Mazda’s rotary powered rocket, the RX-8, has been given a few updates by the Japanese automaker in order to keep their sports car current and a bit more user friendly. The four-door, four-passenger sport compact has received rain-sensing windshield wipers, Mazda’s auto-light system and an audio-less option, all standard. However the most striking of the recent upgrades comes in the form of two new color choices for the exterior: Aluminum Metallic and Metropolitan Gray Mica.
Mazda has left the lovable 13B alone; the two-rotor motor still makes 232 HP in manually shifter vehicles. However, we are still awaiting word of a turbocharger.
Press release after the jump.
Press release
Mazda Motor Corporation has added fresh features to the four-door, four-seat rotary-powered Mazda RX-8 sports car for the Japanese market. The updated models go on sale today at all Mazda and Mazda Anfini dealers nationwide.
Standard equipment across the entire RX-8 range has been updated with popular features that provide added comfort and convenience. The updates include rain-sensing windshield wipers and Mazda’s auto-light system (which switches the headlights on automatically according to ambient light conditions). Two additional exterior body colors, silver and gray, reflect the RX-8’s high quality and accentuate its exceptional sports car styling.
Main features of the freshened Mazda RX-8
- Rain-sensing windshield wipers, auto-light system, water-repellent coating (on the front door windows and door mirrors) and Mazda’s advanced keyless entry and engine start system now come as standard equipment on all model grades.
- The addition of two new body colors – Aluminum Metallic and Metropolitan Gray Mica – brings the available exterior range to seven colors.
- Revised model grade lineup (base model was renamed Type G).
- Audio-less specification standard for all model grades (to best match each driver’s needs, the space for a head unit in the center panel is left open. The Audio-less spec allows for a variety of audio systems).