Automobiles Review

Tag: Mazda RX8

  • Mazda RX-8 SPIRIT R

    Mazda will hit the Japanese market with a new RX-8 Spirit R special edition. The vehicle will be limited in series of just 1000 units as production ends in June 2012.

    The RX-8 SPIRIT R is based on the RX-8 Type RS with 6-speed manual transmission and Type E with 6-speed electronically-controlled automatic transmission. The special edition model will come with new seats and nice alloy wheels.

    It also includes specially tuned sport suspension and larger brakes with red calipers. The headlights are also new as well as the fog lights with black bezel rear combination lights. The limited RX-8 has SPIRIT R badge, a piano-black transmission tunnel trim, and leather Recaro sports seats with red stitching.

    Mazda RX-8 SPIRIT R
    Mazda RX-8 SPIRIT R

    2012 Mazda RX-8 SPIRIT R:

    Base models
    RX-8 Type RS (with six-speed manual transmission) and RX-8 Type E (with six-speed electronically-controlled automatic transmission)
    Special equipment
    For both manual and automatic transmission models
    Exclusive SPIRIT R badge
    Front headlights, front fog lights and rear combination lights (with black bezels)
    Front and rear brake calipers (red)
    Transmission tunnel trim (piano-black)
    Curtain and front side SRS airbag system
    Exclusive to the manual transmission model
    Specially-made SPIRIT R bucket seats from RECARO
    225/40R19 89W tires and 19-inch alloy wheels (bronze)
    Exclusive to the automatic transmission model
    Leather seats (black with red stitching)
    Leather-wrapped steering wheel (black with red stitching)
    Parking brake lever (with red stitching)
    Center console box front seat armrest and rear console box lid covered with synthetic leather (with red stitching)
    Sports suspension, larger brakes
    225/45R18 91W tires and 18-inch alloy wheels (gun metallic)
    Exterior body colors
    Aluminum Metallic
    Sparkling Black Mica
    Crystal White Pearl Mica

    Mazda RX-8 SPIRIT R
    Mazda RX-8 SPIRIT R
    Mazda RX-8 SPIRIT R

    Source: Mazda

  • Mazda rotary engine – before and after

    A sports car is a low car with a huge engine, true or false? Mazda says false.  1,3 naturally aspirated and stunning 250HP in the latest RX8. The RX7 even features a sequential twin turbocharged 1,3 with 280HP.

    Especially for the newer generations, the Wankel engine is considered a Mazda engine only.  A thorough look at the years after 1950s proves otherwise. The first Wankel engine was started in 1957 and produced 21 hp. It has many design differences compared to what we can see nowadays. Alfa, Ford, Nissan, Porsche and Suzuki are just some examples of companies that tried to take advantage of the new technology. So, the Wankel engine is lighter, simpler, has less moving parts and has twice the power coming from the same displacement.  So there must be something wrong, look around, 4 pistons, 4 strokes, all around us. The seal system of the Wankel engines has improved significantly through the years, but it still remains the main drawback of this engine. It turns out that MPG wise it is comparable to a V8 with the same performance.

    1999 Mazda RX7

    After all, who is using these engines nowadays? The answer is Mazda. The sporty coupe with RX badge is powered by this technology. And it turns to be a successful one through the years. The RX7 has sold more than 800 000 units till it was replaced by the RX8 in 2003. Through its 24 years of manufacturing the RX7 always somehow managed to find its niche on the market. In the late 1970s and early 1980 it used to be a participant in some of the greatest motorsport events. The world rally championship, the Australian Touring Car Championship, 24 hours of Le Mans and so on.

    What is the future? The RX9 it seems. According to some press releases it will more resemble the RX7 rather than the RX8. Mazda seem to be sticking to modern technologies and is going turbo again. Unlike the RX8 the new RX is expected to have plenty of torque not being naturally aspirated. Combined with a LSD transmission it will definitely be a great fun to drive. Less than 1250 kg, expected 290 hp and the REVs of the Wankel engine promise to make 2014 a good year. Yet another reason to hope 2012 is not fatal.

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