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MAZDA RX8 2008 review.

First launched in 2003, the Mazda RX-8 series unveils the 2009 model at the 2008 North American International Auto Show. Mazda hopes it that the RX-8’s refreshed exterior and interior design, enhanced performance, and a new R3 sport package will further the evolution of the four-door, four-seater sports coupe. The 2009 model features Mazda’s twin-rotor “RENESIS (Rotary Engine genesis – or rebirth of the rotary engine)” rotary engine.

First launched in 2003, the Mazda RX-8 series unveils the 2009 model at the 2008 North American International Auto Show. Mazda hopes it that the RX-8’s refreshed exterior and interior design, enhanced performance, and a new R3 sport package will further the evolution of the four-door, four-seater sports coupe. The 2009 model features Mazda’s twin-rotor “RENESIS (Rotary Engine genesis – or rebirth of the rotary engine)” rotary engine.

“Every sports car ever developed by Mazda has had the same fundamental mission – to provide car lovers with a vehicle that’s fun to drive, exciting to look at and easy to own,” said Tetsu Nakazawa, Mazda North American Operations’ RX-8 vehicle line manager. For 2009’s RX-8, Mazda engineers focused on innovation in three key areas: styling, performance and packaging.

The 2009 RX-8 includes restyled front and rear bumpers and front fascia; sporty, high quality finish front and rear headlamps; and larger exhaust pipes (now measuring 90 mm across). It also offers a new five-spoke wheel design featuring a design reminiscent of the rotary engine, with different arrangements for each wheel size.

The RX-8’s unique “freestyle” four-door design is evidence, according to Nakazawa and Mazda’s design team, that sports cars don’t need to sacrifice space or convenience for performance. “The enhancements made to RX-8’s exterior, interior, packaging and performance takes it to a whole new level of visual and driving excitement,” remarked Nakazawa.