Page 8 of 06 Mazda RX-8 by Mazda USA

A. A. B. C. A. Steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, similar to those on some race cars, are standard on the RX-8 equipped with a Sport AT 6-speed automatic transmission. B. In manual sport mode, the Sport AT allows you the fun of shifting gears via its paddle shifters or console-mounted shifter and delivers a spirited 212 hp. C. The advanced multilink rear suspension of the RX-8 delivers precise camber control, resulting in outstanding grip. In front, its sophisticated double-wishbone suspension design benefits from the light weight and high strength of aluminum alloy upper and lower control arms. A Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system is also available. The system monitors both throttle and brake functions and includes a Traction Control System (TCS) to enhance the handling and performance of the RX-8 under adverse driving conditions. FRONT MID-ENGINE REAR ENGINE If you demand undiluted acceleration and control, theres an RX-8 that serves up a shortthrow 6-speed manual gearbox, lightweight carbon-fiber driveshaft and a sky-high 9000rpm redline. Or, for both convenience and fun, consider an RX-8 equipped with a 6-speed Sport AT automatic transmission that also offers manual shifting plus a 7500-rpm redline To minimize powertrain twisting and wasted power, both models also utilize a Power Plant Frame (PPF) that marries engine, transmission and differential into a single, super-rigid unit 50% 50% V6 ENGINE High Polar Moment RENESIS ROTARY Low Polar Moment RENESIS ROTARY V6 ENGINE . . EXEMPLARY HANDLING is also achieved by positioning much of the mass, including powertrain and fuel tank, near the center point of the RX-8. This gives the RX-8 a lowpolar-moment-of-yaw inertia, making it highly responsive to changes in direction left or right. Cars with widely distributed mass have a high-polar-moment-of-yaw inertia and tend to be less responsive and harder to control. WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION significantly impacts a sports cars stability and handling. So the RX-8 is engineered to maintain an approximate 50:50 weight distribution, front to rear, regardless of passenger load. The end result is a remarkably agile, well-balanced design. THE ROTARY ENGINE contributes to the superb performance and crisp, agile handling of the RX-8 in several crucial ways. Lighter and more compact than piston engines of comparable power, the rotary delivers an impressive powerto-weight ratio for spirited acceleration. And its compact design allows it to be placed lower and well behind the front axle. This helps lower the centerofgravity,enhancingthesportscarsoverall balance, stability and agility. THANKS TO MAZDA ROTARY TECHNOLOGY, form beautifully follows function. The relatively compact size and light weight of the rotary engine enabled Mazda engineers to create a rigid chassis and ingenious cabin design for the RX-8 that accommodates four full-size adults. And all within dimensions virtually identical to a Porsche 911. Assertively concealed under the aluminum hood of every Mazda RX-8 is a hand-assembled RENESIS rotary engine thats so advanced, it has no cylinders, pistons or valves just three major moving parts and an outrageously broad powerband. Lighter and more compact than a piston engine of comparable power, the rotarys superior horsepower-to-weight ratio makes it an ideal powerplant for sports cars. Its compact size also pays off in extra cabin room. And even allows the engine to be positioned well behind the front axle endowing the RX-8 with all the handling advantages of an advanced front-mid-engine layout.

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