Dear rotary enthusiasts,

I have found an article in "Marca Motor" (a Spanish magazine) stating that the new RX8 will be unveiled at Detroit motor Show.

The article shows the Nagare concept and the text (in Spanish) is pretty short and just says what it is written in the title of this thread.

Link to article:

http://www.superimagehosting.com/viewer.php?id=cqs1166729470p.jpg

I found the article very poor, but probably that is because as a rotary enthusiast I expect all the news about RX´s to be at top level.

Let us see if what the article says becomes truth.

Regards

jird20

dont hold your breath bro

no one knows, mazda is very tide lip at the moment, people that use to be good source of info are completly silent :mad:

Dear rotary enthusiasts,

I have found an article in "Marca Motor" (a Spanish magazine) stating that the new RX8 will be unveiled at Detroit motor Show.

The article shows the Nagare concept and the text (in Spanish) is pretty short and just says what it is written in the title of this thread.

Link to article:

http://www.superimagehosting.com/viewer.php?id=cqs1166729470p.jpg

I found the article very poor, but probably that is because as a rotary enthusiast I expect all the news about RX´s to be at top level.

Let us see if what the article says becomes truth.

Regards

jird20


It'll probably be a concept based on the photo.

If it is that, the resale values of current 8s will rise dramatically.

One day I'll visit Spain....one day, my Grandfather was born there and came to Cuba when he was very young.

ANYWAYZZZZZ...

It sure looks futuristic (the Nageene03493049 what ever), but yeah I think all of us RX8ers have grown tired of the wait, and prefer to be bitter old fogies when it comes to RX8 "News".

LOL, we shall see...

Looks Very Weak And Misleading, Anyone Want To Transalte That Into English?

I'm dissapointed already...is that bad!?

i don't think so...

isn't that Ash8's avi?


pssst . . . there's a new 8 coming out . . . pass it on.

I'm dissapointed already...is that bad!?
Oh, this guy knows what's up, He's like a genius or something....I'm with him^^..... :suspect:

That is so friggin ugly. Don't get me wrong I am all into futuristic cars but that thing is just hideous.

Looks like a chicks vibrator.

Fellow Rotor heads,What this article is saying is that the RX8 of the future,will have to wait,Sassou,Senku,Kabura and Nagare, Mazda again opens a can of worms with this concept based on on its Lines and round contours. It may be the RX8 of the future,but it will have to wait,because the new production RX8 is aroud the corner, And It will unveil in Detroit.

Geez, when they created the artwork they could have at least centered the Mazda emblem in the left front wheel.

The new Ford grille is disgusting. Otherwise looks like the other sketches that have been released.

Of course if anything would increase the demand for the current RX8, that beast would.

New colors?

That car (Nagare) is what the whole next gen Mazda line is to be based on. It is not what the new RX-8 is going to be.

The whole concept of the Nagare was to show motion while the car was not even moving. All Mazda's are to be based off that design.

Next time go to Mazda North America's website and you would find this:


After presenting three ground-breaking concept vehicles during the 2005-2006 global auto show season – Sassou, Senku and the Kabura, which won Detroit Motor Show’s esteemed Aesthetics and Innovation Award at the 2006 North American International Auto Show – the 2007-2008 Auto Show Season continues to keep energy levels brimming with the introduction of Mazda’s design and surface language for future Zoom-Zoom vehicles. The new surface language called Nagare (pronounced “na-ga-reh”) was revealed at this year’s Greater Los Angeles International Auto Show and is the first of a series of design concepts that Mazda will showcase this global auto show season, including Los Angeles, Detroit, Geneva and Tokyo.

Under the direction of Mazda’s new global design director, Laurens van den Acker, the challenge given to the team was to invent a novel means of registering motion in vehicles whether they’re moving or still. Nagare, which means flow in Japanese, achieves that goal while also signaling a fresh design direction for future Mazda vehicles.

Franz von Holzhausen, Mazda North American Operations’ (MNAO) Director of Design, and the man responsible for leading the US-based design team, which developed this vehicle, explains, “We’re looking well down the road with Nagare. We want to suggest where Mazda design will be in 2020. To do that, we redefined basic proportions and the idea of driving without losing the emotional involvement. Mazda’s driving spirit will be enhanced and intensified by Nagare.

The current issue of Car & Driver has the Nagare on the cover. Inside it states that MNAO Director of Design, Holzhausen, says the first new vehicle to display Nagare cues will be in 2008.

C&D speculates an RX vehicle of some kind, RX-3, RX-7 or new RX-8.

A new RX-8 is to be expected in 2009, last I heard. We still have a couple of years wait. It was mentioned in the Aussie forum I believe.

they forgot the doors... :wallbash:

:rollingla

It's a futuristic machine, man. You just de-materialize and then re-materialize inside. duh.

I saw this car at the LA Auto show a few weeks ago. I also saw it on CNBC (Behind the Wheel). It's called the Nagre Concept Both times, Mazda stated this this is only a vision of new mazda's to come. Say around 2020. No indication on model's or production dates. You can read more on it from Automobile.com

http://car-reviews.automobile.com/Mazda/concept/2006-mazda-nagare-concept/2221/





Dear rotary enthusiasts,

I have found an article in "Marca Motor" (a Spanish magazine) stating that the new RX8 will be unveiled at Detroit motor Show.

The article shows the Nagare concept and the text (in Spanish) is pretty short and just says what it is written in the title of this thread.

Link to article:

http://www.superimagehosting.com/viewer.php?id=cqs1166729470p.jpg

I found the article very poor, but probably that is because as a rotary enthusiast I expect all the news about RX´s to be at top level.

Let us see if what the article says becomes truth.

Regards

jird20
http://car-reviews.automobile.com/Mazda/concept/2006-mazda-nagare-concept/2221/

That is the uglisest friggan thing I have ever seen.
Why are concept cars soo damn ugly for?

:rollingla

It's a futuristic machine, man. You just de-materialize and then re-materialize inside. duh.

Beam me IN Scotty!!!!

That is the uglisest friggan thing I have ever seen.
Why are concept cars soo damn ugly for?
becasue they are unrfined and the design is pushed way past the norm, that way when the fine details and design shape is brought to a reality it is some what more then normal. this process works the same in architecture and i am sure n many other design orienated professions.

Beam me IN Scotty!!!!

No, you walk up and say:

"Open the pod bay door please, Hal"

No, you walk up and say:

"Open the pod bay door please, Hal"
I'm still waiting for the "Massage lower back, medium speed, high strength". The new S-class already has it (then again... they're the first for everything).

Pole with extension to clean dash should be standard. Sell this thing to a cheap sci-fi producer and move on.

Read THIS (http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=104354&highlight=nagare) and use the link on the thread. This is all old news.

Dear rotary enthusiasts,

I have found an article in "Marca Motor" (a Spanish magazine) stating that the new RX8 will be unveiled at Detroit motor Show.

The article shows the Nagare concept and the text (in Spanish) is pretty short and just says what it is written in the title of this thread.

Link to article:

http://www.superimagehosting.com/viewer.php?id=cqs1166729470p.jpg

I found the article very poor, but probably that is because as a rotary enthusiast I expect all the news about RX´s to be at top level.

Let us see if what the article says becomes truth.

Regards

jird20


For Mazda's sake, I hope that concept car does not go far. In my book it looks like a hyped up Honda Civic and sucks dirt. Must be the Ford influence thats making the concept car vision suck.

isn't that Ash8's avi?


pssst . . . there's a new 8 coming out . . . pass it on.

:rock: Give that man a prize...come on down... :)

Yes our Spanish mate..its just a concept, does not even have a donk (motor) asaik...

New RX-8, I doubt it...this one (FE) still has at least 3-4 years to go...

Read THIS (http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=104354&highlight=nagare) and use the link on the thread. This is all old news.

Dear Easy_E1,

Although the f*gly Nagare is shown, the article states that the NEW RX-8 is to be unveiled at Detroit Motor Show.

I personally hope that future RX-8 generations have nothing to do with such a concept.

Let us see what is really shown at Detroit soon...

jird20

I just realised what Nagare makes me think of: Something from Buick. I think it's the effect of the big mouth look with eyes very separated (Not a good look). That chrome grille is the worst part of the design. It seems they may have already gotten rid of it for their next concept vehicle.

Flux capacitor and cold fusion reactor are options.

:rock: Give that man a prize...come on down... :)

Yes our Spanish mate..its just a concept, does not even have a donk (motor) asaik...

New RX-8, I doubt it...this one (FE) still has at least 3-4 years to go...
You seriously have a thick head, don't you?
It's SE3P

FE :rollingla:

anyone planning on visiting the event at Detroit?

http://www.naias.com/SubPage.aspx?id=598

I am still curious to see the "truth" about the new RX8 :fingersx:
Cheers

jird20

You seriously have a thick head, don't you?
It's SE3P

In fairness though isn't FE part of the VIN?

Looks like this new 8 maybe hydrogen powered. Hmmnn... Maybe they will surprise us at least with an electric assist turbo from years ago. Cant remember exactly how they had that setup. We'll all find out here in a few days.

http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?p=1684717#post1684717

In fairness though isn't FE part of the VIN?In the US.

In the US.

O. Then it's SE then.

i really hope that doesnt end up being the new rx8 I would definately much rather prefer the Kabura design seing how it is th closest concept to the 8 and hell, it looks like alot of fun to drive that one. If they release the kabura as the new 8 they could finally slap on a turbo or super and call it the mazdaspeed rx-8

Chrome grill! - Got to be an American thing.....

Look chromed grills are lovely on Eldorados and big finned cars like GM used to make - but an 8 with a chrome grill hurts - it's like putting braces on a pretty girl - a front screen, subtle, placed a little back for invisablity fine - but stick to stuff that looks like old Lotus, early porsche, and early corvette design... flow, curves, anything but square boxes with chrome teeth!

You lost me at early corvette. Anything pre C5 should be burned.

You lost me at early corvette. Anything pre C5 should be burned.

Dude, you think the C5 looks better than, say, a '65 split-window coupe? http://www.cookiescorvettes.com/cars/65corvettecoupe_bl.html or a '63 http://www.seriouswheels.com/1960-1969/1963-Chevrolet-Corvette-Split-Window-Coupe-Red-RA.htm


:eyetwitch

Yup - the oldies are the nicest vettes. 63 was the split window. My personal favorite. Tho I'd take any of the late 60 models w/the big block.

This is what they showed... no mention of the new '8


http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/01/mazda_ryuga002.jpg http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/01/mazda_ryuga003.jpg http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/01/mazda_ryuga007.jpg http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/01/mazda_ryuga006.jpg http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/01/mazda_ryuga023.jpg http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/01/mazda_ryuga024.jpg http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/01/mazda_ryuga004.jpg http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/01/mazda_ryuga015.jpg http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/01/mazda_ryuga021.jpg http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/01/mazda_ryuga020.jpg http://images.leftlanenews.com/content/7-2007-mazda-ryuga-concept.jpg

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/01/mazda_ryuga011.jpg
http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/01/mazda_ryuga010.jpg
http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/01/mazda_ryuga013.jpg
http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/01/mazda_ryuga012.jpg
http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/01/mazda_ryuga025.jpg
http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/01/mazda_ryuga005.jpg
http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/01/ryuga-sketch.jpg
http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/01/mazda-ryuga---01.jpg
http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/01/mazda-ryuga---03.jpg
http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/01/mazda-ryuga---22.jpg
http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/01/mazda-ryuga---21.jpg
http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/01/mazda-ryuga---23.jpg
http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/01/mazda-ryuga---05.jpg

Thats just the Ryuga concept......
Nothing to do with the 8

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/01/mazda-ryuga---04.jpg
http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/01/mazda-ryuga---07.jpg
http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/01/mazda-ryuga---17.jpg
http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/01/mazda-ryuga---02.jpg
http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/01/mazda-ryuga---27.jpg
http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/01/mazda-ryuga---24.jpg http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/01/mazda-ryuga---13.jpg http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/01/mazda-ryuga---12.jpg http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/01/mazda-ryuga---10.jpg http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/01/mazda-ryuga---15.jpg http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/01/mazda-ryuga---14.jpg http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/01/mazda-ryuga---11.jpg

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/01/mazda-ryuga---28.jpg http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/01/mazda-ryuga---25.jpg http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/01/mazda-ryuga---29.jpg http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/01/mazda-ryuga---26.jpg http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/01/mazda-ryuga---06.jpg http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/01/mazda-ryuga---09.jpg http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/01/mazda-ryuga---08.jpg http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/01/mazda-ryuga---18.jpg http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/01/mazda-ryuga---30.jpg http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/01/mazda-ryuga---19.jpg http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/01/mazda-ryuga---20.jpg

no sir, i don't like it..

This car looks so allien and futuristic. I love it.


The lines and details of this concept are truly amazing. You can tell there was a lot of thought and certainly an equal amount of emotion invovled in developing this vehicle.


As much as I like and would love to see it on the streets, I don't think the American public is quite ready for a design this progressive. Maybe in another 7 years.

Mazda is definitely pushing the envelope and I applaud them. They are certainly designing cars that don't appeal to average Joe Sixpack. I love the bold stance Mazda's design team have made and hope they continue to make great looking cars.

I see ZZ Top new album cover.

"Ey Captain ,she's a beauty" I like the look they are going with and if they turn this into an RX-8 I would buy it in a heartbeat. Flex fuel and all. I feel they will use some design hints in the redesign of the RX-8. But as to a copy of this in production, I think it is a long way down the road.
The doors would'nt work in my garage or most other peoples.
I think Mazda is just putting out ideas for style hints that show where the company is taking the cars they make for the future.
"I think she's SEXY"

She might be sexy but...

not rotary powered: See the tachometer. It just shows 7000 rpm

So sad about this :sad: No new RX-8 unveiled at Detroit. Just another concept car.

jird20

with what Im hearing I thing this is the rx-8, of course is going to change a lot before production

http://rotarynews.com/node/view/877

I like the kabura concept better :mad:

but this would make a great cosmo!

I am thinking I see a 7500 rpm tach as a redline. Which is the Redline on the AT. Also it is showing Premium by the fuel filler. I haven't found where it say's what engine it has in it yet. I might get my hopes just a bit more.

I am thinking I see a 7500 rpm tach as a redline. Which is the Redline on the AT. Also it is showing Premium by the fuel filler. I haven't found where it say's what engine it has in it yet. I might get my hopes just a bit more.

Not just premium but E85/Premium. It says flex fuel on the filler as well. It might have something that will test the fuel and run the car according to what it has. So it ocudl have both and E85 econo mode and a premium race mode. That's totally speculation though

I cant help but look at this thing and think COSMO, think about it, the jc cosmo was a car to show what mazda could achive as a company, it was extremly advance for its time

ALL MAZDA SHOULD DO NOW IS DROP A 3 ROTOR RENESIS IN THERE!!!!! :rock:

:mdrmed:

looks like Wolverine got his nails into the design of this one...so this makes two cars brought to you by Xmen.

^^ LOL

With the millions that Mazda wastes in funky concept cars that will never come true, they should have invested it into mid-model changes for their current products. I suspect there are no minor changes for the 2008 RX8?

^Big changes. If you consider "discontinued" as a change. :rock:

Pistons - yuk

When are they going to learn we don't want that E85 crap?

^Big changes. If you consider "discontinued" as a change. :rock:

Has Mazda made it official to discontinue the RX-8? (Or rotary engine in general) I apologize if there's already a thread on this.

Most Japanese car companies run a 3/5 program life. Toyota for example, launches a new design vehicle and then makes small cosmetic or powerplant changes after the third year of production. The changes may be different tail lights, headlights, bumper shape, mirrors, option packages, tweaks to the power or transmission, etc.. (Just curious if Mazda does the same thing for midmodel vehicles.)

Mazda & Subaru both make weird looking cars.

One difference is that Mazda's weird is gorgeous, whereas Subi's weird is fug-lee.

The other difference is that Subarus (STi) are fast, but Mazdas are slow (except for the FD).

Now, if Mazda ever gets a ticket to the clue train (or successfully pushes back on FoMoCo so they can make a car as fast or faster than the shite Mustang), they'll have the 'go' to match their 'show'.

Then again, never underestimate the power of Ford's sales prevention team !!!

I want that Gullwing on a production car, NOW

Ryuga? Is this car sponsored by Street Fighter?

I haven't figured out yet if I love it or hate it. There's no gray area with a freak of nature like this thing.


EDIT: After further thought, :puke:

Has Mazda made it official to discontinue the RX-8? (Or rotary engine in general)

No they have not. It's the exact same thing people have been saying from day one. This time the year is apparently 2008. If they keep saying this, one day it will come true. Mazda has comitted to the rotary for a long time to come. Whether or not it's in an RX-8 is another story but at least we'll still have a rotary.

^^
RG is right on...

Mazda Japan (Domestic) have been selling a rotary powered vehicle for the last 40 years in some form, thats year after every year, the FD RX-7 was still on sale in Japan in 2002/3 then the FE RX-8 in 2003 onwards...

The 8 still has at least 3-4 years before we see ANY major change in body/powertrain....my guess is later this year you will see a "face-lift" FE RX-8 for 2008 MY.

Whether its an FF RX-8 or FG RX-8 the rotary will continue in some form for years to come.

i want one of these concept cars to own. what do they do with them anyway, crush them? what a shame.

I am too young to remember, but did the FD RX-7 crowds complained about lack of changes years after years? but that'd be in Japan only..
________
Classaction settlements (http://classactionsettlements.org/)

I am too young to remember, but did the FD RX-7 crowds complained about lack of changes years after years? but that'd be in Japan only..

I dunno. But at least the FD wasn't underpowered !

There have been lots of false reports from the Spanish source.

Truth!!!

A shame... :mad:

jird20

I am too young to remember, but did the FD RX-7 crowds complained about lack of changes years after years? but that'd be in Japan only..

the FD had 2 changes, 1996 and 1999.

No they have not. It's the exact same thing people have been saying from day one. This time the year is apparently 2008. If they keep saying this, one day it will come true. Mazda has comitted to the rotary for a long time to come. Whether or not it's in an RX-8 is another story but at least we'll still have a rotary.

hehe. Yup, this describes me. After only a year or so here I'm already jaded when it comes to the constant rumor mill of "the new 8 comes out soon +/- the 8 will be disco'd". So I just talk shit, and generally be a wisearse. Your welcome for the misinformation!!

:eek: Mazda JUST announced the Mazda MX-8. This will feature the new Ford developed 3.5L V6. Power rating will be around 250-265hp. It will continue to use the 6speed manual and automatic transmission. Suspension characteristics have been revised, chassis stiffining and engine placement for a neutral balance. :bowdown:

:eek: Mazda JUST announced the Mazda MX-8. This will feature the new Ford developed 3.5L V6. Power rating will be around 250-265hp. It will continue to use the 6speed manual and automatic transmission. Suspension characteristics have been revised, chassis stiffining and engine placement for a neutral balance. :bowdown:

still no rotary tho :mad:

:eek: Mazda JUST announced the Mazda MX-8. This will feature the new Ford developed 3.5L V6. Power rating will be around 250-265hp. It will continue to use the 6speed manual and automatic transmission. Suspension characteristics have been revised, chassis stiffining and engine placement for a neutral balance. :bowdown:

Mazda MX-8 ? What's that ? :)

Has Mazda made it official to discontinue the RX-8? (Or rotary engine in general) I apologize if there's already a thread on this. , Nope quite the opposite. Mazda has said it will always have a rotary powered vehicle as part of the line up.

Most Japanese car companies run a 3/5 program life. Toyota for example, launches a new design vehicle and then makes small cosmetic or powerplant changes after the third year of production. The changes may be different tail lights, headlights, bumper shape, mirrors, option packages, tweaks to the power or transmission, etc.. (Just curious if Mazda does the same thing for midmodel vehicles.)
Normally for Mazda Rotary powered cars it was a 4/8 cycle, with the RX-8 overdue for a change (as it was first sold in 03).

i actually see a whole lot more activities on the rotary R&D nowadays than in the dark ages of mid-to-late 90's when the JDM FD was the only thing that kept the rotary spinning in Mazda.

Normally for Mazda Rotary powered cars it was a 4/8 cycle, with the RX-8 overdue for a change (as it was first sold in 03).[/QUOTE]


it was mid 2003 when first sold as an 04. So the update is NOT due until mid 2007 as an 08 model.

Normally for Mazda Rotary powered cars it was a 4/8 cycle, with the RX-8 overdue for a change (as it was first sold in 03).


it was mid 2003 when first sold as an 04. So the update is NOT due until mid 2007 as an 08 model.
Yeah, I know a lot of 04 owners that think that way.

Let me explain further, so the 04 owners don't get their panties in a bunch.

Lets use the FC (2nd gen RX-7 for the clueless to the rotary heritage people) as an example:

Originally sold as a 1986 model in the states, production started and sold as a 85 in Japan. Model refreshed style and minor power tweeks in 89.

So based on that same history, FE (or SE3P- by those that can't read their VIN or don't understand that "S" and "F" are interchangable on Rotary Vehicles) Sold as a 04 in the states, started production and sold as a 03 in Japan in late 02/early 03.

So based on that, the style change normally would have been due for the 07 model year.

Now the FD, didn't exactly follow the same thing... but that was more sales driven. The FD originally built in late 91 and sold as a 92 model in Japan, was sold as a 93 in the US, didn't get it's re-style until 97. So if Mazda is expecting the FE to run on a 10 year life cycle, then the mid-model change won't happen until 5 years in (or 08).

How about this one

hehe. Yup, this describes me. After only a year or so here I'm already jaded when it comes to the constant rumor mill of "the new 8 comes out soon +/- the 8 will be disco'd". So I just talk shit, and generally be a wisearse. Your welcome for the misinformation!!
LOL!

These concept cars are at least 10 years away if you read what it says on Mazda's concept car pages.

That pic just reminded me how much I like the Kubara. What a good looking car!

Sold as a 04 in the states, started production and sold as a 03 in Japan in late 02/early 03.

.

RX-8s were fist sold and delivered to owners in Japan late in April of 2003. Job 1 for Japanese production was at the end of February of 2003. US production Job 1 was March 17th 2003.

http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?p=42460&highlight=owner+japan#post42460

http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=4089&highlight=owner+japan