- by Brian Byrne
Big Japan interest in RX-8
09 April 2003: Five thousand people in Japan have placed pre-launch orders for the new Mazda RX-8, the latest version of the company's rotary-engined sports car series. The car officially goes on sale from the beginning of May, and delivery of pre-ordered vehicles will be made from the end of April.
The sales target for the Mazda RX-8 is 1,000 units per month in Japan.
The 4-seater car is powered by the all-new naturally-aspirated rotary engine 'RENESIS', which produces 250PS and is of twin-rotor construction. Fuel efficiency and emissions are said to have been substantially improved through the use of a Sequential Dynamic Air Intake System and drive-by-wire technology.
Owing to its reduced size, the Mazda RX-8 locates the engine 40mm lower, 60mm further aft than the RX-7's, while also allowing the dashboard to be moved 80mm forward, reducing the distance between the engine and passengers by 140mm. This design places the engine very close to the center of the vehicle.
Even with its center pillarless design, the Mazda RX-8 provides the same level of safety as a regular four-door sedan in side collisions by installing high-strength, vertical steel pipe reinforcements in the rear doors. These pipes act as built-in pillars that exhibit greater strength than even conventional center pillars.
The RX-8 employs an all-new 'Shock Cone Aluminum Hood' developed to enhance the absorption of impact and reduce the severity of head injuries sustained by pedestrians in an accident.
The RENESIS achieved high-fuel efficiency of 10km/liter for the Mazda RX-8 (five-speed manual transmission model) and meets the requirements for Excellent Low Emission Vehicle (E-LEV) classification.
©2003 irishcar.com