SE3P:Revision

The first generation Mazda RX-8 has been on the road since 2003 and lifting it with her through the parking lot, mainly to Japan and the United States for a few more years before being replaced. The four seats will be an entirely new model added to its range, the type RS. Type RS The base model joins the RX-8, E-type and S-type, providing an even more powerful engine combined with a new body kit.

The set is enhanced with larger air intakes in the front bumper, side ventilation air now have a turn indicator and LED taillights contain the fires. The aluminum wheels are three new models have been improved and 17 inches on the basic model and Type E, the Type S has 18 inches while the new RS wheels sits on 19-inch rims.

Inside, the base model and the Type S are densely decorated with black cloth bag, the Type E, come with leather covers black, red and beige. The tachometer also received an update with silver markings and lighting white.

Under the hood Mazda improved water and oil pumps improving performance on the RENESIS rotary engine. The revised version of the multiplier manual transmission helps meet acceleration at lower RPM. Mazda has also redesigned the structure, increasing the rigidity and local improved aerodynamics.

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All details: Exterior

While maintaining the RX-8’s distinctive sports car proportions, the freshened exterior produces better aerodynamics and cooling performance.

• Enlarged central and side air intakes in the front bumper improve engine cooling and emphasize the athletic styling. Side marker lamps integrated with the headlights reflect fine craftsmanship.

• The front fenders feature turn indicators integrated with newly designed air vents.

• The new rear bumper, designed in the same color as the car body, elevates the sense of quality. Enlarged dual exhaust pipes express high power, and LED lamps set in a circle in each rear combination light spotlight the sporty appeal.

• Newly designed aluminum wheels. The Type S has 18-inch wheels with a rotor-shaped motif that symbolizes the rotary engine. The Type E and RX-8 base grade have 17-inch wheels with a five-spoke design.

• New high quality exterior colors, Sparkling Black Mica, Diamond Grey Metallic and the sporty Aurora Blue Mica, bring the total range to eight body colors.

Interior

Based on the RX-8’s iconic sports car design, detailed interior refinements improve the packaging and quality.

• Updated instrument panel center section design. The pop-up type optional GPS navigation system has been replaced by a system fully integrated into the center stack.

• The addition of silver markings on the tachometer enhances the vehicle’s sporty feel. White illumination improves its visibility and the sense of quality.

• Tactile leather is now used to wrap the steering wheel and parking brake lever. The appearance and feel of the door arm rests and rear console lid have also been improved.

• Newly designed seats. The Type S and RX-8 base grade have densely woven black fabric seat covers. The Type E’s seats have a finely perforated leather center section (in black, red or beige). Grades with leather seats also offer improved functionality through an eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat with a three-person memory function, an electric folding driver’s seat for easy access to the rear, and newly added heated front seats for extra comfort in winter.

• The Mazda G-BOOK Alpha-compatible voice controlled HDD navigation system is available at as a factory-installed option. The system offers access to a range of information and services, and also supports Bluetooth® applications.

After a review of every aspect of the RX-8’s superb performance, the freshened RX-8 lineup now offers an even more refined sporty ride.

• The RENESIS rotary engine now provides an enhanced acceleration feel at middle to low-engine speeds due to various improvements such as new water and oil pumps. These changes also contribute to improved durability and stability.

• New variable red zone system. The tachometer red zone moves in three stages according to the engine temperature. This prevents over-revving immediately after startup when the engine is cold.

• The gear ratios in the six-speed manual transmission-equipped grades have been lowered to improve off-the-line acceleration. Model grades with the six-speed automatic (Activematic) transmission feature a newly developed Direct mode. When driving with the gear selector in Drive (D), Direct mode allows the driver to temporarily change gears using the paddle shifters on the steering wheel without having to switch to Manual mode. This provides a boost in acceleration or engine braking to aid certain situations such as overtaking other vehicles or descending steep gradients.

• The front and rear suspensions were revamped, and the dampers, coil springs, bushes and stabilizers were optimized to improve stability and ride comfort.

• A trapezoidal strut tower bar (on manual transmission grades) and reinforced suspension towers and wheel aprons increase the torsional rigidity of the front body and improve stability.

• Aerodynamics were improved by adjusting the shape of the front and rear corners, enlarging the front tire deflectors and adding an engine undercover to control air flow. This resulted in an improved drag coefficient (Cd) of 0.30 and enhanced high-speed stability.

Main features of the new RX-8 Type RS (R3 in the USA)

This new grade was designed especially for customers with sporty tastes. Its base model is the six-speed manual transmission version of the RX-8 Type S. With heightened sporty driving performance and strong and athletic styling that sets it apart from the standard model grades, the Type RS offers exceptional driving pleasure.

Enhanced sporty equipment

• Exclusive aeroparts - The large front aero bumper, side under spoilers, and rear spoiler create a more muscular impression and increase stability at highway speeds.

• 19-inch forged aluminum wheels - Gunmetal forged wheels with rotor-shaped motifs help reduce the unsprung weight. Matched with 225/40R19 89W tires, they yield exceptional grip and create a heart thumping impression.

• RECARO bucket seats (front) - The exclusively designed RX-8 seats have fabric center sections (a black and grey combination), black genuine leather side supports and are accentuated with red stitching. They offer first-rate body support.

• Leather-wrapped steering wheel, shift lever and hand brake (with red stitching) - The red stitching on the leather matches the exclusive bucket seats.

• Hard suspension (Bilstein dampers) - The suspension was specially designed for the RX-8 to support its superb driving performance. It enables lithe vehicle movement with stable damping force for various driving situations.

• Front suspension crossmembers filled with urethane foam. - Filling the crossmembers makes for excellent driving stability, linear steering and improved ride feel.

Mechanical Changes In Series II RX-8's over S1

• All New Powertrain Control Module (PCM) with TEMPERATURE SENSOR newly added and built into the PCM, when ETC (Engine Compartment Temperature) reaches 230F or 100C with Ignition OFF, Medium Cooling Fans Switch ON.
• New Larger Genuine Oil Filter and Repositioned On Front Timing Cover Housing To-wards The Sump (Left Hand Side). USE GENUINE 09 SERIES II OIL FILTER ONLY.

Revised Oil Filler and Dip Stick (Longer Type).

• New EMOP "Electric Metering Oil Pumps" Two of them... Internal Oil Pressure in EMOP's is between 7.3 and 21.7 PSI (Used for the first time by Mazda)
• New Design Oil Injection Nozzles 3 per Rotor Housing..Totalling 6.
• New Oil Pump Assembly.
• 50% Higher Oil Pressure Rate at 100 oC (121oF) @3000 RPM...500 kPa {5.10 kgf/cm2, 72.5 psi} When compared to Series 1 RX-8.
• New Oil Pressure Sensor (Located on #1 EMOP).
• Larger Oil Pan Sump Capacity.
• New Hex (8mm) Type Oil/Sump Drain Plug.
• New Internal Oil/Sump Pan Magnet...(First Time Used In A Rotary Engine Since 1985 FC RX-7)
• New External Silver Plate Engine Sump Guard.
• New Inlet Manifold with Changed APV Position Sensors.
• Revised 4 Fuel Injection Nozzles (2 Primary, 2 Secondary). (Series I six Port Engine had 6 FI Nozzles).
• Revised Atmospheric Air Control Solenoid (Near Throttle Body)
• New Fuel Pump.
• New Radiator Core.
• New Radiator Electric Fan Motors.
• Revised Radiator Fans Speeds from 2 to 3 Speeds. (Low, Middle, High).
• New Alternator.
• New Starter Motor.
• New Battery 80D26L. (80 AMP Hour) (Was 50D22L (50AH) or 75D26L (75AH) in Series I)
• New Exhaust System.
• New Yaw Rate Sensor Unit.
• New Air Conditioner Temperature Controller (Amplifier).
• New Bridgestone RE050A's in 18" and 19" (R3).
• New Manual Transmission (6 speed MX-5/Miata) (Reverse is now next to 1st gear not next to 6th gear).
• New Differential Ratio (Manual).
• New Differential Fixing Plate Washer on PPF (Power Plant Frame).
• Changed Throw Out Bearing (Thrust or Fork Bearing).
• Revised Oil Coolers, Air Intakes and Oil Cooler Hose Lines.
• Extra Rotor Knock Sensor (Now 1 per Rotor, Total Of 2).
• New Water Pump/ New Timing Cover to suit.
• New Water Pump Pulley.
• New Water Pump "O" Ring as Gasket.
• New Spark Plug Leads.
• New Ignition Coil Backing/Mounting Plate (looks ventilated or holed)
• New Alternator/Air Compressor Drive Belts.
• Revised Eccentric Shaft (Crankshaft) Pulley.
• Revised Oxygen Sensor (CAT).
• Revised Air/Fuel Ratio Sensor (Exhaust Manifold).
• New Air Pump Control Unit.
• New One Piece Trans Tunnel Heat Shield (Previously Two Piece).
• New Under Body Covers Reducing C Drag from 0.31 to now 0.30.
• Larger Fuel Tank (5 liters extra or around a gallon).
• New Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) Hydraulic Unit Control Module.
• New Differential Mounting Bracket.
• New Rear Suspension Control Links (Rods) Upper/Lower and Trailing have increased In Diameter.
• New Rear Stabilizer Bar.
• New Rear Shocks And Springs.
• New Rear Parking Brake Cables.
• New ABS Wheel Sensors (All 4 Wheels).
• Revised TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) US Only.
• New Front Upper And Front Lower Suspension Arms (Wishbone).
• New Front Steering Knuckles And Wheel Hubs.
• New Front Stabilizer Bar.
• New Front Shock and Springs.
• Revised Power Steering Control System Unit.
• Revised Headlamp Auto Leveling Sensors.
• New 3 Piece (Instead of 2) Strut Tower Brace (Manual Only), Auto's Retains Two Piece Tower Brace.
• Revised Front and Rear Wheel Arch Splash Guards/Shields.
• Thicker (Heavier Guage) Steel On The Two Front Strut Towers.
• Additional Spot Welding Around Both Door Openings For Increased Rigidity.
• Stiffened Body Shell = Torsional (twisting) and Flexural (bending) Rigidity have been increased by 5.4 and 8.7 per cent respectively.
• Auto's and Manual's both have 6 port engines, Max Power RPM (kw) has been limited to 7500 for Auto compared to 8200 RPM for the manual.