What is it?
2003 Mazda RX-8
What's special about it?
We first reported on the RX-Evolv at the 1999 Tokyo Motor Show. At that time, the car was just a concept vehicle. Plenty of interest was shown by both the motoring press and the public, so Mazda decided to make the car a reality. A design and engineering model, called the RX-8, was shown at the 2001 North American International Auto Show. Now, two years after the RX-Evolv's unveiling, Mazda showed off the production version of the 2003 RX-8.
Mazda fans will be happy to know that little has changed on the production version. In developing the car, Mazda strove to realize conflicting goals: delivering a vehicle with sporty styling and superior handling and performance, while providing ride comfort and functionality for four adults. The key attributes to the RX-8's success are its next-generation rotary engine and its four-door configuration without a center pillar.
As with the last generation of the RX-7, Mazda has made a concerted effort to minimize the weight of the RX-8. Some weight-reducing elements include a one-piece carbon-fiber drive shaft and lightweight sport seats. No official curb weight has been given, but the car is 174.2 inches long and 69.7 inches wide.
Mazda says the RX-8 actually has a front-midship engine layout as the new compact Renesis rotary engine is located behind the front axle. Naturally aspirated, the Renesis is smaller and lighter than the RX-7's turbo rotary engine. As a result, the RX-8 has a 50:50 front/rear weight distribution, a reduced yaw-inertia moment and a low center of gravity. Mazda has yet to indicate final horsepower, but the company's goal is 250 horsepower. The suspension will consist of a long-arm double-wishbone suspension at the front and multilink beam suspension at the rear. Thanks to the greatly reduced yaw-inertia moment, optimum roll-center height and tire camber control, the RX-8 should deliver a sharp response to steering inputs and enhanced controllability. The car rolls on 18-inch tires and features electrically assisted power steering.
Why should you care?
Much of Mazda's image and heritage centers on the RX-series of cars. Along with the Nissan 350Z, the RX-8 indicates the return of mid-priced Japanese sports cars. But the RX-8 isn't a sports car, is it? This is something completely new. If the car does deliver on what Mazda says it can do — sports car handling and power with enough interior room to equal a regular family sedan — the RX-8 will be one of the top cars for 2003. — Brent Romans
2003 Mazda RX-8
What's special about it?
We first reported on the RX-Evolv at the 1999 Tokyo Motor Show. At that time, the car was just a concept vehicle. Plenty of interest was shown by both the motoring press and the public, so Mazda decided to make the car a reality. A design and engineering model, called the RX-8, was shown at the 2001 North American International Auto Show. Now, two years after the RX-Evolv's unveiling, Mazda showed off the production version of the 2003 RX-8.
Mazda fans will be happy to know that little has changed on the production version. In developing the car, Mazda strove to realize conflicting goals: delivering a vehicle with sporty styling and superior handling and performance, while providing ride comfort and functionality for four adults. The key attributes to the RX-8's success are its next-generation rotary engine and its four-door configuration without a center pillar.
As with the last generation of the RX-7, Mazda has made a concerted effort to minimize the weight of the RX-8. Some weight-reducing elements include a one-piece carbon-fiber drive shaft and lightweight sport seats. No official curb weight has been given, but the car is 174.2 inches long and 69.7 inches wide.
Mazda says the RX-8 actually has a front-midship engine layout as the new compact Renesis rotary engine is located behind the front axle. Naturally aspirated, the Renesis is smaller and lighter than the RX-7's turbo rotary engine. As a result, the RX-8 has a 50:50 front/rear weight distribution, a reduced yaw-inertia moment and a low center of gravity. Mazda has yet to indicate final horsepower, but the company's goal is 250 horsepower. The suspension will consist of a long-arm double-wishbone suspension at the front and multilink beam suspension at the rear. Thanks to the greatly reduced yaw-inertia moment, optimum roll-center height and tire camber control, the RX-8 should deliver a sharp response to steering inputs and enhanced controllability. The car rolls on 18-inch tires and features electrically assisted power steering.
Why should you care?
Much of Mazda's image and heritage centers on the RX-series of cars. Along with the Nissan 350Z, the RX-8 indicates the return of mid-priced Japanese sports cars. But the RX-8 isn't a sports car, is it? This is something completely new. If the car does deliver on what Mazda says it can do — sports car handling and power with enough interior room to equal a regular family sedan — the RX-8 will be one of the top cars for 2003. — Brent Romans
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