It was in 2001 when Mazda Motor Corporation first introduced one of the best sports cars to date, the Mazda RX-8. It has a very powerful rotary engine designed to perform up to a maximum speed of 9000 rpm for Manual Transmission cars and 7500 rpm for Automatic Transmission cars. The exquisite car design was made by using aluminum materials on the hood and rear doors, and carbon fiber fused driveshaft, thus equalizing the ratio of weight distribution and reducing rotational mass. Another attractive feature of the Mazda RX-8 is its pair of unique ‘freestyle’ doors that provide easy entrance to the backseats. The design was made to guarantee comfortable and safe riding experience, thus making Mazda RX-8 a well-loved sports car by many.
Despite all the awards, the Mazda Motor Corporation still aims to bring remarkable innovations to the RX-8 model. The upcoming 2009 Mazda RX-8, introduced in the Detroit Auto Show last January, boasts of a four-seater coupe and freestyle doors that come in two pairs. The change in the design, both exterior and interior, guarantees improved performance and an overall refreshing interface for the pleasure of all driving enthusiasts. The redesigned Mazda RX-8 keeps its world-renowned, highly-powered, and outstanding rotary engine, which is the car’s most astonishing feature.
The Mazda RX-8 model did not come out in the global market until 2003, but when it did become available, the company was able to sell almost 167,000 RX-8s. It has also become a favorite awardee of many car magazines and different car competitions. Mazda RX-8 has received worldwide recognition and more than fifty awards from various parts of the globe. In 2003, RX-8 was named the International Engine of the Year, RJC Car of the Year (Japan), and Wheels Car of the Year (Australia). 2004 was also a great year for the RX-8, as it was hailed the best sports car in U.K, Singapore, and United States.
There are three factors that the engineers of Mazda considered when they made key innovations to the RX-8. These are performance, packaging, and styling. According to Tetsu Nakawaza, Mazda operations’ manager of the RX-8 vehicle line, the enhancements made to the car live up to the company’s mission to provide car enthusiasts with a dynamic, fun, and exciting driving experience.
The RX-8 has always been a sports car that provides the driver with a fun-driving experience. For the redesigned RX-8, engineers made the overall body more rigid by adding various structural supports such as the trapezoid tower bar. Car performance is also heightened by making new configurations to the rear suspension and also improving the rigidity of the driveshaft. As for the specifics, RX8 MT-equipped cars guarantee increased acceleration because it now has a lowered gear ratio of 4.777, instead of the initial ratio of 4.444. The change might be minimal, but goes a long way especially with the hallmarks of RX8 rotary engine—speed and great accelerator pedal responsiveness.
In addition, Mazda made use of the advanced Rotary Engine Genesis/Rebirth or RENESIS engine. To date, Mazda RX-8 is considered to be the only widely-produced car with rotary engine. There are two available models of the enhanced Mazda RX-8: a 232-hp model for a 6-speed MT and a 212-hp model for a 6-speed Sport AT that comes with paddle shifters (mounted on steering-wheels). In addition, the RENESIS engine is 60% lighter and smaller compared to conventional V-6 combustion engines and 40% lighter and smaller than a 4-cylinder. The engineers chose to use the RENESIS engine instead of the traditional piston engine, and through this, the key styling and packaging innovations of the brand new RX-8 were made possible.
For forty years since the first design of rotary engine came out, RX-8 remained on top of the line. Now, the advanced features of RENESIS engine boasts of highly improved intake/exhaust ports. This configuration delivers efficiency in car performance by reducing the overlapping period between intake and exhaust.
Additionally, the RX-8 makes use of aluminum front suspension (double-wishbone), which aims to reduce weight from the typical utilization of steel materials. The corners are also fitted with shock absorbers (single tube, gas-filled) designed with huge internal pistons and valves, for a smooth and delightful riding experience. The power steering system is a lighter and more efficient electric motor rack rather than the traditional power-steering pump.
Also, the latest offers related to Mazda motability make this car such a great one.
Another key innovation that makes the redesigned RX-8 truly remarkable is the R3 sports package, which provides only the best motor performance of the RENESIS engine. R3 comes with new urethane foam-filled crossmembers for the front suspension, and new shock absorbers (Bilstein)—all of which results to superior suspension control and smoother ride. Rear spoilers, fog lights, side sills, and a sporty-looking front bumper are also added, enhancing the overall appearance of the R3 sports package. Moreover, the R3 incorporates technology for noise compensation (AudioPilot) and surround sound system (Centerpoint) into the audio system (300-watt Bose).
The main purpose of redesigning the RX-8 is to provide driving enthusiasts with a whole new sense of uniqueness when it comes to cars. The idea is to keep to the basic theme of the car’s design, but at the same time add refinements. The changes include a new style for the front fascia and bumpers (front and rear), headlamps, and exhaust pipes. The new RX-8 also comes with a new wheel design (5-spoke), which makes it look sporty. Various arrangements can also be made for each size of the wheel.
Moreover, new Mazda tweaks the RX-8’s edges through muscular styling, while still maintaining the right proportions for every classic sports car. The ‘freestyle’ doors are also configured in order to provide larger space for easier door opening and convenient access to the vehicle. This advanced design becomes even more advantageous, most especially if there are small kids that need to be secured in the rear seats.
Indeed, the redesigned Mazda RX-8 is one sports car that many driving enthusiasts will surely find irresistible. The key innovations that involve high-quality styling, performance, and overall packaging truly justify the RX-8 rebirth.
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