The Hyperlogos

The RX-8 is a newly-designed [sports car] being introduced in [2003] by [Mazda] to supersede the [Mazda RX-7]. It is a [front-engine], [rear wheel drive] car featuring a [naturally aspirated] [rotary engine]. Mazda's RX-8 is based on the [1999] [RX-EVOLV] [concept car], which also featured the [four door] design, and had a similar appearance.

THE BASICS

The car is 170.3 [in.] long, 52.0 in. tall, and 70.1 in. wide. It has four doors, set up as [suicide doors], meaning that the front doors swing forwards, and the rear doors swing backwards. In addition, there is no center [pillar] between the doors. Mazda refers to this, plus the fact that the front doors pop out before [pivoting] forward, as the "[Freestyle Door System]". Rear doors open to a ninety degree [angle] to provide easier [rear access]. This arrangement is similar to the [Saturn] [coupe]'s rear door.

The center-pillarless design is made possible by the inclusion of a high and strong center tunnel down the middle of the car, which should act in the same way as the [backbone chassis] of some [Lotus] automobiles. [Side impact protection] is accounted for with a [pillar] built into the doors themselves, which may also have something to do with the ridigity of the vehicle.

ENGINE

The RX-8's engine, Mazda's latest rotary, is known as [RENESIS]. This [Wankel Rotary Engine] is naturally aspirated but still manages to produce 250 HP @ 8500 RPM, in spite of the fact that it has only 1.3 liters of [displacement]. The motor is based on a [side-port], two [rotor] design. Having the [intake] and [exhaust] [ports] in the side housing of the motor eliminates the overlap between the opening of the intake and exhaust ports and dramatically decreases restriction, which improves the engine's [efficiency]. In addition, the intake ports are 30% larger than previous models. The engine is only 13.3 inches tall, the same height as the transmission, allowing it to be mounted 2.4 inches further towards the rear, and 1.6 inches lower than the engine in the latest model [RX-7]. Power is carried from the transmission to the differential via a [carbon fiber] drive shaft which minimizes both weight (as a [steel] drive shaft is very heavy) and rotational [inertia] which improves (decreases) the time in which the engine "revs" up to speed.

Some of the most vital RX-EVOLV Statistics:

                      Automatic         Manual
--------------------------------------------------------
Net Horsepower        210@7200rpm       250@8500rpm
Net Torque            164@5000rpm       159@5500rpm
Redline               7500rpm           9000rpm
EPA Mileage City      20.3mpg           20.4mpg
EPA Mileage Highway   31.6mpg           30.2mpg

Displacement                    1.3 liters
Compression Ratio                 10.3:1
Fuel Injection             Multi-Port (Sequential)

SUSPENSION

The RX-8's front suspension is a [double wishbone] setup, with a [multilink] at rear. The space saved by using this setup allows the stock eighteen inch wheels. Using the larger wheels allows a tire with a shorter sidewall, cutting down on sidewall flex and increasing the firmness of the car's grip on the road.

OPTION PACKAGES

The RX-8 can be delivered with (or without) one of three options packages: Sports, Touring, and [Grand Touring] ([GT]). All three of these packages give the version with the automatic transmission four things that the base model of the manual has: [LSD] or [limited slip] [differential], 18" wheels, larger brakes, and a "sport tuned suspension", which generally means harder [spring]s, stiffer [shock absorber]s, and sometimes increased-size [sway bar]s.

The Sports package also gives both cars [Xenon] [headlight]s, [traction control], and [fog lamp]s. The Touring package further adds a [bose] sound system, auto day/night mirror, and a [moonroof]. The Grand Touring package further includes [leather] trimmed upholstery, [faux] leather door trim, 6-way power driver's seat, heated seats, and seats with [lumbar] support.

With [fifty-fifty] [weight] [distribution], a low [CG], and 250 horsepower, this descendent of the [Mazda] [RX-7], one of the most popular and successful small sports cars of all time, is a truly [formidable] addition to the highways and backroads of [Earth].

References:

1. Website: www.[Howstuffworks.com], [North American International Auto Show] [2001] (http://www.howstuffworks.com/naias200122.htm)
2. Website: RX-8.com - Information site on the Mazda RX-8! (http://www.rx-8.com)
3. Website: cardesignnews, [Tokyo Motor Show] [2001] - Highlights(http://www.cardesignnews.com/autoshows/2001/tokyo/highlights/h02-mazda-rx8.html)
4. Website: [Ford] Motor Company, Mazda RX-8 (http://www.ford.com/en/ourVehicles/autoShows/detroit2002/vehicles/mazda/mazdaRX8/default.htm)
5. Mazda RX-8 Features and Specs. [Mazda], 2003. (http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/displayPage.action?pageParameter=rx8SpecsHTML&flash=2)