Doors key to RX-8 project

The Mazda RX-8 will go on sale in New Zealand next year. But it seems to have been around for ages. Why?

Mostly because it has remained a concept car in the true sense of the word, says Mazda.

It first appeared as a concept called the RX-Evolv at the Tokyo motor show in 1999.

Mazda admitted it had no plans to build it, that it was simple a study vehicle.

But things moved quickly and the project got the green light. Mazda was then faced with engineering substantial changes into the vehicle. The main cause of the delay from concept to production was the time it took to re-engineer the "suicide" rear-hinged rear doors to meet international side-impact safety standards.

Mazda says side-crash rigidity in the RX-8 is as good as a sedan of similar size, thanks to integrated side beams, locking pins and latches.

The inside of the production car reveals a cramped rear seat with enough room for two adults.

But the only way in and out for the rear occupants is with the front seats tilted forward.

Try getting in the rear with the front seats in the upright position and things become difficult, say first drive reports. The layout of the dash is similar to that of the Mazda6. The RX-8 has a rev counter in the centre of the instrument panel but doesn't come with a traditional analogue speedo. A digital readout keeps the driver in touch with the car's speed. Mazda admits an analogue speedo is one of the first items on the facelift list for 2004. Two high-revving rotary engine options are expected to be offered next year. The Hi-power version produces 184kW at 8500rpm and 216Nm of torque at 5500rpm and is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox.

The Standard-power unit comes with a four-speed automatic and produces 154kW at 7200rpm and 222Nm of torque at 5000rpm.

Reports say the 1.3-litre twin-rotor engine delivers progressive acceleration provided it is kept bubbling above 4000rpm.

It comes to life around 6000rpm and stays on the boil all the way to the redline of 9000rpm. However, low-down torque is said to be unimpressive.

The suspension system in the RX-8 consists of double-wishbones at the front and a new five-link arrangement in the rear.