Mazda RX-8
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| Mazda RX-8 | |
| Manufacturer: | Mazda<tr><th>Production:<td>2003–present</tr><tr><th>Predecessor:<td>Mazda RX-7 Mazda Cosmo</tr><tr><th>Class:<td>Sports car</tr><tr><th>Body style:<td>2+2 coupé</tr><tr><th>Layout:<td>FMR</tr><tr><th>Engine:<td>Renesis</tr><tr><th>Curb weight:<td>1309-1373 kg (2888-3029 lb) MT 1384 kg (3053 lb) AT</tr> |
|---|---|
The Mazda RX-8 is a sports car manufactured by Mazda Motor Corporation. It first appeared in 2001 at the North American International Auto Show. It is the successor to the RX-7 and like its predecessors in the RX range it is powered by a Wankel rotary engine.
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[edit] Design
The RX-8 was designed as a front mid-mounted, rear-wheel drive 2+2 coupé. The car has a 50/50 weight distribution, achieved by mounting the engine behind the front axle and the gas tank ahead of the rear axle. Weight is trimmed through the use of materials such as aluminium (hood, trunk, roof, and rear doors), fiberglass for the body panels and a carbon fiber composite driveshaft.
The car features a pair of rear-hinged "freestyle" doors (similar to suicide doors) in order to provide easier access to the rear seats. The RX-8 has no B-pillar between the front and rear doors, with the leading edge of the rear door acting as a 'virtual pillar' to maintain structural rigidity. Because of the overlapping design, the rear doors can only be opened when the front doors are open.
[edit] Powertrain
The RX-8 is powered by a 1.3 L (1,308 cc) naturally-aspirated RENESIS 13B Wankel-type rotary engine, which features newly designed side intake and exhaust ports. The engine is smaller and lighter than previous rotaries, primarily due to the lack of a turbocharger and associated parts. Though the engine is only 1.3 L, it is rated to get 18 mpg in the city—comparable to a small-block V8.
The engine is designed in various configurations for different models, but in its most powerful setup develops 250 PS (247 hp, 184 kW) at 8500 rpm with a redline at 9000 rpm and fuel cut-off at 9500 rpm. It won the International Engine of the Year and Best New Engine awards in 2003 and holds the "2.5 to 3 liter" size award for 2003 and 2004.
The power is delivered to the rear wheels via a five- or six-speed manual gearbox or a four-speed automatic through a limited slip differential. With model year 2006, a 6-speed automatic transmission was introduced.
In late 2003 Mazda issued a press release stating that the actual horsepower of the RX-8 could be up to 5% less than previously advertised. Mazda offered to buy back any of the affected vehicles sold in the United States. Those who chose to keep the cars were given other incentives such as free maintenance, parts, and accessories.
In August 2006, Mazda announced that a miscalculation with oil metering had led to the engines in a few RX-8s to experience problems with severe power loss and rough idle. Mazda voluntarily recalled all 2004 and 2005 and some 2006 models to test for this problem, and all engines that failed a vacuum test were replaced at no charge, even if the car was out of warranty. The catalytic converter and leading spark plugs were also checked and replaced as needed. Mazda extended all recalled vehicles' drivetrain warranty to 5 years/60,000 miles. Most affected vehicles were in hotter climates, and were exposed to high traffic, low rpm driving and long idle periods. Mazda estimated that less than 1% of engines needed to be replaced. For vehicles that did not require an engine replacement, Mazda updated the PCM to provide more oil injection at idle and under low rpm driving.
[edit] Models
The RX-8 is available in various models in different markets around the world. Standard models include:
- 6-speed manual "High Power" with an output of between 170 kW (228 hp) and 177 kW (237 hp) and a 9000 rpm redline (Japanese models produce 184 kW (255 hp) due to the availability of higher octane fuel)
- 5-speed manual "Standard Power" tuned to 141 kW (189 hp) with the redline reduced to 7500 rpm
- 4-speed automatic tuned to 141 kW (189 hp) in some markets, while the U.S. automatic is claimed at 197 SAE net hp (158 kW)
- 6-speed automatic (available in the U.S. market as of 2006) developing 212 hp (170 kW) with a redline at 7500 rpm.
[edit] Shinka/Evolve/Sports Prestige Limited
Mazda introduced a special Shinka edition to the U.S. market in 2005, and to the UK market in 2006 where it was branded as the Evolve. New features included Shinka badges on the B-pillar, new paint colours (Black Cherry Mica, Copper Red and Phantom Blue), re-styled mirrors, alcantara-trimmed leather seats, updated component materials, and enhanced chassis and suspension tuning. Power output remained unchanged from the standard models. This model was also offered in Japan as the Sports Prestige Limited RX-8.
[edit] Hydrogen RE
At the 2004 North American International Auto Show, Mazda unveiled the RX-8 Hydrogen RE concept car, designed to run on either hydrogen or gasoline. In February 2006, Mazda revealed that it would start leasing a dual-fuel RX-8 to commercial customers in Japan, and in March 2006 announced its first two customers, claiming the first fleet deliveries of a dual hydrogen/gasoline production car.
[edit] Future revisions
Mazda had initially planned to release a two-seat coupé version of the RX-8, but the development costs were deemed too expensive and the model was cancelled. The standard RX-8 is due for a redesign in 2009, and will be launched as a 2010 model<ref>Future Products - Mazda. AutoWeek. Retrieved on August 16, 2006.</ref>.
[edit] Awards
As of October 2006 the RX-8 has won at least 37 international motoring awards including the 2003 Japanese Car of the Year, Australia's Wheels magazine's Car of the Year for 2003, the 2004 Singapore Car of the Year, the 2004 US Best Sports Car, and several UK Best Car Awards. It was also named on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 2004, 2005, and 2006.
The car is used in the Formula Woman racing series which started in 2004.
[edit] Films and Games
- A slightly modified RX-8 was featured in the 2003 film X2: X-Men United.
- The RX-8 was featured in The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift.
- In the Need For Speed racing game series, the RX-8 has been used extensively as an available and drivable car.
- An RX-8 is available for play in the Initial D Arcade Stage Ver. 3.
- Both standard versions of the RX-8 (and some concept variants) are included in Gran Turismo 4.
- The RX-8 forms the vehicle mode for a number of Transformers figures in the Alternators (US) and Binaltech (Japanese) toy lines. Meister (renamed from "Jazz" due to trademark conflicts) is a standard RX-8 in white, with a red version released exclusively in Japan, and Shockblast (renamed from "Shockwave", again due to trademark conflicts) is a Mazdaspeed II RX-8 in that model's unique Strut Blue Mica paint color. A third version, called Autorooper will be a Japanese police-style repaint of the white RX-8 figure, with a different head.
[edit] References
- 2006 RX-8. Mazda USA. Retrieved on May 23, 2006.
- Mazda RX-8. Mazda UK. Retrieved on May 23, 2006.
- RX-8 Overview. Mazda Australia. Retrieved on May 23, 2006.
- Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen rotary engine. Ford Media. Retrieved on May 23, 2006.
- Mazda Adds 6-Speed Automatic and New Shinka Package for 2006 RX-8. Fast-Autos.net. Retrieved on September 8, 2006.
- Future Products - Mazda. AutoWeek. Retrieved on August 16, 2006.
- Design awards and honours. Mazda Australia. Retrieved on July 31, 2006.
[edit] Sources
<references/>
| Mazda Wankel rotary timeline () | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Type | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | |||
| Compact | Familia/R100 | R100 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Midsize | Capella/RX-2 | RX-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Luce/RX-4 | R130 | RX-4 | Legato | HB | HC | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Large | Roadpacer | RP | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GT | Cosmo/RX-5/RX-8 | L10A | L10B | CD | HB | JC | SE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sports | Savanna/RX-3/RX-7 | RX-3 | SA | FB | FC | FD | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pickup | Proceed/REPU | REPU | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mazda – part owned by the Ford Motor Company, road car timeline, 1990s—present - | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Type | 1990s | 2000s | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | |
| Subcompact | Revue/121 | Demio/121 | Demio/2 | Demio/2 | ||||||||||||||||
| Verisa | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Compact | Familia/323/Protegé | Familia/323/Protegé | Familia/323/Protegé | Axela/3 | ||||||||||||||||
| Mid-size | Capella/626 | Capella | Capella/626 | Atenza/6 | Atenza/6 | |||||||||||||||
| Cronos/626 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| MS-8/Eunos 800/Xedos 9/Millenia | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Full-size | Sentia/929 | Sentia | ||||||||||||||||||
| Sports / coupé | MX-6 | MX-6 | ||||||||||||||||||
| MX-5/Miata | MX-5/Miata | MX-5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| MX-3 | MicroSport | Kabura | ||||||||||||||||||
| RX-7 | RX-7 | RX-8 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Cosmo | ||||||||||||||||||||
| AZ-1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Minivan | Premacy | Premacy/Mazda5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| MPV | MPV | MPV | ||||||||||||||||||
| Crossover | Navajo | Tribute | CX-5 | |||||||||||||||||
| CX-7 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| CX-9 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Trucks: | B-Series/Proceed/Truck (International) (North America) | BT-50 | E-Series/Bongo | T-Series/Titan | |||||||||||||||||||
| Kei cars: | Spiano | AZ-Offroad | Scrum | Laputa | AZ-Wagon | Carol | |||||||||||||||||||
| Historic models: | GLC | Luce | Savanna | Proceed | RX-2 | RX-3 | RX-4 | RX-5 | Roadpacer | REPU | |||||||||||||||||||
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