Review: Mazda FE RX-8 (2003-11)

Review: Mazda FE.I RX-8 (2003-08)

Overview

Released in July 2003, the Mazda FE Series I (FE.I) RX-8 was a four-door sports coupe. Manufactured in Hiroshima, Japan, the rear-wheel drive RX-8 was powered by a twin-rotor 1.3-litre 13B-MSP Renesis rotary engine . The Mazda RX-8 was available with six-speed manual and four-speed automatic transmissions.

Dimensions and body

The Mazda RX-8 was 4435 mm long, 1770 mm wide, 1340 mm tall and had a 2700 mm long wheelbase. As a result of the engine being positioned behind the front axle and the fuel tank being ahead of the rear axle, the RX-8 had a 50:50 fore:aft weight distribution. Furthermore, the RX-8 featured rear-hinged ‘Freestyle’ rear doors with a hinge angle of 80 degrees for easy access.

Suspension

The Mazda RX-8 had double wishbone front suspension and five-link rear suspension (both with mono-tube shock absorbers and torsion bar stabilisers.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Mazda RX-8 included dual front airbags, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags (i.e. for front and rear occupants), ABS, electronic brake force distribution, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

Brakes

The Mazda RX-8 had 323 mm by 24 mm ventilated front brake discs and 302 mm by 18 mm ventilated rear discs.

Features: Mazda RX-8

Standard features for the Mazda RX-8 included 18-inch alloy wheels with 225/45 R18 91W tyres, a six speaker 100 watt sound system with a six-stack CD player, climate control air conditioning, cruise control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift knob, remote central locking, power windows and heated mirrors, a tilt adjustable steering wheel, driver’s seat height and lumbar adjustment, 12 volt power outlet and an immobiliser.

The RX-8 was also fitted with a Torsen limited slip differential as standard.

The optional ‘Leather Pack’ added leather seats, xenon headlights, a nine speaker 300 watt Bose sound system, an eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat (including lumbar adjustment) and front fog lights; manual models were also fitted with drilled alloy pedals.

December 2005: RX-8 update

In December 2005, the Mazda RX-8’s interior underwent a minor update; changes included smooth finish leather seat bolsters (previously ribbed), a semi-gloss finish for chrome highlights, alloy pedals for the automatic ‘Leather Pack’ models and removal of the back plastic cover on leather seats.

2005 RX-8 Luxury Special Edition

In January 2005, a limited-run ‘Luxury Special Edition’ model was released. Compared to the standard RX-8, the Luxury Special Edition was differentiated by its higher quality beige leather seats with double stitching and colour matched door trims, cross-stitched black leather steering wheel and parking brake, power sliding glass sunroof, semi-gloss headlamp and rear combination lamp bezels, urethane-filled front suspension cross member and specially tuned dampers.

2006 RX-8 Revelation edition

In December 2006, a limited-run ‘Revelation’ edition was released; it was distinguished by its dark silver 18-inch alloy wheels, Alcantara seat trim with contrasting stitching, urethane-filled front suspension cross member, power sliding glass sunroof, Smart keyless entry and engine start system and Piano black transmission tunnel.

2008 RX-8 40^thAnniversary edition

In February 2008, a 40^thAnniversary edition was released; it featured high gloss 18-inch alloy wheels, unique leather and Alcantara interior, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, gearshift and handbrake, Bilstein shock absorbers, urethane-filled front suspension cross member, silver engine cover, floating rear spoiler, power sliding glass sunroof and blue reflector fog lamps.

Related links

• Specifications: Mazda FE RX-8 (June 2003)

Review: Mazda FE.II RX-8 (2008-11)

Overview

Released in July 2008, the Mazda FE Series II (FE.II) RX-8 featured a revised line-up, a more rigid body, engine modifications, new transmissions and revised styling. The range now consisted of three distinct variants: an unnamed entry-level variant, GT and Luxury; all were available with a six-speed manual transmission which had shorter ratios (the final drive ratio was reduced from 4.444 to 4.777), though the Luxury was also available with a newly introduced six-speed automatic transmission. Engine outputs were also changed, though the engine itself featured a new electronic oil pump and twin knock sensors.

For the Mazda FE.II RX-8, body rigidity was improved through the addition of structural reinforcements, the fitment of a trapezoidal strut tower bar and by enhancing the local rigidity of the front suspension tower rears. The rear suspension geometry was also reconfigured for better handling. Furthermore, a more rigid driveshaft was introduced to reduce noise, vibration and harshness (NVH).

The Mazda FE.II RX-8 could be identified by its larger air intakes, new head- and tail-lights, restyled spoiler, side air intakes with indicator repeaters and larger exhaust outlet. Inside, the centre section of the instrument panel was redesigned and featured ‘Active Illumination’; the front head restraints were also smaller for improved visibility.

Features

Compared to its FE.I predecessor, standard features for the FE.II RX-8 included an upgraded sound system with MP3 compatibility and auxiliary sound system input. The GT was differentiated by its 19-inch alloy wheels, Bilstein dampers, Recaro front seats, front foglights, urethane-filled front suspension cross member, front and rear spoilers, side skirts, leather-wrapped handbrake and aluminium pedals and footrest.

Compared to the price-leading RX-8, the Luxury variant added a nine speaker, 300 watt Bose sound system, eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat, powered glass sunroof, xenon headlights and front foglights; automatic models were also fitted with steering-wheel gearshift paddles.

Related links

• Press Kit: Mazda FE.II RX-8 (July 2008)
• Specifications: Mazda FE.II RX-8 (July 2008)
• Wikipedia.org: Mazda FE RX-8