Mazda RX-8

Overview

Experience the Mazda RX-8 and you experience something to tally unique: the marriage of sports-driving excitement with comfort and quality. It's the perfect example of Mazda's long heritage of bringing sheer delight to drivers around the world, and the full realization of the Zoom-Zoom spirit.

Exterior

Mazda RX-8's taut exterior gives perfect expression to the three major design objectives of dynamism, stability and tension, to create a form that gives a sense of motion even when stationary. Dramatic lines extend in three-dimensional relief from the aggressive front air intake through the body sides to the boot lid, clearly stating Mazda RX-8's dynamic performance potential from any angle. The balance of visual mass between the compact-looking cabin and relatively substantial form below the glass areas produces a low visual centre of gravity that conveys a reassuring impression of stability —an impression reinforced by pronounced overfenders and location of the wheels at the extreme corners of the body. In addition, the boldly contoured overfenders and pared-down overall body styling combine to give an instant impression of tension.

Interior

The comfortably snug interior is remade with more dynamic forms and an enhanced feel of quality. The centre stack broadens towards the top to give a thrusting sense of movement. The sporty blackout-type 3-meter cluster features a unique variable red zone in the tachometer that moves according to engine conditions, helping to prevent over-revving when engine temperature is low. The leather material used for the steering wheel cover is selected to give a higher tactile quality with an optimized, reassuring feeling of grip. The seats are monotone leather for a more mature cabin ambience, and the audio system receives Action Illumination to offer both visual confirmation of operation and a greater sense of delight.

Under the hood

By moving the intake and exhaust ports to the engine's side housing, Mazda engineers were able to achieve significant improvements in power output, fuel efficiency and exhaust emissions. First, overlap in intake/exhaust port timing is eliminated, allowing a leaner air-fuel mixture for better fuel economy. Second, adoption of a dual exhaust port system not only optimizes exhaust gas flow, it also allows later opening of the exhaust ports giving an increased expansion stroke for improved fuel efficiency and higher output. Third, intake port area is increased by 30% to achieve a larger intake volume and higher output. Finally, unburned fuel is carried over to the next combustion cycle to lower emissions.

Safety

In spite of the centre-pillarless design—a layout that maximizes the door opening area —Mazda RX-8 offers both the rigidity essential to sports car handling and crash-safety performance comparable with a conventional sedan. The secret is a virtual centre pillar built into the rear doors. This pillar, made of high-tensile steel and a thick aluminum plate, is joined to the body by heavy-duty door latches at the top and bottom to realize a design that is actually stronger than a conventional centre pillar. In addition front and rear doors also incorporate side impact bars optimally positioned to channel impact energy into the body.