January 14^th,  2003

RX-8 to pack a performance and value punch

WHEN Mazda’s all-new RX-8 reaches the Australian market in July, it will offer an impressive list of standard features.

That list will include 18-inch alloy wheels and tyres, traction control, DSC dynamic stability control, six-airbags, cruise control, power windows and mirrors, a limited slip differential, six-disc in-dash CD player and air conditioning with automatic temperature control.

Taking a punt on exchange rates and the global economy in five months time, Mazda has already indicated pricing for the car it is describing as its “new flagship.

It will start below the luxury car tax threshold at $56,170 for the six-speed manual and $57,000 for the automatic.

On the options list will be a Leather Pack that includes leather seat trim, High Intensity Discharge (Xenon) headlamps, a Bose sound system, power-operated driver’s seat, front fog lamps and on manual models, drilled aluminium pedals.

Leather Pack models will be $62,610 for the manual and $63,280 for the automatic.

Managing director of Mazda Australia, Malcolm Gough, said the return of a rotary sports car to the Mazda lineup has been long overdue, but he believes the RX-8 has been well worth the wait.

“No other sports car in the world can match its combination of performance, dynamics, good looks, value and four-seater practicality,” said Mr Gough.

“We already have 100 firm orders and more than 1500 potential customers on our VIP contact list for the RX-8. With confirmation of its great pricing and generous equipment we expect to have a waiting list for our new flagship when it goes on sale."

A sports car like no other, the four-seat RX-8 is powered by an all-new, compact RENESIS rotary engine that ensures great performance, improved fuel economy and low emissions.

Redlined at 9000rpm, the 654cc x 2, fuel injected rotary engine produces a remarkable 184 kilowatts of power and 216Nm of torque at 5500rpm when mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. The engine passes Euro Stage III emissions standards.

The automatic model, which features wheel-mounted gearshift paddles, develops 154kW at 7200rpm and 222Nm at 5000rpm.

Manual models accelerate from 0-100kmh in about six seconds.

The ultra-compact rotary engine allows a front mid ship engine layout, enabling the RX-8 to be the only sports car in the world to offer genuine accommodation for four adults.

Unrestricted rear seat access is provided by a Freestyle door system, with the front and rear doors opening from the centre of the car.

The front doors are fully opened at a hinge angle of about 70 degrees and  rear doors at about 85 degrees. The absence of centre pillars allows a surprisingly large door opening, making entry and exit easy.

For a sports car, the boot also boasts ample space, swallowing as much as 300 litres of cargo.

To realise the RX-8’s exceptional sports car driving performance, engineers employed all-new body architecture incorporating a very rigid underbody frame and cabin reinforcements to give the RX-8 a body that, in terms of rigidity and low weight, surpasses those of sport sedans of the same wheelbase.

The upper part of the transmission tunnel is a rigid closed section high-mount backbone frame running horizontally from the front of the vehicle to the rear, and joined to the main frame front and back.

Use of the advanced front midship layout, location of the plastic fuel tank between the rear wheels and other measures assure an ideal 50/50 fore-aft weight split.

Mazda designed the RX-8’s chassis to deliver unprecedented sports car driving pleasure through exceptional handling and control, while thoroughly suppressing road noise and vibration for a comfortable ride.

At the front the car uses an in-wheel type double wishbone set up, while at the back the RX-8 employs a new multi-link (five links per side) system.

The rear suspension’s extended length links are optimally arranged to maintain correct geometry and compliance to keep the rear 18-inch tyres in contact with the road at all times. The result is superior handling stability, ride comfort and low road noise.

Additionally, the RX-8 is equipped with a newly developed rack-drive electric power steering that transmits just the right amount of road information back to the driver.

Stopping power is provided by large-diameter ventilated disc brakes controlled by ABS with EBD.

Mazda designers have used the latest computer techniques along with crash test data to assure world-class safety levels for both frontal and offset collisions. The RX-8 comes standard with dual front, front side and curtain air airbags.

The RX-8 makes its Australian debut at the Melbourne motor show late next month (February).

Mazda RX-8 specifications