7 November 2001: Mazda's rotary powered sports coupe first seen as the concept model RX-Evolv two years ago and shown as the RX-8 at the Detroit Motor Show in January this year will now go into production to bring a rotary engine car back into the Mazda line up. It will carry the name RX-8.

It will be powered by a normally aspirated 250 bhp 1.3-litre rotary engine, coupled to a five speed manual transmission with a short throw gear change and will have 50:50 weight distribution and rear-wheel-drive.

There are a number of design touches that point to the car's power source; the rotor shape is used on the power bulge on the bonnet, the rear fog light, the gear stick and in the front seat headrests.

The rear passengers enter through the 'freestyle' door system; the rear doors are hinged at the rear and the B pillar has been removed. As a safety measure, the rear doors can only be opened when the front doors are open. When the front doors are closed the rear doors are locked into the bodywork by top and bottom latches and cannot be opened accidentally, thus making the Mazda RX-8 a true coupe design when driving but an easy access four door car when loading and unloading.

The boot of the RX-8 has enough space for luggage or two sets of golf clubs.

The RENESIS rotary engine, thanks to a redesign of the side intake and side exhaust ports, has high maximum outputs or 250 bhp at 8,500 rpm and torque of 220 Nm at 7,500 rpm.

The transmission tunnel that runs the length of the cockpit also houses a backbone that runs from the front to the rear bulkhead enhancing rigidity and allowing a reduction in body panel thickness and weight; this also contributes to safety in the event of a collision. Other weight saving designs include a carbon fibre propeller shaft and lightweight closed section power plant frame which locks the entire powertrain into a single rigid unit.

The Mazda RX-8 goes into production during late 2002 and goes on sale on this side of the world during 2003. TW