MAZDA LAUNCHES FIVE-SPEED RX-8

Mazda South Africa's sports car icon, the inimitable RX-8, has been joined by a companion: a 141 kW / five-speed derivative! Based on the six-speed RX-8, which has won accolades the world over, this newcomer to the Zoom-Zoom family is expected to meet with considerable success in the South African market.

According to Rob Crouse, marketing manager for Mazda South Africa, the fivespeed derivative still offers Zoom-Zoom with attitude. 'As is the case with the sixspeed RX-8, truly beautiful car, which features a futuristic frame and astonishing interior, is built on a radical chassis around a truly revolutionary engine' he explains. 'It has been developed from the ground up to provide functional elegance and exceptional enjoyment - every time you drive it. However, while it retains the exclusivity of the six-speed derivative, the latest model also boasts a

more accessible price tag.' As is the case with the six-speed model, this newcomer features the awardwinning

RENESS rotary engine which is extremely compact. One of the many secrets of its success is the fact that this powerplant is mounted low and to the rear of the vehicle, in what Mazda calls an 'advanced front midship layout'. This twin rotar engine employs side intake and exhaust parts, and features approximately 30 percent more intake area than previous rotary engines, realising greatly reduced intake-flow resistance.

The 141 kW at 7000 r/min is slightly reduced from the six-speed's 170 kW at 8200 r/min - but it is certainly no less impressive. In fact, the 141 kW motor actually boasts better torque than the 170 kW unit – the former offers 220 Nm at just 5000 r/min (versus 211 Nm at 5500 r/min in the six-speed RX-8 model).

Thanks to its centrally located fuel tank, this new RX-8 boasts near faultless weight distribution, and a five percent reduction in yaw inertia - all of which produce precise and controlled handling. Naturally, this translates into significantly better cornering capabilities for all those aspiring Mazda drivers who crave performance. Combined with the wide tread, long wheelbase and short overhand, this car is an exhilarating drive with unmatched stability, whether on sbends roads or long, straight highways.

The five-speed gearbox's carefully chosen gear ratios offer a superior balance between performance and fuel economy. It has a fast short throw for crisp sporty shifting, made all the smoother and lighter by linked triple cone synchronisers for first, second and third gears.

The safety measures of the RX-8 (the world's first four-door, four-seater sports car) impress on both the active and passive fronts. The active safety measures include advanced braking in line with the requirements of genuine sports cars.

The RX-8 comes equipped with four-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD). Large diameter ventilated disk brakes in the front, and a single 10-inch booster assures a high servo limit. Combined they give the RX-8 class-leading braking distance with minimal fade. Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) combines the functions of four-wheel ABS and traction control, exercising command over engine power output as well and offering optimal brake control on all four wheels.

The system maintains a stable vehicle attitude when cornering on slippery surfaces or during emergency avoidance manoeuvres. DSC can be completely disabled, giving the driver full control when undertaking advanced driving techniques such as drift manoeuvres on a racing circuit. One of the most outstanding features of the RX-8 is its pillarless centre body, designed to realise a wide door-opening area. Nevertheless, the car achieves

supreme standards of safety through the incorporation of Mazda's tough body structure. The rigid body maintains world standards in frontal and rear-end collisions, as well as achieving the side-impact resistance of a regular four door sedan.

The high-rigidity body utilises crushable zones to absorb crash energy from frontal collisions. The Triple-H cabin construction – an innovative Mazda body feature that fiercely resists deformation during a crash – features three H-shaped beams that reinforce the floor, sides and roof. And, to prevent the wheels from impacting the cabin during a crash, wheel stopper reinforcements have been installed to prevent cabin deformation from rearward movement of the wheels. To suppress cabin deformation during a side on collision Mazda has installed high-strength, vertical steel pipe reinforcements in the rear doors. These insure that the entire body of the vehicle can evenly absorb crash energy, which would normally impact the centre pillar. A door latch mechanism secures these

reinforcements into the body (at the top and bottom ends) and, when locked in position, the pipes act as built-in pillars -exhibiting even greater strength than even the conventional centre pillars would provide. The fuel tank area is protected from intrusion during a rear-end collision by a high-mount backbone frame, cross members and rear side members.

Passive safety measures include the incorporation of airbags and seatbelts. Both the passenger and rear seats have curtain airbags to help minimise the risk of head injuries. The driver's side airbag system deploys in two stages. A sensor judges the severity of the collision and chooses which of the two airbag inflation stages to use, to ensure that the airbag offers the best possible protection to the driver.

The front seatbelts offer a pretensioner mechanism, which automatically absorbs the slack, holding the occupant firmly in place in the event of a collision. There is also a load limit mechanism to help minimise damage to the occupant's chest and thorax. Should the wearer exceed the predetermined seat belt limit, the load limiter releases the seatbelt in a controlled manner. The front seat headrest is designed to reduce whiplash and the hood is structured to better protect a pedestrian in the event of a crash. Mazda RX-8's taut exterior gives perfect expression to the three major design objectives of dynamism, stability and tension. These create a sense of motion even when the car is stationary. The only notable exterior differences between the two models are the wheels – 16-inch, in the case of the five-speed, versus the six-speed model's 18-inch wheels.

One of the truly fabulous features of the RX-8 is its freestyle door system, with front-hinged front doors and rear-hinged rear doors, which allows for easy access to both the front and back seats, thanks to the absence of a centre pillar. The rear door release handle can only be activated when the front door is open, preventing accidental opening while the car is in motion. Mechanical-look headlamps and dynamic aluminium wheels allow for striking visual appeal.

The compact exterior belies the actual cabin size. In a truly innovative move for a sports car, four adults can ride in complete comfort thanks to the Mazda's ingenious design. Ample headroom is on offer and, by minimising the thickness of the front seats, without compromising on comfort or hold, back seat passengers are assured of generous legroom. The result is four individual seats that are comfortable and perfectly adapted to high performance driving. The instrument panel's robust central section has wing-shaped dashboard sections on either side, giving a sense of protection. The three large round meters combine functionality with just the right style for the sports-minded driver. Information is displayed on the top of the central stack to minimise the change in the driver's line of vision. The adjustment knobs are situated low down, within easy reach, while audio and climate control are of the highest standards. Unlike the case with most other sports cars, the RX-8's boot was designed for practical living, accommodating two suitcases or two golf bags. To allow greater depth, the spare tyre has been removed and replaced with an emergency puncture repair kit. The double hinge trunk lid system accommodates hinges and dampers in their own grooves, so as not to impinge on the luggage space. These

design measures yield a shorter overhand, and maintain a trunk volume of about 290 litres (VDA). There is also a centre panel that can fold down into the back seat to allow for boot-through storage of longer items such as skis.

In a nutshell, this feisty performer sports the best of everything. With its awardwinning twin rotar engine, the five-speed Mazda RX-8 is an absolute pleasure to drive, boasting state-of-the-art interior comforts and the safety to really enjoy the ride. Its sporty and spirited physique adds the finishing touch to a unique driving experience.

The Mazda RX-8 has a 3year / 100,000 km's warranty period, 10,000 km's or 12 months service intervals, 5 year / 100,000 km's maintenance plan and a 24 hour / 7 days a week roadside assistance programme as standard - which includes features such as hotel accommodation or free car hire as may be required.

by Ford Motor Company

by Mazda

In true superhero fashion, the aggressively styled Mazda RX-8 X-MEN Car, based on the production model 2004 Mazda RX-8, possesses its own unique super power-in this case, the new generation rotary engine RENESIS. In addition, its dominant presence is accentuated by an impenetrable Mutant Blue exterior which includes an X-shaped grille, a fierce rear spoiler and an enlarged trademark 'X' on the vehicle's nameplate.

On the inside, the Mazda RX-8 X-MEN Car is trimmed in imposing silver and black shades, including the door trim, seats and steering wheel. A communication device is prominently displayed on the upper center console.

X2 director Brian Singer worked closely with Mazda on the RX-8 X-MEN Car in a unique collaboration to bring the Mazda RX-8, the company's brand icon, to the big screen with a starring role in the film. Singer revised the movie's original script to accommodate the vehicle.

by Mazda

Coinciding with the opening of the 2005 Chicago Auto Show, Mazda today announced its RX-8 'SHINKA' Special Edition is now available at local Mazda dealers. The Mazda RX-8 'SHINKA' Special Edition takes its name from the Japanese word meaning 'evolution' or 'transformation,' and adds design style and performance to the highly successful sportscar. Only 2,150 'SHINKA' Special Edition cars will be produced.

'We've taken the RX-8 – a car already lauded by customers and media alike – to a new level of sophistication and exclusivity with the ‘SHINKA' Special Edition,' said Weldon Munsey, RX-8 vehicle line manager for Mazda North American Operations (MNAO). 'Improved ride and handling capabilities, along with interior and exterior refinements, make the ‘SHINKA' Special Edition the ultimate RX-8.'

The Mazda RX-8 'SHINKA' will be available with either a six-speed manual or four-speed Sport A/T automatic transmission, featuring Formula One-style steering-wheel-mounted paddles for manual gear shifting. Manual transmission-equipped cars are fitted with a 238-horsepower engine that spins to a heady 9000 rpm, while Sport A/T-equipped cars are powered by a 198-horsepower engine tuned specifically to take advantage of the automatic's gear ratios.

To further enhance driving performance and ride comfort, the RX-8 'SHINKA' features a uniquely tuned suspension system, upgraded from the standard car. The system offers a foam urethane filled front suspension cross member and specially tuned dampers, while achieving improved body rigidity through reinforcing the top-front portion of the A-pillars and improving the stability of the rear damper mounting points.

The distinctiveness of the RX-8 'SHINKA' extends to both the exterior and interior appointments of the vehicle. The car is offered only in a rich Black Cherry body color offset by a soft Parchment Tan leather interior. Among the exclusive exterior enhancements are semi-gloss bezels for the headlamps and rear combination lamps, as well as dark-silver gloss aluminum wheels. Also standard on the RX-8 'SHINKA' is a 300-watt Bose® sound system with in-dash six-disc CD changer. While many Mazda vehicles are pre-wired for SIRIUS® satellite radio, 'SHINKA' models will be the first to be equipped as standard, as all cars will include a one-year subscription to SIRIUS.

by Mazda

It is midnight. There is complete silence on the track and the cold damp darkness has an inky-black density.

Suddenly the night is sliced open by a pair of electric blue lights that glare down the straight and head towards the start-finish mark. The silence is absolute.

The lights draw nearer now, hurtling ahead, and the stillness is finally ripped apart by the wail of a Mazda RX-8 at full chat, blasting its way through the night-time air at over 140mph as it flies down the straight and on towards the next corner.

All eyes flick immediately from the glowing red tail-lights of the swiftly disappearing car to a flickering television screen on the trackside that displays the Mazda RX-8's statistics – actual speed, lap time, lap number and average speed. The engineers, team managers and other drivers silently punch the air. Mazda is on its way to setting a new world record.

Well, not just one – make that 40 FIA-recognised world speed records. At the beginning of this month a 14-strong team of motoring journalists from 11 European countries, as well as Formula Woman champion Natasha Firman, put two Mazda RX-8s through the most gruelling of endurance tests – 24 hours of non-stop maximum speed around the 7.6mile-long banked circuit at Papenburg test facility, near Hamburg in the north of Germany.

Under the auspices of the FIA, motorsport's official governing body, the German motorsport federation DMSB, selected two Mazda RX-8s for the event. The first was a standard road car and would compete in Category B for standard production cars. The other entrant was one of the cars used in this year's successful Formula Woman all-woman race series, competing in Category A for special vehicles.

Both cars were fitted with a bespoke racing seat, a full roll cage and fire extinguishers – all mandatory requisites for competition racing – but their mechanics were left untouched. The FIA even sealed the engine and gearbox to ensure its mass-produced authenticity. The race team was also supported by tyre manufacturer Kumho which supplied dry and wet weather tyres for the event, and German fuel supplier Aral provided on-site refuelling for the pair of Mazda RX-8s.

The cars started their ordeal at 12:20pm on Saturday 3 October and, pausing only to refuel and change drivers, were pushed to their limits to create 40 new endurance records for naturally aspirated rotary-powered cars.

Under the hawk-like eyes of Shoji Tokuda, Mazda Motor Europe's chief engineer who tended to the cars' every needs throughout the 24 hour period, the pair of RX-8s racked up respective average speeds of 132.250mph in the Group A section, and 134.174mph in Group B, as well as an array of other time and distance records (see accompanying tables).

The event also underlines the bulletproof reliability of the Mazda RX-8. Each car covered a total of 3,174 miles during the 24hour period without skipping a single revolution of their award-winning RENESIS twin-rotary engine. Impressive.

The rest of the car was just as fault free – apart from a snapped boot release cable that caused mass consternation in the pits because it meant one of the cars would be unable to refuel. But a bit of inspirational handy work with a mallet and a length of new cabling soon sorted the problem.

These records better those set by Johnny Herbert, Bertrand Gachot and Volker Weidler under race conditions during the 1991 Le Mans 24-hour endurance race. Their ferocious 700bhp Mazda 787B racecar lapped the famous French circuit at an average speed of 127.1mph.

But it's not just about sitting in a car and driving at top speed around a big bowl. Papenburg's track is more lozenge-shaped – two long straights joined by a pair of sweeping, steeply banked curves at each end.

Despite driving flat out in sixth gear to maintain maximum speed, further precious seconds can be shaved off a single lap simply by positioning the car with millimetric accuracy into the entry of the corner and slingshotting it out the exit. Now, a second here and there on a lap may not sound much, but over 415 laps, that adds up to a lot of saved time – and higher speeds.

Driver change-over times were also crucial – witness the flurry of activity when one of the cars came in to collect a new driver. The outgoing driver has to enter the pit area as quickly and safely as possible, position the car for refuelling, kill the engine, release himself from the four-point harness and then climb out. While the new driver gets strapped in, the car is refuelled, the oil level and tyre pressures are painstakingly checked, the headlamps and windscreen are cleaned and then the go paddle is flashed up and the race against time starts again. Throughout the entire race every move on either car was adjudicated by an FIA official to ensure the attempt met their stringent qualifications.

It's through the long dark night that the drivers really need to be at the top of their game – as Formula Woman ace Natasha Firman explains: 'It's a lot easier when it's light because you can pick up your turning reference points and you have a sense of what's around you. At night though, all you have is what the headlamps pick up. It makes it difficult to focus on the corner ahead when you can't see it. And,' she admits, 'it can feel quite lonely out there because you feel really isolated from the action.'

Nor does it help when it starts to rain – just after midnight the skies opened, releasing a cold and persistent downpour. A combination of lights and flags brought the cars into the pits for a quick tyre change, the Kumho engineers swiftly lowering the car's tyre pressure to reduce the chance of aquaplaning. But fortune was smiling on the Mazda team because the rain lasted no longer than an hour and the cars were soon back up to full pace.

And they maintained this v-max speed for a full 24 hours, crossing the line just after noon on Sunday 3rd October, with Shoji Tokuda enthusiastically waving the chequered flag. 'There's no tougher test than this,' he said. 'We can't think of a better example of the reliability, strength and power of the Mazda RX-8's RENESIS engine than a round-the-clock race against time.'

by Mazda

The RX-8 was developed to deliver distinctive styling and unparalleled driving excitement. At the same, the car also delivers high practicality, such as seating room for four adults, good fuel economy, and utility. The RX-8 is designed to meet the needs of active, sports-minded customers who enjoy spending time with friends and family. Furthermore, despite the absence of center pillars, the car provides a high level of safety, and was designed with environmental concerns in mind.

Mazda is the only automobile manufacturer to master the rotary engine and has done so for nearly four decades. The company made its international racing debut in the 1968 84-Hour Marathon de la Route endurance competition in Nurburgring, Germany, with the Cosmo Sport 110S, Mazda's first rotary-engine sports car. Following the success of the Cosmo Sport 110S, Mazda continued to make its mark with the rotary-powered R-100, RX-2, RX-3, RX-4, RX-5. In the late 1970s and 1980s, the Mazda RX-7 quickly established itself as the dominant car in its class, ultimately becoming the most successful model in International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) history. Mazda then conquered Le Mans by winning the overall victory with the 787B racer, powered by the four-rotor engine.

Since its debut at the 2003 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the brand new 2004 RX-8 has been touted as a sports car like no other. Propelled by the all-new RENESIS 13B rotary engine, the RX-8's twin rotors deliver 238 horsepower and one of the most pleasing engine sounds ever. Its unique, athletically sculpted styling features freestyle doors and enough passenger room for four full-size adults. It also offers perfect 50/50 weight distribution.

by Mazda

The only coupe with a four-door configuration, the Mazda RX8 was built for driving enthusiasts. Featuring a high-revving 1.3-liter rotary engine that was called the Renesis, the engine was quite impressive. The exhaust ports were located on the side of each of the combustion chambers, instead of on the outer edge of the rotary housing. This engine allows for more power, lower emissions, and higher fuel economy.

The engine was able to be mounted further back in the RX-8's chassis because of the engine's compact size, giving the vehicle the coveted 50/50 front/rear weight distribution. At a very svelte 3,000 lb curb weight, the RX8 featured balanced suspension tuning and sharp steering. The Mazda RX-8 was one of the best-handling vehicles on the market, and was among the best sports cars available for less than $30,000.

After nearly a decade of lack, introduced in 2004, the Mazda RX-8 brought back the rotary-powered sports vehicle to the U.S. Mazda also received an image with greater stature and performance than the Miata. Usually, Mazda sells its sport coupe with either a manual or automatic transmission, though most enthusiasts would agree that the six-speed manual version is the best way to experience the RX-8.

The manual-equipped Mazda RX-8 featured horsepower that crested at 238 at 8,500 rpm with redline hitting at an impressive 9,000. The RX-8 was timed at .6 seconds to 60 mph and 15.1 seconds through the quarter-mile, as tested by Inside Line testers. Automatic RX-8s redlined at 7,500 rpm.

Comfortable enough for a daily commuter, the Mazda RX-8 isn't the most economical choice as the fuel economy tends to hover in the high teens. The interior of the car was quite nice as well. The reverse-hinged rear doors allowed for the loading of cumbersome child seats, while the rear seats are roomy enough to accommodate adults on short trips.

The manual version came with a firmer suspension and 18-inch wheel, while these were optional on automatic models. Through the Shinka Special-Edition package, further suspension upgrades were available, along with luxuries such as leather upholstery and a navigation system.

A descendant of the two-door RX-7 sport coupe that was sold in three generations from 1979 through 1995, the Mazda RX-8 featured an extra set of doors. The RX-7 was taken off the U.S. market due to poor sales and difficulty in reaching emission standards. However, the RX-7 continued to be sold in Japan through 2002. At the time it was deleted, the third generation RX-7 was sold for $32,500 in 1995, a much more expensive vehicle than today's RX-8.

The 2004 RX-8 is almost a return to the original RX-7, while still being a completely different sort of sports car. With a newly redesigned rotary engine, the RX-8 featured reverse-opening doors and room for four adults, making it quite an impressive vehicle. The new RX-8 also featured the newly designed, naturally aspirated 'Renesis' version of the good, old 13B rotary. The rotary engine had no valvetrain, and the location of these parts is crucial to the engine's performance. In the earlier engine, these ports were located on the outer edge of the rotary housing, while in the Genesis they are on the side of the rotary chamber. This location allows engineers to completely close the exhaust port before the intake port opens, and vice versa, unlike the earlier design. Along with a variable intake system that optimizes airflow, the new Genesis also allows them to use 30-percent larger intake ports than before. The redline was now up at an amazing 9,000 rpm.

Even more impressive was that even with access to the rearward accommodations, the four-seater still retained a sports car-s balance thanks to 50/50 weight distribution and a supple chassis with double-wishbones up front and a multilink independent system in the rear. The Renesis engine sat back in its chassis much like the 12A did in the original RX-7. Part of the package is the naturally, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and rack and pinion steering. The Mazda RX-8 weighs in at a very impressive 3,029 lbs in manual transmission form.

The RX-8's main source of competition lies in the new Nissan 350Z, basically because Mazda's own people were quoting curb weight comparisons.

Edmunds.com chose the RX-8 as the winner when pitted against the 350Z as it generated 238 horsepower from a measly 1.3 liters. The RX-8 yielded 6.6 seconds in the 0-60 mph track test. The RX-8 glides through bends and turns in a manner that's far less intimidating the Z, which hammers it ways through bends, according to Edmunds.com.

by Jessican Donaldson