Vancouver

Friday, May 02, 2003

The big-screen release of the blockbuster X2 movie tonight heats up the love affair between showbiz and the carbiz.

In recent years, Bond has flitted back and forth between Aston Martin, BMW and Jaguar, whereas Austin Powers has shared his affections with MINI and Jag, to mention just two screen heroes and their auto preferences.

Now the new Mazda RX-8 plays a role in the next chapter of the hugely popular X-Men motion picture franchise.

As in the case of the other Hollywood/Detroit relationships, it is again a mutually beneficial affair: Both parties have a wonderful opportunity to capture the public's imagination and hawk their wares.

In true superhero fashion, the aggressively styled Mazda RX-8 X-Men Car, based on the production model 2004 Mazda RX-8, possesses its own super powers -- in this case Mazda's 250-h.p. RENESIS rotary engine and unique four-door, four-seat design.

X2 director Bryan Singer (X-Men, The Usual Suspects) worked closely with Mazda on the RX-8 X-Men Car in a unique collaboration to bring the Mazda RX-8 to the big screen with a starring role in the film.

In addition to its special design, the RX-8 X-Men Car is distinguished by its Mutant Blue exterior with aluminum-alloy wheels and front grille, rear spoiler and enlarged trademark "X" badge on the rear decklid.

On the inside, the RX-8 X-Men Car is trimmed in silver and black shades, including the door trim, seats and steering wheel.

A communication device is prominently displayed on the upper centre console. (Check out Pages C2-3 in our entertainment section for the lowdown on the movie today.)

The regular RX-8 -- though I hesitate to describe it that way -- hits the showrooms in July and will be available for those of us who have between $36,795 and $39,595 to shell out.

Rich

Thanks for the article.

Do you know if this is the same news source that had the horrible article on the RX-8 and reliability? I would find it somewhat amusing if it is.

wakeech

uh, i thought that was the Toronto Sun... yeah, it was the Toronto Sun.

Slickvic

My brother saw the movie and told me the RX-8 was only in one small getaway scene. The camera angle and lighting were such that the car was almost unrecognizable except for a brief closeup of the rear of the car. So much for getting the RX-8 into the mainstream before it actually appears in the showroom.

Elara

Slicvic, I think your brother might not have been paying attention during the movie- yeah, it's part wasn't that long, BUT it was very clearly an RX-8- even had a badging shot. Was kinda like a mini-commercial! And if you don't believe me, check out the other threads on this very subject.

neit_jnf

Do you think the engine and exaust sounds were edited? It didn't seem to be the RX-8 sound!

Smoker

neit_jnf,
I'm under the same impression, just doesn't sound like how it is supposed to be. Definitely sound different than the RX-8 in the Best Motoring Videos.

But the scene and the camera angles looks so Car Commerical Like. It was so funny. Its like the director all of a sudden "turn the bridge over" to the Mazda's Market rep.

Like the guys on the C&D Forum said, the only thing missing is having Wolverine, Rogue, Iceman and Pyro going"ZOOOM-ZOOOM-ZOOOOM ! Yea-zoom-zoom-zoom", than we got a true RX-8 commerical.