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Mazda Announces Price of New Mazda RX-8,
Dealers Begin Taking Orders


Today Mazda Motor Corporation will begin taking orders for its all-new Mazda RX-8 sports car coinciding with its unveiling at the 2003 North American International Auto Show. Mazda and Mazda Anfini dealers throughout Japan will accept orders for the vehicle due to be launched this April.

The Mazda RX-8, powered by the all-new rotary engine, features sports car styling and excellent performance, while providing ample interior space for four adults. The vehicle delivers incomparable driving excitement.


Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices without Tax (tentative) (Unit: 1,000 yen)
Grade Engine Transmission Retail price(tentative)
RX-8 type S High power 6MT 2,750
RX-8 type E Standard pow 4EC-AT(Activematic) 2,750
RX-8 Standard pow 2,400
RX-8 Standard pow 5MT 2,400


The latest information on the RX-8 is available on the car's official website. In addition, those who subscribe to the mail magazine (free of charge) can receive the following information services:
- 1. The mail magazine including the latest RX-8 information is directly delivered every other week.
- 2. Customers who have tentatively ordered* a vehicle via the official website are notified of the month in which the vehicle will roll off the production line.

Mazda RX-8 official website

Product Outline of 'Mazda RX-8'
1. Unprecedented sports car driving pleasure
- Through sharp response, excellent controllability and extended performance limits, the Mazda RX-8 delivers the kind of unique, dynamic performance that directly communicates the feel of a genuine sports car.
- The new generation rotary RENESIS employs side intake and side exhaust ports, and has more intake area, realizing greatly reduced intake flow resistance. The engine's sequential dynamic intake system and drive-by-wire system deliver 247hp with a high power version model. Fuel efficiency and emissions also substantially improved over the previous rotary engine.
- The advanced front midship layout in which the RX-8's engine is mounted 60mm further aft with the dashboard being located 80mm forward than the RX-7, and all-new front/rear suspensions achieved exceptional cornering and stability.
- Engineers devised a suitably rigid underbody frame and cabin reinforcements to give the RX-8 a body that, in terms of rigidity and low weight, surpasses those of comparable sport sedans of the same wheelbase.

2. Innovative sports car styling: The product of Mazda DNA
The RX-8, with its next-generation sports car dynamism as its basic design concept takes Mazda DNA to a new stage in its evolution from the 'sporty DNA.' The overriding design theme for the exterior was "Athletic Tension," meaning a look that conveys a feeling of expectation or pent-up energy ready to be released. The basic design theme for the interior was "Comfortably Snug" that expresses the very latest in refined sports car taste.

3. Unique sports car package with space for four adults
The innovative packaging allows the RX-8 to offer values unprecedented in a sports car: The excitement of spirited driving on the one hand, and the pleasure of taking trips with family or friends on the other.
- By optimally locating the exhaust manifold, catalytic converter and related components, it achieved a lower seating position for cabin occupants. Designers concentrated on the front seat backs, achieving a spacious interior space.
- The center-opening freestyle door system allows effortless vehicle entry and exit.
- The deep trunk gives plenty of trunk space for everyday needs, as well as for a trip with a family of four on board.

4. Mazda's unique craftsmanship evolves to a new level
In addition to achieving precision fit, functional elegance and other attributes of quality finish, Mazda has put particular focus into the area of "Customer Delight." Innovative Mazda ideas have been incorporated into the RX-8: Activematic AT models are equipped with paddle-type shift levers on the steering wheel for easy finger and thumb operation, and the meter cluster features indirect blue illumination.

5. High-level safety and consideration for the environment
With its specially designed, high rigidity, crashworthy Mazda Advanced Impact Distribution and Absorption System body, RX-8 achieves world-leading safety. This is particularly true of the vehicle's sides, which, in spite of the absence of center pillars, exhibit safety on a par with a regular four-door sedan. The RENESIS engine achieves a vast improvement over previous Mazda rotary engines in terms of fuel economy and exhaust gas emissions.

Dimensions
Overall length 4,425mm
Overall width 1,770mm
Overall height 1,340mm
Wheelbase 2,700mm
Track (front/rear) 1,500mm/1,505mm
Seating capacity 4 persons

Engine
Type Rotary engine, two-rotor, water-cooled
Max. Horsepower 247HP/8,500rpm 207HP/7,200rpm
Max. Torque 159lb-ft/5,500rpm 164lb-ft/5,000rpm

Tires 225/45R18 91W 225/55R16 94V
Wheels 18x8JJ 16x7.5JJ