initiating a powered folding operation. The passenger seat folds forward at the simple pull of a lever. Rear passengers will also appreciate the slim design of the front head restraints, which allows an excellent view out and creates a greater sense of space.
The overriding exterior design theme of the Mazda RX-8 is ‘Athletic Tension’. This approach was used to convey a feeling of expectation or pent-up energy ready to be released, like an athlete waiting for the starter’s gun. The design team focused on weight reduction, aerodynamics and modern proportioning, while shaping the car to evoke three main attributes; dynamic form, tension and stability. The most distinctive feature of the RX-8’s design is its dynamic body. The dynamic form is evident in the powerful continuity of surfaces and is expressed in 3-dimensional relief, starting at the front air intake and running aft, along the body sides to the boot lid. The effect of vitality and motion is achieved through the sculpted surfaces of the body rather than 2-dimensional character lines. From every angle, the RX-8 gives the impression of a high-performance car – aggressive, yet stylish and original.
Tension is expressed by trimming body mass to produce an extremely taut form. With the elegance of an athlete, RX-8 also features mechanical overtones in the headlamp and rear combination lamp design. The rotor-shaped power bulge in the hood and subtle shaping in the roof work in contrast to convey an overall feeling of tension on the body surface.
The entire body is sleek and trim, with smooth, taut lines that suggest the alert readiness of an athlete in peak condition. In particular, the front fenders and door panels have a pronounced 3-dimensional form unseen in other cars, giving a lean and powerfully muscular impression.
Stability is the basis of good sports car design. The compact-looking cabin comes together with the pronounced, aggressive front fenders to shift visual mass downwards, creating low-slung proportions that communicate a feeling of great stability.
The feeling of stability is determined by the balance between the body and cabin, and the position of the wheels. To determine the optimal cabin size for the RX-8, designers went through a repeated trial-and-error process as they sought to strike the ideal balance between cabin volume and field-of-view. Then, while assuring the right amount of space for four adults, they worked to achieve an extremely compact look for the cabin. The combination of compact cabin and powerful body created the low-slung proportions that translate into a look of stability that is essential in a sports car.
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The naturally aspirated, twin rotor engine employs side intake and exhaust ports and delivers power output unparalleled in a naturally aspirated unit. The RENESIS engine is a 654cc x two rotor unit that generates 170 kW maximum power at 8,200 rpm and 211 Nm maximum torque at 5500 rpm in manual transmission guise.
The Mazda RX-8 employs all-new double wishbone front suspension and a multi-link rear suspension. The suspension delivers exceptional tracking accuracy, controllability and reassuring stability on a variety of road surfaces. In addition, RX-8 employs electric-motor assist for the rack-and-pinion power steering. The system delivers optimal feedback of road information to the driver. Braking is handled by four ventilated disc brakes.
The RX-8’s exceptional cornering and stability deliver a class of handling that keeps the car perfectly attuned to the driver’s intentions. And the advanced front midship powertrain layout, low center of gravity and 2700 mm wheelbase also bolster the RX-8’s straight-line stability.
A Super LSD assures predictably smooth vehicle behaviour during fast cornering and on low friction road surfaces, and improves stability during off-the line acceleration and straight running.
The Sports Suspension specification with 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels is equipped with race proven 323mm diameter ventilated front discs, assuring plenty of active disc diameter.
The RX-8 powertrain comes with two transmission options, a six speed manual or a four speed automatic.
The 170kW specification RX-8 is equipped with a close-ratio six speed manual transmission. The total gear ratio assures that the engine’s power output potential is fully realised for driving enjoyment.
The 141kW specification RX-8 employs a 4-speed automatic with paddle shift levers mounted on the steering wheel. Paddle shifters deliver a shift response similar to that of a stick-shift, befitting a sports car of this caliber.
