Refreshed Mazda RX-8 on Sale in Japan
03-10-2008 | 02:21 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Mars
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 49
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From: CA
Refreshed Mazda RX-8 on Sale in Japan
This is the latest news from media.mazda.com
very exciting
http://www.media.mazda.com/CGI/Acces...seq=20080310ea
pic are not showing if you are not loggin to media.mazda.com
you guys have to go to media.mazda.com to see pictures ( we saw most of the pics there )
News Release
2008.03.10
Refreshed Mazda RX-8 on Sale in Japan
- New Mazda RX-8 Type RS offers enhanced driving performance and bolder styling -
HIROSHIMA, Japan—Mazda Motor Corporation has announced the launch of the freshened Mazda RX-8. The updated four-door, four-seat rotary-powered sports car is available from today at all Mazda and Mazda Anfini dealerships throughout Japan.*1
Mazda RX-8 Type RS (with six-speed manual transmission)
The four-seat RX-8 sports car debuted in Japan in May 2003, powered by Mazda’s lightweight, compact and powerful rotary engine. The freshened version evolves and refines the high performance and sporty styling core elements of the RX-8, and features enhanced quality and packaging. The newly released Type RS grade offers exceptional driving pleasure with better performance and bolder styling.
The exterior design features fresh new styling and improved quality, with larger air intakes in the front bumper, side marker lamps integrated with the headlight units, side air vents integrated with the turn indicators, and rear combination lights that contain LED lamps. Three new designs for the aluminum wheels all reflect rotor-shaped motifs, and the 16-inch wheels (on the Type E and RX-8 base grade) have been upgraded to 17 inches. With the addition of new exterior colors such as the high quality Diamond Grey Metallic, eight colors are now available.
Interior quality has been improved through densely woven black fabric seat covers in the Type S and RX-8 base grade, finely-perforated genuine leather seat covers in the Type E (available in black, red or beige) and a new tachometer with silver markings and white illumination. The packaging has been further refined with the addition of power adjustable seats with a memory function,*2 an electric folding driver’s seat*3 and a GPS navigation system fully integrated into the center panel.*4
The RX-8 now offers even better driving dynamics. New water and oil pumps, among other changes, improve the rotary engine’s performance and provide a better acceleration feel. Revised gear ratios in the six-speed manual transmission provide more responsive acceleration at lower engine speeds. Through a redesign of the body structure, increased local rigidity and improved aerodynamics provide greater sports car performance.
The new Type RS grade comes with exclusive aero parts, 19-inch forged aluminum wheels, RECARO bucket seats, Bilstein dampers and other equipment to emphasize the sporty appeal of the freshened RX-8 model range. To highlight its pedigree as a true driver’s car, the RX-8 Type RS also boasts more aggressive styling.
Manufacturer’s suggested retail prices vary from 2,600,000 to 3,150,000 yen (including consumption tax). The sales target volume for the new RX-8 model range is 270 units a month.
*1: The five-speed manual transmission RX-8 will go on sale in June 2008.
*2: Standard equipment on the Type E (with leather seats).
*3: Standard equipment on the Type E (with leather seats). The Type S and base grade seats are manually adjustable.
*4: Available as a factory-installed option on the Type E, Type S and Type RS grades.
Main features of the freshened RX-8
Exterior
While maintaining the RX-8’s distinctive sports car proportions, the freshened exterior produces better aerodynamics and cooling performance.
- Enlarged central and side air intakes in the front bumper improve engine cooling and emphasize the athletic styling. Side marker lamps integrated with the headlights reflect fine craftsmanship.
- The front fenders feature turn indicators integrated with newly designed air vents.
- The new rear bumper, designed in the same color as the car body, elevates the sense of quality. Enlarged dual exhaust pipes express high power, and LED lamps set in a circle in each rear combination light spotlight the sporty appeal.
- Newly designed aluminum wheels. The Type S has 18-inch wheels with a rotor-shaped motif that symbolizes the rotary engine. The Type E and RX-8 base grade have 17-inch wheels with a five-spoke design.
- New high quality exterior colors, Sparkling Black Mica, Diamond Grey Metallic and the sporty Aurora Blue Mica, bring the total range to eight body colors.
Interior
Based on the RX-8’s iconic sports car design, detailed interior refinements improve the packaging and quality.
- Updated instrument panel center section design. The pop-up type optional GPS navigation system has been replaced by a system fully integrated into the center stack.
- The addition of silver markings on the tachometer enhances the vehicle’s sporty feel. White illumination improves its visibility and the sense of quality.
- Tactile leather is now used to wrap the steering wheel and parking brake lever.*5 The appearance and feel of the door arm rests and rear console lid have also been improved.
- Newly designed seats. The Type S and RX-8 base grade have densely woven black fabric seat covers. The Type E’s seats have a finely perforated leather center section (in black, red or beige). Grades with leather seats also offer improved functionality through an eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat with a three-person memory function, an electric folding driver’s seat for easy access to the rear, and newly added heated front seats for extra comfort in winter.
- The Mazda G-BOOK Alpha-compatible voice controlled HDD navigation system is available at as a factory-installed option.*5 The system offers access to a range of information and services, and also supports Bluetooth® applications.
*5: Available on the Type E, Type S and Type RS grades.
Mazda RX-8 Type E (with six-speed automatic transmission)
Performance
After a review of every aspect of the RX-8’s superb performance, the freshened RX-8 lineup now offers an even more refined sporty ride.
- The RENESIS rotary engine now provides an enhanced acceleration feel at middle to low-engine speeds due to various improvements such as new water and oil pumps. These changes also contribute to improved durability and stability.
- New variable red zone system. The tachometer red zone moves in three stages according to the engine temperature. This prevents over-revving immediately after startup when the engine is cold.
- The gear ratios in the six-speed manual transmission-equipped grades have been lowered to improve off-the-line acceleration. Model grades with the six-speed automatic (Activematic) transmission feature a newly developed Direct mode. When driving with the gear selector in Drive (D), Direct mode allows the driver to temporarily change gears using the paddle shifters on the steering wheel without having to switch to Manual mode. This provides a boost in acceleration or engine braking to aid certain situations such as overtaking other vehicles or descending steep gradients.
- The front and rear suspensions were revamped, and the dampers, coil springs, bushes and stabilizers were optimized to improve stability and ride comfort.
- A trapezoidal strut tower bar (on manual transmission grades) and reinforced suspension towers and wheel aprons increase the torsional rigidity of the front body and improve stability.
- Aerodynamics were improved by adjusting the shape of the front and rear corners, enlarging the front tire deflectors and adding an engine undercover to control air flow. This resulted in an improved drag coefficient (Cd) of 0.30 and enhanced high-speed stability.
Main features of the new RX-8 Type RS
This new grade was designed especially for customers with sporty tastes. Its base model is the six-speed manual transmission version of the RX-8 Type S. With heightened sporty driving performance and strong and athletic styling that sets it apart from the standard model grades, the Type RS offers exceptional driving pleasure.
Enhanced sporty equipment
- Exclusive aeroparts
The large front aero bumper, side under spoilers, and rear spoiler create a more muscular impression and increase stability at highway speeds.
- 19-inch forged aluminum wheels
Gunmetal forged wheels with rotor-shaped motifs help reduce the unsprung weight. Matched with 225/40R19 89W tires, they yield exceptional grip and create a heart thumping impression.
- RECARO bucket seats (front)
The exclusively designed RX-8 seats have fabric center sections (a black and grey combination), black genuine leather side supports and are accentuated with red stitching. They offer first-rate body support.
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel, shift lever and hand brake (with red stitching)
The red stitching on the leather matches the exclusive bucket seats.
- Hard suspension (Bilstein dampers)
The suspension was specially designed for the RX-8 to support its superb driving performance. It enables lithe vehicle movement with stable damping force for various driving situations.
- Front suspension crossmembers filled with urethane foam
Filling the crossmembers makes for excellent driving stability, linear steering and improved ride feel.
Manufacturer’s suggested retail prices for the Mazda RX-8
*Prices of the models in the above photos
Grade Drive Engine Transmission Price (yen)
With tax Without tax
RX-8 RWD Water-cooled
two-rotor
(654cc x 2) 5-speed MT 2,600,000 2,476,191
6-speed AT
(Activematic) 2,600,000 2,476,191
Type E 6-speed AT
(Activematic) 3,000,000* 2,857,143
Type S 6-speed MT 2,940,000 2,800,000
Type RS 6-speed MT 3,150,000* 3,000,000
- A separate recycling fee of 12,330 yen is necessary in addition to the manufacturer’s suggested retail prices listed above (if the curtain and front side SRS airbag system is selected as a factory-installed option, the fee is 12,900 yen).
- If the special body color Crystal White Pearl Mica is selected, the price increases by 31,500 yen (including tax).
- A five-speed manual transmission version of the RX-8 is due to go on sale in June 2008.
very exciting
http://www.media.mazda.com/CGI/Acces...seq=20080310ea
pic are not showing if you are not loggin to media.mazda.com
you guys have to go to media.mazda.com to see pictures ( we saw most of the pics there )
News Release
2008.03.10
Refreshed Mazda RX-8 on Sale in Japan
- New Mazda RX-8 Type RS offers enhanced driving performance and bolder styling -
HIROSHIMA, Japan—Mazda Motor Corporation has announced the launch of the freshened Mazda RX-8. The updated four-door, four-seat rotary-powered sports car is available from today at all Mazda and Mazda Anfini dealerships throughout Japan.*1
Mazda RX-8 Type RS (with six-speed manual transmission)
The four-seat RX-8 sports car debuted in Japan in May 2003, powered by Mazda’s lightweight, compact and powerful rotary engine. The freshened version evolves and refines the high performance and sporty styling core elements of the RX-8, and features enhanced quality and packaging. The newly released Type RS grade offers exceptional driving pleasure with better performance and bolder styling.
The exterior design features fresh new styling and improved quality, with larger air intakes in the front bumper, side marker lamps integrated with the headlight units, side air vents integrated with the turn indicators, and rear combination lights that contain LED lamps. Three new designs for the aluminum wheels all reflect rotor-shaped motifs, and the 16-inch wheels (on the Type E and RX-8 base grade) have been upgraded to 17 inches. With the addition of new exterior colors such as the high quality Diamond Grey Metallic, eight colors are now available.
Interior quality has been improved through densely woven black fabric seat covers in the Type S and RX-8 base grade, finely-perforated genuine leather seat covers in the Type E (available in black, red or beige) and a new tachometer with silver markings and white illumination. The packaging has been further refined with the addition of power adjustable seats with a memory function,*2 an electric folding driver’s seat*3 and a GPS navigation system fully integrated into the center panel.*4
The RX-8 now offers even better driving dynamics. New water and oil pumps, among other changes, improve the rotary engine’s performance and provide a better acceleration feel. Revised gear ratios in the six-speed manual transmission provide more responsive acceleration at lower engine speeds. Through a redesign of the body structure, increased local rigidity and improved aerodynamics provide greater sports car performance.
The new Type RS grade comes with exclusive aero parts, 19-inch forged aluminum wheels, RECARO bucket seats, Bilstein dampers and other equipment to emphasize the sporty appeal of the freshened RX-8 model range. To highlight its pedigree as a true driver’s car, the RX-8 Type RS also boasts more aggressive styling.
Manufacturer’s suggested retail prices vary from 2,600,000 to 3,150,000 yen (including consumption tax). The sales target volume for the new RX-8 model range is 270 units a month.
*1: The five-speed manual transmission RX-8 will go on sale in June 2008.
*2: Standard equipment on the Type E (with leather seats).
*3: Standard equipment on the Type E (with leather seats). The Type S and base grade seats are manually adjustable.
*4: Available as a factory-installed option on the Type E, Type S and Type RS grades.
Main features of the freshened RX-8
Exterior
While maintaining the RX-8’s distinctive sports car proportions, the freshened exterior produces better aerodynamics and cooling performance.
- Enlarged central and side air intakes in the front bumper improve engine cooling and emphasize the athletic styling. Side marker lamps integrated with the headlights reflect fine craftsmanship.
- The front fenders feature turn indicators integrated with newly designed air vents.
- The new rear bumper, designed in the same color as the car body, elevates the sense of quality. Enlarged dual exhaust pipes express high power, and LED lamps set in a circle in each rear combination light spotlight the sporty appeal.
- Newly designed aluminum wheels. The Type S has 18-inch wheels with a rotor-shaped motif that symbolizes the rotary engine. The Type E and RX-8 base grade have 17-inch wheels with a five-spoke design.
- New high quality exterior colors, Sparkling Black Mica, Diamond Grey Metallic and the sporty Aurora Blue Mica, bring the total range to eight body colors.
Interior
Based on the RX-8’s iconic sports car design, detailed interior refinements improve the packaging and quality.
- Updated instrument panel center section design. The pop-up type optional GPS navigation system has been replaced by a system fully integrated into the center stack.
- The addition of silver markings on the tachometer enhances the vehicle’s sporty feel. White illumination improves its visibility and the sense of quality.
- Tactile leather is now used to wrap the steering wheel and parking brake lever.*5 The appearance and feel of the door arm rests and rear console lid have also been improved.
- Newly designed seats. The Type S and RX-8 base grade have densely woven black fabric seat covers. The Type E’s seats have a finely perforated leather center section (in black, red or beige). Grades with leather seats also offer improved functionality through an eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat with a three-person memory function, an electric folding driver’s seat for easy access to the rear, and newly added heated front seats for extra comfort in winter.
- The Mazda G-BOOK Alpha-compatible voice controlled HDD navigation system is available at as a factory-installed option.*5 The system offers access to a range of information and services, and also supports Bluetooth® applications.
*5: Available on the Type E, Type S and Type RS grades.
Mazda RX-8 Type E (with six-speed automatic transmission)
Performance
After a review of every aspect of the RX-8’s superb performance, the freshened RX-8 lineup now offers an even more refined sporty ride.
- The RENESIS rotary engine now provides an enhanced acceleration feel at middle to low-engine speeds due to various improvements such as new water and oil pumps. These changes also contribute to improved durability and stability.
- New variable red zone system. The tachometer red zone moves in three stages according to the engine temperature. This prevents over-revving immediately after startup when the engine is cold.
- The gear ratios in the six-speed manual transmission-equipped grades have been lowered to improve off-the-line acceleration. Model grades with the six-speed automatic (Activematic) transmission feature a newly developed Direct mode. When driving with the gear selector in Drive (D), Direct mode allows the driver to temporarily change gears using the paddle shifters on the steering wheel without having to switch to Manual mode. This provides a boost in acceleration or engine braking to aid certain situations such as overtaking other vehicles or descending steep gradients.
- The front and rear suspensions were revamped, and the dampers, coil springs, bushes and stabilizers were optimized to improve stability and ride comfort.
- A trapezoidal strut tower bar (on manual transmission grades) and reinforced suspension towers and wheel aprons increase the torsional rigidity of the front body and improve stability.
- Aerodynamics were improved by adjusting the shape of the front and rear corners, enlarging the front tire deflectors and adding an engine undercover to control air flow. This resulted in an improved drag coefficient (Cd) of 0.30 and enhanced high-speed stability.
Main features of the new RX-8 Type RS
This new grade was designed especially for customers with sporty tastes. Its base model is the six-speed manual transmission version of the RX-8 Type S. With heightened sporty driving performance and strong and athletic styling that sets it apart from the standard model grades, the Type RS offers exceptional driving pleasure.
Enhanced sporty equipment
- Exclusive aeroparts
The large front aero bumper, side under spoilers, and rear spoiler create a more muscular impression and increase stability at highway speeds.
- 19-inch forged aluminum wheels
Gunmetal forged wheels with rotor-shaped motifs help reduce the unsprung weight. Matched with 225/40R19 89W tires, they yield exceptional grip and create a heart thumping impression.
- RECARO bucket seats (front)
The exclusively designed RX-8 seats have fabric center sections (a black and grey combination), black genuine leather side supports and are accentuated with red stitching. They offer first-rate body support.
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel, shift lever and hand brake (with red stitching)
The red stitching on the leather matches the exclusive bucket seats.
- Hard suspension (Bilstein dampers)
The suspension was specially designed for the RX-8 to support its superb driving performance. It enables lithe vehicle movement with stable damping force for various driving situations.
- Front suspension crossmembers filled with urethane foam
Filling the crossmembers makes for excellent driving stability, linear steering and improved ride feel.
Manufacturer’s suggested retail prices for the Mazda RX-8
*Prices of the models in the above photos
Grade Drive Engine Transmission Price (yen)
With tax Without tax
RX-8 RWD Water-cooled
two-rotor
(654cc x 2) 5-speed MT 2,600,000 2,476,191
6-speed AT
(Activematic) 2,600,000 2,476,191
Type E 6-speed AT
(Activematic) 3,000,000* 2,857,143
Type S 6-speed MT 2,940,000 2,800,000
Type RS 6-speed MT 3,150,000* 3,000,000
- A separate recycling fee of 12,330 yen is necessary in addition to the manufacturer’s suggested retail prices listed above (if the curtain and front side SRS airbag system is selected as a factory-installed option, the fee is 12,900 yen).
- If the special body color Crystal White Pearl Mica is selected, the price increases by 31,500 yen (including tax).
- A five-speed manual transmission version of the RX-8 is due to go on sale in June 2008.
Last edited by families81; 03-10-2008 at 03:19 AM.
03-10-2008 | 02:37 AM
#2
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 575
Likes: 0
"The RENESIS rotary engine now provides an enhanced acceleration feel at middle to low-engine speeds due to various improvements such as new water and oil pumps. among other changes (Wonder what these are )These changes also contribute to improved durability and stability."
Sounds like they have overhauled the entire Engine , wonder if they revised the ignition coils ? etc etc
Cheers
Michael
Sounds like they have overhauled the entire Engine , wonder if they revised the ignition coils ? etc etc
Cheers
Michael
03-10-2008 | 05:49 PM
#9
2005 Black RX-8 GT 6M
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,350
Likes: 0
From: San Jose Area
I love the new Recaros with the contrast stitching. Sign me up for some replacement leather ones for my 05 GT seats. The all red seats are too much red--they make my eyes hurt. Maybe a deeper red would have been better.
The base RX-8 gets much more attractive rims. The ones on the base AT now are fugly. I like the side turn indicators, but don't like the new shape of the vents. The worst part is the fussy front-end now. I like most of the rear, but will have to wait till I see it in person.
I want more HP. Will be interesting to see if new ratios improve 0-60.
The base RX-8 gets much more attractive rims. The ones on the base AT now are fugly. I like the side turn indicators, but don't like the new shape of the vents. The worst part is the fussy front-end now. I like most of the rear, but will have to wait till I see it in person.
I want more HP. Will be interesting to see if new ratios improve 0-60.
03-10-2008 | 07:05 PM
#10
Grand Chancellor
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,730
Likes: 58
From: Home of the NIMBYs
"The RENESIS rotary engine now provides an enhanced acceleration feel at middle to low-engine speeds due to various improvements such as new water and oil pumps. among other changes (Wonder what these are )These changes also contribute to improved durability and stability."
Sounds like they have overhauled the entire Engine , wonder if they revised the ignition coils ? etc etc
Cheers
Michael
Sounds like they have overhauled the entire Engine , wonder if they revised the ignition coils ? etc etc
Cheers
Michael
If the recaros are identical to the EVO X which they seem to visually, then it might suffer wear issues as per noted by some EVO X owners. Love the rims. Hate the Miata/CX-7 steering wheel. Not sure about the front bumpers.
03-11-2008 | 06:15 AM
#15
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10,869
Likes: 327
From: Australia
I really like the side pic of the Type S in Sparkling Black, love the rims and the front is really growing on me a lot!...always liked the new rear lights and painted bumper without all that lower black plastic.
I think if Australia gets the equivalent of the Type S here..It will finally be the one for me..knowing Mazda for decades this car will be well sorted with ALL the latest mods and engine improvements, which I know Mazda have done over the years, the last of any of their models are the best to buy.
Its obvious that they have improved the internals with a new oil metering system which appears to be electric (ECU) controlled rather than the traditional mechanical MOP which generally only works effectively when owners give the car some stick (Up and Down high revs), reasons why many owners use little engine oil because they are RPM conservative and drive for fuel economy.
Good to see a new water pump, obviously there were some capacity and reliability issues with the old type and design, personally I think they were a little frugal with its size and construction/reliability.
The increase sized front vents for vastly improved air flow through oil coolers is also a huge befit.
This is the 8 model to buy.
I think if Australia gets the equivalent of the Type S here..It will finally be the one for me..knowing Mazda for decades this car will be well sorted with ALL the latest mods and engine improvements, which I know Mazda have done over the years, the last of any of their models are the best to buy.
Its obvious that they have improved the internals with a new oil metering system which appears to be electric (ECU) controlled rather than the traditional mechanical MOP which generally only works effectively when owners give the car some stick (Up and Down high revs), reasons why many owners use little engine oil because they are RPM conservative and drive for fuel economy.
Good to see a new water pump, obviously there were some capacity and reliability issues with the old type and design, personally I think they were a little frugal with its size and construction/reliability.
The increase sized front vents for vastly improved air flow through oil coolers is also a huge befit.
This is the 8 model to buy.
03-11-2008 | 07:29 AM
#17
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 782
Likes: 0
From: Sydney, Australia
I notice the Japanese must have altered emission standards. The series-II is now rated at 173KW, down from 184KW.
Hope that revised gearing gives back what the little 13B-MSP has just lost.
A definate improvement of the breed. Although its priced at around AU$32k, its such a shame the **** retards at Mazda Australia will put near 90% on top before allowing Aussie consumption.
REgards
Hope that revised gearing gives back what the little 13B-MSP has just lost.
A definate improvement of the breed. Although its priced at around AU$32k, its such a shame the **** retards at Mazda Australia will put near 90% on top before allowing Aussie consumption.
REgards
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