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Mazda has tweaked its innovative and award-winning RX-8 rotary sports coupe with minor styling changes, as well as a new R3 sports package. The visual upgrades include restyled front and rear bumpers and front fascia, and larger exhaust pipes, which now measure 90mm across.
The RX-8 also now offers a new five-spoke wheel design, featuring a design reminiscent of the rotary engine, with different arrangements for each wheel size. Mazda's engineers have improved the rigidity of the body through the addition of structural reinforcements.
This has been achieved by adding a trapezoidal strut tower bar and enhancing the local rigidity of the front suspension tower areas. The rear suspension geometry has been reconfigured and driveshaft rigidity is improved, lowering noise levels.
The R3 sport package recalls the R1 and R2 packages offered on the mighty third-generation RX-7. It also adds a sport-tuned suspension with Bilstein shock absorbers and front suspension cross-members filled with urethane foam. There are also a rear spoiler, side sills, fog lights and a sporty front bumper.
