The 2005 RX-8 does not sacrifice emissions for power, though. Through improvements to the port design, overlap between the intake and exhaust ports has been eliminated, greatly reducing exhaust emissions, improving fuel economy and allowing the car to meet the strict Bin 5-A Federal emissions classification. The effort made by Mazda engineers to improve emissions is a prime example of the concern for environmental impact maintained throughout the development process.

Mazda RX-8 benefits from placing the powerplant low and far back in the engine bay in what Mazda calls an advanced front-midship layout, which lowers the center of gravity and improves vehicle balance. In addition, the fuel tank is placed ahead of the rear axle, and all seating is within the wheelbase and track of the car. Combined, these factors contribute to a perfect 50/50 vehicle weight distribution, low yaw-inertia movement and superb handling characteristics. With such excellent balance, it is little wonder the RX-8 feels right at home on even the most challenging race tracks or negotiating a tight freeway onramp.



FIT FOR THE TRACK

Mazda RX-8's comfort on the track is not overlooked by the motorsports community. The same RENESIS engine found in production RX-8s is used in the Pro Formula Mazda series, a popular open-wheel racing format run on the nation's most demanding race tracks. Pro Formula Mazda is widely regarded as a training ground for developing drivers looking to build a career in motorsports. That this popular series uses a showroom-stock, non-modified RENESIS engine is a testament to the power, reliability and light weight of Mazda RX-8 powerplant.

Mazda RX-8 also campaigns in the Grand American Road Racing Association's Grand Am Cup Sports Touring division. The Sports Touring division consists of production cars driven straight from the showroom to the race track with limited racing modification. Here, the superb handling characteristics and near-bulletproof RENESIS engine already have taken Mazda RX-8 to victory circle twice in 2004, and all indications point to return visits.



SUSPENSION AND STEERING

Mazda RX-8 uses a newly developed aluminum double-wishbone front suspension, reducing unsprung weight over the use of steel components. By mounting the upper and lower arms on a highly rigid sub-frame, the long arms ensure linear alignment changes throughout the jounce and rebound of the front wheels. All wheels receive mono-tube gas-filled shock absorbers designed with large-diameter internal pistons and valving, which offer excellent road feedback and a smooth ride.

An electric-assist rack-and-pinion power-steering system transmits just the right amount of road information back to the driver. Mazda engineers have chosen to pursue their own path by using an electric motor for steering assistance - rather than a conventional power-steering pump. The electric motor provides additional assistance at low speeds to ease parking and reduces steering assistance at higher speeds to provide greater road feel, responsiveness and feedback.



STYLING

The trend of innovation in the engine bay and suspension continues to Mazda RX-8's styling with a unique "freestyle" four-door design. Mazda has broken the notion of sports cars as cramped coupes by effectively demonstrating that a true sports car does not need to sacrifice space or convenience. With ample passenger room for four full-size adults and enough trunk space for a weekend's worth of luggage or two full-size golf bags, a new era of sports car design has arrived.

The RX-8's body shell, due to the advanced design of the rear-hinged rear "freestyle" doors, provides a large door opening (front doors open to 67 degrees and rears open to a near-perpendicular 80 degrees), making for easy adult-sized ingress and egress. This also is advantageous when securing a baby or small child in the back seat.

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