January 8, 2002

Detroit Auto Show
Mazda RX-8
Mazda shows production-ready version of four-door, four-seat sports car

Charlie Hughes (L), President and CEO, Mazda North America, and Mark Fields (R), Representative Director, President and CEO, Mazda Motor Corporation, with the MAZDA RX-8 sports car after its North America debut at the 2002 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan. Click image to enlarge

Detroit, Michigan - The North American International Auto Show hosted the North American debut of the production version of Mazda's sleek twin-rotor RX-8, the world's only four-door, four-seat sports car and the only one not powered by a piston engine.

Thanks to the compact dimensions of its new RENESIS rotary engine, the RX-8, which has virtually the same exterior dimensions as the Porsche 911 Carrera, can accommodate four adults and luggage and deliver world-class sports car performance.

Mazda engineers set out to create a new sports car formula by blending three seemingly contradictory ingredients: strikingly original sports car styling, a superior blend of sports car handling and performance, ride comfort and practicality for four adults. One of the key factors in achieving these goals is RENESIS, a new-generation twin-rotor Mazda rotary engine that is smaller and lighter than the company's previous rotary, but produces even more power.

Click image to enlarge

Because it has a new side-intake and side-exhaust layout, the engine delivers 250 horsepower at 8,500 rpm and 162 lb-ft of torque at 7,500 rpm without the weight and complexity of a turbo- or supercharger, while achieving improved fuel efficiency and cleaner emissions.

The MAZDA RX-8 features a sophisticated front-midship engine layout as well as a freestyle, four-door configuration without a centre pillar, which enables a comfortable interior with space for four adults, belying the attractive sports car styling. The 50:50 front/rear weight distribution and a low yaw-inertia moment give the MAZDA RX-8 outstanding handling. Its superior practicality allows it to appeal to a wider range of customers worldwide.

More News from the show....