Does anyone know if the US is getting automatic climate control? There has been some disscusion about this but no real conclusion.

It should be standard, or at least included in the GT package. The Mazda 6s with an MSRP of $21740 includes automatic climate control, so why would the $27200+ RX-8 not have it? Then again, the BOSE package for the 6 includes the 6Disc changer, and the Rx-8's doesn't. Hmm... starting to sound like the RX-8 is not getting a lot of components standard which the 6 does. This doesn't make sense since they look designed to be shared with the 6. Even the difference in standard components between countries is making me wonder. Japan has auto climate control. Seems like the US is getting the shaft.

how automatic is the automatic climate control? to me, automatic climate control would be to press the up and down buttons to adjust the temperature in the car and keep it at that temperature...but while looking at the controls, i noticed 2 dials at the bottom: 1 to control how cold or hot (as depicted by red and blue zones) and 1 to adjust amount of air (1 - 5 i believe)...with this configuration, it doesn't seem like the climate control is automatic...also, if you look at the red LCD screen, to the very right it does show a temperature...but the RX-8 detects "outside ambient temperature" so that number may just be for outside temperatures (i read this standard option in the brochure)...

The "amount of air" dial only comes into effect if you switch the climate control off and revert to manual control. The system seems to work ok but it's hard for me to judge as my wife and I are always arguing about what temperature to have it in the car! I noticed in the manual that the back seat passengers get some air from under the front seats.

People seem to differ on this, but I actually prefer non-auto climate control. All the auto systems I've used don't do what I want them to do. They aren't bad, but I'd just as well adjust the fan and temperature myself. Admittedly, there's only 3-4 auto climate systems I've had longish exposure to, so maybe they're just bad systems.

For those who don't know, here are photos of the different controls.

Automatic

Manual

JSG, which do you have?

I have the first of the two you posted. It's pretty self explanatory. The mode button steps through the different places the air can come out, showing you on a display next to the temperature on the display at the top of the centre console. The buttons on the left and right of that control the front and rear demisting. In climate control A/C is on but can be switched off in manual. Bottom button is where air comes from (inside/outside). Push the right button to switch on climate, push the left to switch it off.

The new 8 brochure shows an interior picture with the manual.

Originally posted by mx32mpsrx8
Manual BTW, am I the only one who thinks Mazda blew a really cool chance here to make these knobs rotor-shaped as well?

Originally posted by BillK
BTW, am I the only one who thinks Mazda blew a really cool chance here to make these knobs rotor-shaped as well?

Watta goooood point. Why the heck? THIS would have been nice indeed! I didn't think about this before, too.

BTW, am I the only one who thinks Mazda blew a really cool chance here to make these knobs rotor-shaped as well?

Rotor shaped knobs may not have flowed with the rest of the dash...or might have been overkill. It's like saying why didn't Mazda make the air vents rotor shaped? Or the instument guage cluster? I think the rotor accents they already added are awesome; they're definitely noticable without being overkill. JMO.

"rotor accents" are just that, no point ramming the rotor shape down the occupants throats everywhere they look, have some sublty.

JSG you say the internal/external switch controls AC on/off?

Can you have normal (external/internal) without the AC on?

Originally posted by RobDickinson
"rotor accents" are just that, no point ramming the rotor shape down the occupants throats everywhere they look, have some sublty.
True, but the twin knobs of the climate control just look like they're crying out to be rotor shaped (especially as a point of each rotor could be used as a position indicator...)

The automatic climate control must be available in the USA, either as standard or as part of the GT package.
My reasoning is thus:
Automatic climate control exists in Japan, therefore Mazda produces it. It is not listed as a separate option (like the CD changer, NAV etc) therefore it must be available in the USA without being an port or dealer option. Probably an undocumented part of the GT package as a standard AC system also exists.

I think you'll get climate control as part of the GT package in the US - but that's just my guess.

Rob: on the middle control: top button does AC/on off & bottom button is a rocker switch (left and right) to control where the air comes from (outside or recirc)

We don't get the white in the US either so I wouldn't be positive that we would get the Automatic climate control.

I think there is a 50% chance that just GT people are going to get it. They get heated mirrors and heated seats - why not auto climate control?

But don't be mad if it doesn't, it clearly says in the printable spec sheet that the climate control is "manual" and standard that way for all trim models.

-Mr. Wigggles

To let everyone know, it's final. From the book, "The climate control system for North America is a logic-control type; Europeans get a fully automatic system."

All I can say is "WTF!?!"

I don't understand this at all. Once again, Europe and Japan get Automatic Climate Control... The Mazda 6 has it.... Pretty much any new car over $25k has it... WTF? All the cars that Mazda compares it against have it. The RX-8 is supposed to be the brand image maker, but has lower quality features then the Mazda 6? Who is the genius that made this decision? I'm pretty ticked off. It's not a deal breaker, but how much more could it have cost them to put it in? Especially since its used elsewhere already. I'm starting to wonder what else we don't get.

Can one of you with contacts at Mazda ask them why we don't get the Automatic Climate Control?

Originally posted by mx32mpsrx8
Can one of you with contacts at Mazda ask them why we don't get the Automatic Climate Control? Because we're perfectly capable of adjusting the controls ourselves? Perhaps they might have included it in the GT package, but I'm happy without it.

It's not about being capable, its about convience and having comparable component levels for the price.

Originally posted by eccles
Because we're perfectly capable of adjusting the controls ourselves? Perhaps they might have included it in the GT package, but I'm happy without it.

I can roll down a window just fine, why do they have to make that power???

Originally posted by VWjet
I can roll down a window just fine, why do they have to make that power???
Given the design of the doors it would probably be more problematic to come up with a functional, crash-worthy manual window design than to just put in a window regulator and a switch...

Originally posted by eccles
Because we're perfectly capable of adjusting the controls ourselves? Perhaps they might have included it in the GT package, but I'm happy without it.

eh, it's a matter of principle now...they get it, we don't...it's a matter of convenience as well...i'd rather set the temperature to a certain level and have the climate control adjust the heat/cold so i don't have to...the new 2003 Accord priced considerably less than the 8 has auto climate control for driver AND passenger...that's just sad...


Originally posted by BillK

Given the design of the doors it would probably be more problematic to come up with a functional, crash-worthy manual window design than to just put in a window regulator and a switch...

i'm pretty sure he was being sarcastic...

This happened with the FC3S (2nd gen RX-7) in 1985 when it was introduced. The Japanese market got the automatic climate control, but this side of the Pacific didn't get it :( I don't see Mazda's reasoning of not including it on the US models. I mean the Mazda6 and the non-North American RX-8's get it, why don't we? Maybe they'll come to their senses and offer it as standard equipment in later model years. That won't help our cars, unforunately.

Originally posted by mx32mpsrx8
To let everyone know, it's final. From the book, "The climate control system for North America is a logic-control type; Europeans get a fully automatic system."

All I can say is "WTF!?!"

...

Was does "logic-control type" mean? It actually sounds better than "fully automatic system". "Logic-control type" is a pretty ridiculous term for "manual" climate control.

-Mr. Wigggles

Originally posted by MrWigggles


Was does "logic-control type" mean? It actually sounds better than "fully automatic system". "Logic-control type" is a pretty ridiculous term for "manual" climate control.

-Mr. Wigggles Yes, we need pictures! :)

Originally posted by Hercules
Yes, we need pictures! :)

Check the first page. Those are the only two climate control systems I have seen in an RX-8. They are similar (i.e. probably minor cosmetic changes) to the manual and auto versions in the 6.

Originally posted by mx32mpsrx8
To let everyone know, it's final. From the book, "The climate control system for North America is a logic-control type; Europeans get a fully automatic system."



I saw that in the book today too. I agree we're getting manual control, although it makes no sense... unless they need some add-ons for the 2005 model.

A friend of mine had a 2002 Mercedes SLK32 AMG - a $57,000 car. Not only did it not have auto climate control, it didn't even come with a single CD player!

So it really isn't that big a deal that the RX-8 doesn't have auto climate control in the States.

Originally posted by jtimbck2
A friend of mine had a 2002 Mercedes SLK32 AMG - a $57,000 car. Not only did it not have auto climate control, it didn't even come with a single CD player!

So it really isn't that big a deal that the RX-8 doesn't have auto climate control in the States.

i think the big deal lies in the fact that other countries will get the auto climate control standard while the US does not, even with the top-of-the-line GT model...it's not even an option...not that it's that important to me either and i doubt i'd spend more than $100 for it, but still...the more 'freebies' they give us the better, i mean you can't honestly say you'd rather not have it...if every country was getting leather seats but yours, i'm sure you'd have something to say about it...in the end it's just the feeling of getting short shafted

Its all about profit margin. Figure the difference between the automatic and the manual is a circuit board, wiring and a temp sensor. Thats probably 100 - 120 dollars to add for the factory. The 6-CD changer is the same way I would guess 250-300 to add at the factory. These are just guess at what it costs Mazda JP which then marks it up for their profit and then Mazda NA marks up before the dealers get their hands on it. It may not seem that much but over thousands of cars it makes a big difference in the bottom line.

In Japan Mazda has to compete on its home turf so they have to produce in direct competition with the other Japanese automakers. Mazda has to maintain its market standing and brand identity.

In the US they have to compete with all the automakers in the US plus imports which includes their parent company Ford. In this case they are forigien car and are treated as such. You have to make good money but not take away from Ford customers.

In Europe I would guess Mazda is trying get a better foot hold then they have. Again they are trying to build brand identity and move their cars into the mainstream.

Since all of this is just opinion it may be totally wrong. It could be as simple as Mazda NA doesn't think a rotary will sell in the US so they are hedging their bet by getting more profit per car just in case the RX-8 falls flat on its face. Maybe if the US had posted stellar numbers of preorders they would be more willing to sacrifice profit. Like I said this is just opinion and somebody may have a different one.