Mazda RX-8 Dingo Art (2003)

Mazda RX-8 Dingo Art

The Mazda RX-8 is a sports car manufactured by Mazda Motor Corporation. It first appeared in 2001 at the North American International Auto Show. It is the successor to the RX-7 and like its predecessors in the RX range it is powered by a Wankel rotary engine.

Design

The RX-8 was designed as a front mid-mounted, rear-wheel drive 2+2 coupé. The car has a 50/50 weight distribution, achieved by mounting the engine behind the front axle. Weight is trimmed through the use of materials such as aluminium and plastic for the body panels and a carbon fiber composite driveshaft.

The car features a pair of rear-hinged "freestyle" doors (also known as suicide doors) in order to provide easier access to the rear seats. The RX-8 has no B-pillar between the front and rear doors, with the leading edge of the rear door acting as a 'virtual pillar' to maintain structural rigidity. Because of the overlapped design, the rear doors can only be opened when the front doors are open.

Powertrain

The RX-8 is powered by a 1.3 L naturally-aspirated RENESIS rotary engine, which features newly designed side intake and exhaust ports. The engine is smaller and lighter than previous rotaries, primarily due to the lack of a turbocharger and associated parts.

The engine is designed in various configurations for different models, but in its most powerful setup develops 250 PS (246.58 hp, 184 kW) at 8,500 rpm with a redline at 9,000 rpm and fuel cut-off at 9,500 rpm. It won the International Engine of the Year and Best New Engine awards in 2003 and holds the "2.5 to 3 liter" size award for 2003 and 2004.

The power is delivered to the rear wheels via a 5- or 6-speed manual gearbox or a 4-speed automatic through a limited slip differential.

In late 2003 Mazda issued a press release stating that the actual horsepower of the RX-8 was up to 5% less than previously advertised. Mazda offered to buy back any of the affected vehicles sold in the United States. Those who chose to keep the cars were given other incentives such as free maintenance, parts, and accessories.

In August 2006, Mazda announced that a problem with oil leakage has led to the engines in many RX-8s having to be replaced. Mazda will voluntarily recall all 2004 and 2005 RX-8s, as well as some 2006s, and subject them to a vacuum test. All engines that fail the test will be replaced, as they "would rather replace the engine than have the dealer crack them open."

Models

The RX-8 is available in various models in different markets around the world. Standard models include:

• 6-speed manual "High Power" with an output of between 170 kW and 177 kW and a 9,000 rpm redline (Japanese models produce 184 kW due to the availability of higher octane fuel)
• 5-speed manual "Standard Power" tuned to 141 kW with the redline reduced to 7,500 rpm
• 4-speed automatic tuned to 141 kW in some markets, while the U.S. automatic is claimed at 197 SAE net hp (158 kW)

Shinka/Evolve

Mazda introduced a special Shinka edition to the U.S. market in 2005, and to the UK market in 2006 where it was branded as the Evolve. New features included Shinka badges on the B-pillar, new paint colours (Black Cherry Mica, Copper Red and Phantom Blue), re-styled mirrors, alcantara-trimmed leather seats, updated component materials, and enhanced chassis and suspension tuning. Power output remained unchanged from the standard models.

Hydrogen RE

At the 2004 North American International Auto Show, Mazda unveiled the RX-8 Hydrogen RE concept car, designed to run on either hydrogen or gasoline. In February 2006, Mazda revealed that it would start leasing a dual-fuel RX-8 to commercial customers in Japan, and in March 2006 announced its first two customers, claiming the first fleet deliveries of a dual hydrogen/gasoline production car.

Awards

To mid-2006 the RX-8 has won at least 37 international motoring awards including the 2003 Japanese Car of the Year, Australia's Wheels magazine's Car of the Year for 2003, the 2004 Singapore Car of the Year, the 2004 US Best Sports Car, and several UK Best Car Awards. It was also named on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 2004, 2005, and 2006.

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