Exterior
New and larger front grille and oil cooling openings for a stronger front end design
New designs for headlamps, front fenders, rear LED lamps
New design rear bumper with larger exhaust pipes
New wheel designs with spokes in rotor look
Four new exterior colours
Sport Pack (standard, new to RX-8):
Integrated front spoiler, side spoilers, floating-type rear spoiler for reduced lift
New dark grey, extra lightweight, forged 19-inch alloy wheels
Interior
Improved levels of quality craftsmanship
New centre console design
New variable red-zone tachometer
New instrument cluster colour for minimised eye strain
New steering wheel design
New front passenger seat tip and slide functionality for easier access to rear seats
Sport Pack (standard, new to RX-8):
Recaro branded bucket seats in black half-leather with red stitching
Black leather steering wheel and handbrake lever with red stitching
Powertrain
RENESIS naturally-aspirated dual-rotary High Power engine producing
170 kW / 231 PS at 8,200 rpm and 211 Nm of torque
Drive shaft torsional rigidity increased by approximately 30 percent for improved driving performance and NVH
Differential gear ratio lowered for improved performance feel
Two knock sensor system (a Mazda first) introduced for improved engine knock control
New lubrication system for optimised engine performance
New oil dip-stick location for easier oil level checking
Fuel tank volume increased by 3.6 litres to 65.4 litres
New six-speed manual transmission (based on 3rd-Generation MX-5 unit) with carbon synchronizers (1st to 4th gear) for better shift feel.
Chassis & Safety
Front midship, rear-wheel drive configuration for ideal 50/50 weight distribution and superior handling attributes (carry-over)
Torsional and flexural body shell rigidity increased by 5.4 and 8.7 percent respectively
Revised steering and suspension for even better steering feel and driving stability:
New spring, bush and stabiliser settings for enhanced ride comfort
New front suspension cross member for more linear steering feel
Bilstein® sports dampers and urethane foam filled front suspension cross member for optimal riding comfort
Reconfiguration of rear suspension geometry for increased stability
Body and underbody enhancements for reduced lift and better stability at high speeds
323 mm ventilated front discs and 302 mm ventilated rear disc brakes for a further improvement in stopping distance
ABS, traction control and DSC (disconnectable) as standard
Limited-slip differential that automatically distributes power between rear wheels (carry-over)
Vertical steel pipe reinforcement in rear door that acts as a rigid B-pillar (carry-over)
Six airbags standard (carry-over)
Shock cone aluminium bonnet for pedestrian protection (carry-over)
Equipment
Bluetooth® cell phone functionality (new to RX-8)
Auxiliary jack for connecting MP3 player to car's audio system (new to RX-8)
Auto light and rain sensor system (new to RX-8)
New BOSE® audio system with AudioPilot® noise compensation, Centerpoint® surround sound, five speakers and 4 woofers for a premium sound.
Mazda RX-8 Facelift
Evolved Sports Car Performance and Coupe Appeal
At launch in 2003, the Mazda RX-8 coupe represented an evolution of the rotary?engine sports car from the only company in the world to make them. Its dynamic and sporty design, unique centre-opening doors and room for four - along with a cleaner running, more compact and naturally-aspirated RENESIS rotary engine - made it a big hit with sports car customers around the world.
Since launch, over 170,000 Mazda RX?8 have found owners and it has won 45 global awards. Now Mazda presents a new version of its sports car icon that has a refreshed design, evolved performance and aerodynamics and, for the first time on RX-8, a Sport Pack - as standard!