RX-8
Mazda unveiled the RX-8 at the 2001 Tokyo Motor
Show.
Mazda exhibited the RX-EVOLV at 1999 Tokyo Motor Show, as a proposal for a new
sports car with an innovative packaging concept based on the next-generation
rotary engine. Mazda received a favorable response for the concept car from
customers all over the world. At the 2001 North American International Auto
Show, Mazda also exhibited a design and engineering model of the RX-8, which was
a result of our corporate desire to realize the potential that the RX-EVOLV
showed.
In developing the RX-8, Mazda strove to realize conflicting goals: delivering a
vehicle with striking, sporty styling with a superior blend of handling and
performance, while providing ride comfort and the functionality for four adults.
A key factor in achieving these goals is the RENESIS engine, the next-generation
rotary powerplant, which is more compact and higher-powered than previous rotary
engines, featuring a water cooled, two-rotor configuration. This delivers a
maximum output of 184kW/8500rpm and 216Nm of torque at 7500rpm, while achieving
improved fuel efficiency and cleaner emissions. The RX-8 incorporates both
genuine sports car styling and an interior package spacious enough for four
adults. It also includes a further refined front-midship layout as well as a
freestyle, four-door configuration without a center pillar. Exceptional driving
performance comes through 50:50 front/rear weight distribution and small
yaw-inertia moment. With superior practicality, the RX-8 will meet the
expectations of a wider range of customers, not only sports car fans.
The RX-8 is an entirely new sports car embodying Mazda's "Zoom-Zoom" brand
message to the maximum, by pursuing "Distinctive design," "Exceptional
functionality," and "Responsive handling and performance."
DISTINCTIVE DESIGN
Unprecedented Sports Car Styling Encapsulating Space for Four Adults
The form of a genuine sports classic Mazda has produced many sports cars with
exciting styling that stand the test of time, such as the first-generation Cosmo
Sport, the RX-7 and the MX-5/Miata/Roadster. Following this tradition, Mazda
designers were determined to give the four-door, four-seater RX-8 unprecedented
styling. They began by sculpting a body with a dynamic feeling of motion.
Exciting surfaces run from the aggressive front air intake along the body to the
trunk lid. The classic rear-wheel drive sports layout places visual emphasis on
the rear tires. Short front and rear overhangs, and characteristic overfenders,
underline the vehicle's look of stability. The styling is a classic statement of
beauty in motion, reminiscent of a top athlete.
This is the perfect embodiment of Mazda's new design philosophy of "Emotion in
Motion." The adoption of the freestyle door system, for four doors without
center pillar, means the RX-8 is an unprecedented combination - the look and
feel of a genuine sports car in a four-door vehicle. The shape of the rear
pillars and rear window pay homage to the first-generation Cosmo Sport and RX-7,
yet its innovative package provides enough space for four adults.
Low, dynamic front end Aggressive lines extending from the air intake along the
low hood that only a rotary engine with its compact design can make possible; a
power bulge in the center of the hood with a rotor as the motif; a bumper fascia
emphasizing the "cubic" effect; and short front overhang all combine to create a
dynamic sports car image and emotional atmosphere, enhancing the car's Zoom-Zoom
spirit. In addition, the front fender wheel arches stand high and clear of the
low hood to visually manifest the RX-8's power and provide the driver a clear
view of the front corners of the vehicle.
Rear view with emotional and cool styling cues The rear view is designed to
create a vivid impression as the car drives away - an important consideration
for a sports car. This is partly achieved by the RX-8's short rear overhang.
Rear combination lamps receive a mechanical touch through the addition of chrome
accents, a rotor-shaped rear fog lamp is located low in the center of the
bumper, and the dual exhaust pipes are placed to the left and right. Taken
together, these elements create an impression that is simultaneously emotional
and contemporary.
RESPONSIVE HANDLING AND PERFORMANCE
High-mount backbone frame To give the RX-8 the rigidity a genuine sports car
demands, a strong, high-mount backbone is located in the upper part of the
transmission tunnel. This backbone runs from the front bulkhead through the
cabin to the rear bulkhead and functions as the main frame of the chassis,
enhancing rigidity and allowing reduction of body-panel thickness and weight. It
also contributes to safety in the event of a collision.
Closed-section power plant frame (PPF) The lightweight closed-section PPF locks
the entire powertrain - including the differential gear - into a single rigid
unit. This mechanism enhances direct and linear acceleration feel and crisp
shift operation with plenty of sports car driving pleasure.
One-piece, carbon-fiber propeller shaft Even with a 2,700mm wheelbase, the
RX-8's front-midship layout drastically shortens the distance from the gearbox
to the differential. This allowed engineers to install a one-piece propeller
shaft made of carbon fiber, which further reduced weight.
Double-wishbone suspension at front and multi-link beam suspension at rear
Long-arm double-wishbone suspension at the front and multi-link beam suspension
at the rear provide ideal suspension geometry. Long arms and links achieve
suspension linearity and roll control, while optimum roll-center height
maximizes suspension stroke. Tires remain perpendicular to the road throughout
the length of suspension travel for superior grip, even under the hardest
cornering. The result is superb roadholding with no sacrifice in ride comfort.
Thanks to the greatly reduced yaw-inertia moment (a result of the front-midship
layout), optimum roll-center height and tire camber control, the RX-8 delivers a
sharp response to steering inputs and enhanced controllability. This chassis and
suspension design also allowed the adoption of large-diameter 18-inch aluminum
wheels with high-grip 225/45ZR18 tires. Rack-and-pinion power steering gives
accurate feedback on road conditions, while an electric power-steering pump
delivers precisely the right amount of assist to match driving conditions. One
further benefit of an electric power-steering pump is improved fuel economy, as
electrically driven steering, as opposed to the typical belt-driven system, does
not drain power from the engine. Large, 17-inch ventilated discs on all wheels
give sure, positive braking in support of safe, sporty driving. Six-point rubber
mounts on the rear subframe improve both driving stability and road noise.
GREATER SAFETY AND CONSIDERATION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
Improved performance to side-collisions Placing the RENESIS engine front midship
realized a sufficiently large crushable zone between the engine and front
bumper. This ensures improved impact absorption in head-on and offset frontal
collisions. At the same time, the RX-8 also provides superior performance in
side-impacts. It has a highly rigid body structure for a sports car, in spite of
the pillar-less, wide-opening design. To achieve this, a large number of
measures were adopted including a rigid underbody frame, the high-mount backbone
running through the cabin, and carefully planned chassis reinforcements. A
reinforcement structure forms a virtual center pillar built into the door
frames, while top and bottom latches lock the rear door to the body. In
addition, a safety lock mechanism allows the rear doors to open only if the
front doors are open, too. Active-safety measures include large-diameter 17-inch
ventilated disc brakes on each wheel, a 4W-ABS (four-wheel anti-lock braking
system), and newly adopted DSC (dynamic stability control) that senses when the
vehicle begins to skid or spin, and counters it by controlling engine torque and
applying the brakes as needed.
Tackling environment problems Zero overlap between the intake and exhaust ports
results in enhanced thermal efficiency for the RENESIS engine, allowing a much
leaner air/fuel mixture for fuel efficiency when idling compared to the 13B-REW
rotary engine in the RX-7. In addition, thanks to the efficiency inherent in the
rotary engine, the RX-8 operates with a lean mixture even during high-speed
high-load operation. A high compression ratio and newly developed ultra-fine
fuel injectors make virtually perfect combustion possible across the engine's
entire speed range. Rotary engines also have structural qualities that cause
them to generate less NOx (nitrogen oxide) than conventional engines. RENESIS'
side-exhaust layout retains unburned HC (hydrocarbons) for the next combustion
cycle, further lowering emissions. In addition, a newly developed catalytic
converter for the rotary engine is teamed with a double-skin exhaust manifold
that maintains a high exhaust-gas temperature to improve catalyst activation on
engine start, even in cold conditions.
Years Available: 2003-onwards
Engine: 'RENESIS' 13B (1308cc) twin rotor (2 x 654cc) EFI
Transmission: 6 Speed Clutchless Auto with paddles
behind steering wheel
Power (Approx.): 246 hp (184kw) @
8500rpm
Torque (Approx.): 159 Lb/Ft (216Nm) @
7500rpm
Weight (Approx.): N/A
Chassis Prefix:
N/A
Specification:
N/A
Original Cost: Approx. $60000 AUD
