Mazda releases new RX-8 Special Edition
 

From media.mazda.com

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Mazda Releases RX-8 'Sport Prestige Limited II' Special Edition
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-Evolved RX-8 features upgraded interior & exterior and better driving feel-
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Mazda Motor Corporation today announced the launch of two upgraded versions of its brand icon RX-8 sports car in the Japanese market. The RX-8 Sport Prestige Limited II received various enhancements to bring it to a higher level of quality, and goes on sale in mid-November. In addition, an upgraded version of the standard RX-8 will also be launched today. Both models will be available at Mazda and Mazda Anfini dealerships throughout Japan.

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Mazda RX-8 Sport Prestige Limited II (six-speed manual transmission model)
The RX-8 Sport Prestige Limited II has been enhanced so that occupants can experience a higher quality interior, exterior and great driving feel. It is the next evolution of the popular Sport Prestige Limited 2004 model. The interior features newly designed sand beige-colored seats with mixed alcantara and leather covers. The alcantara is suede-like artificial leather upholstery provided by Toray Industries Inc. Some sand beige-colored material is also used to match with the door trim and front- and rear-console box lids. High-texture materials that evoke a sense of higher quality have been used in exterior upgrades such as a new glossy paint for the headlight bezels and the combination taillight bezels, and highly luminous paint on the aluminum rims and rear lip spoiler. Copper Red Mica is the new, exclusive body color for this model. To raise the driving performance and ride comfort, the RX-8 Sport Prestige Limited II features higher quality specifications, with a specially tuned suspension, large-diameter brake discs, and a special front suspension cross member.

The manufacturer's suggested retail price for the RX-8 Sport Prestige Limited II is 3,150,000 yen, including sales tax, both for the six-speed manual transmission model and the four-speed Activematic transmission model.

The standard RX-8 has also been partially upgraded, with a new interior design, addition of the popular Galaxy Gray Mica and Phantom Blue Mica exterior body colors, and the "advanced keyless entry & start system" factory-installed option.

RX-8 Sport Prestige Limited II Special Features
Base model
RX-8 Type S (six-speed manual transmission) and RX-8 Type E (four-speed Activematic transmission)
</SPAN> Special equipment
1. Interior
- Exclusive leather & alcantara seats
Newly added are the sand beige-colored seats made of combined leather and alcantara in the seat's mid-section. The driver's seat is power-adjustable to eight settings and also has a power lumbar support system. Also featured: - Exclusive sand beige-colored door trim. - Exclusive black leather-wrapped steering wheel
The six-speed manual transmission model has a piano black steering wheel spoke panel, and the four-speed Activematic transmission model is equipped with the standard black panel. - There is also a special black-colored leather-wrapped parking brake lever. - Front and rear console lids are sand beige colored trim. - Exclusive shift knob only for the six-speed manual transmission model, designed with an indicator showing black letters and lines with a silver background. - Aluminum pedals are limited to model with the four-speed Activematic transmission model; the six-speed manual transmission model comes with the base model's standard equipment. - Piano black console side bars with a hairline surface. - In-dash six-disc CD changer kit.
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RX-8 Sport Prestige Limited II (Interior)
2. Exterior
The RX-8 Sport Prestige Limited II model also has the following exterior features: - Semi-glossy painted headlight bezels and combination taillight bezels - A change to dark-silver glossy paint for the 18-inch aluminum wheels for the six-speed manual transmission model. The four-speed Activematic transmission model has 18-inch wheels and aluminum rims, rather than the 16-inch size version used before, also featuring a different paint. - A rear lip spoiler - Front foglights are special equipment on the four-speed Activematic transmission model, and the six-speed manual transmission model comes with the base model's standard equipment.
3. Body Colors
A total of four exterior trim colors are available: exclusive Copper Red Mica, as well as Snowflake White Pearl Mica, Galaxy Gray Mica and Brilliant Black.
4. Driving Performance
- RX-8 Sport Prestige Limited II comes specially equipped with 225/45R18 tires and aluminum wheels on the four-speed Activematic transmission model, and the six-speed manual transmission model comes with the base model's standard equipment. - Large-size brake discs are installed on the specially equipped four-speed Activematic transmission model, and the six-speed manual transmission model comes with the base model's standard equipment. Large-diameter disc rotor brakes are 323mm wide in the front and 302mm in the rear wheel brakes. - Specially-tuned suspension
Special large-diameter dampers: the rod diameter has been increased from 12.5mm to 14.0mm and adopted on both front and rear dampers. - Exclusive front suspension cross member
A Mazda-original technology, this is where the cross member is filled with foamed urethane to provide better handling stability and damping force that mitigates road vibration.

5. Other new equipment
- A water-repellant front windshield, front door window glasses and door mirrors. - A newly adopted advanced card key-type keyless entry & start system (two cards provided) as standard equipment.

RX-8 Sport Prestige II
 

October 18, 2005


Mazda Releases RX-8 'Sport Prestige Limited II' Special Edition

-Evolved RX-8 features upgraded interior & exterior and better driving feel-



Mazda Motor Corporation today announced the launch of two upgraded versions of its brand icon RX-8 sports car in the Japanese market. The RX-8 Sport Prestige Limited II received various enhancements to bring it to a higher level of quality, and goes on sale in mid-November. In addition, an upgraded version of the standard RX-8 will also be launched today. Both models will be available at Mazda and Mazda Anfini dealerships throughout Japan.


Mazda RX-8 Sport Prestige Limited II (six-speed manual transmission model)

The RX-8 Sport Prestige Limited II has been enhanced so that occupants can experience a higher quality interior, exterior and great driving feel. It is the next evolution of the popular Sport Prestige Limited 2004 model. The interior features newly designed sand beige-colored seats with mixed alcantara and leather covers. The alcantara is suede-like artificial leather upholstery provided by Toray Industries Inc. Some sand beige-colored material is also used to match with the door trim and front- and rear-console box lids. High-texture materials that evoke a sense of higher quality have been used in exterior upgrades such as a new glossy paint for the headlight bezels and the combination taillight bezels, and highly luminous paint on the aluminum rims and rear lip spoiler. Copper Red Mica is the new, exclusive body color for this model. To raise the driving performance and ride comfort, the RX-8 Sport Prestige Limited II features higher quality specifications, with a specially tuned suspension, large-diameter brake discs, and a special front suspension cross member.

The manufacturer's suggested retail price for the RX-8 Sport Prestige Limited II is 3,150,000 yen, including sales tax, both for the six-speed manual transmission model and the four-speed Activematic transmission model.

The standard RX-8 has also been partially upgraded, with a new interior design, addition of the popular Galaxy Gray Mica and Phantom Blue Mica exterior body colors, and the "advanced keyless entry & start system" factory-installed option.

RX-8 Sport Prestige Limited II Special Features
Base model
RX-8 Type S (six-speed manual transmission) and RX-8 Type E (four-speed Activematic transmission)


Special equipment
1. Interior
- Exclusive leather & alcantara seats
Newly added are the sand beige-colored seats made of combined leather and alcantara in the seat's mid-section. The driver's seat is power-adjustable to eight settings and also has a power lumbar support system.
Also featured:
- Exclusive sand beige-colored door trim.
- Exclusive black leather-wrapped steering wheel
The six-speed manual transmission model has a piano black steering wheel spoke panel, and the four-speed Activematic transmission model is equipped with the standard black panel.
- There is also a special black-colored leather-wrapped parking brake lever.
- Front and rear console lids are sand beige colored trim.
- Exclusive shift knob only for the six-speed manual transmission model, designed with an indicator showing black letters and lines with a silver background.
- Aluminum pedals are limited to model with the four-speed Activematic transmission model; the six-speed manual transmission model comes with the base model's standard equipment.
- Piano black console side bars with a hairline surface.
- In-dash six-disc CD changer kit.



RX-8 Sport Prestige Limited II (Interior)

2. Exterior
The RX-8 Sport Prestige Limited II model also has the following exterior features:
- Semi-glossy painted headlight bezels and combination taillight bezels
- A change to dark-silver glossy paint for the 18-inch aluminum wheels for the six-speed manual transmission model. The four-speed Activematic transmission model has 18-inch wheels and aluminum rims, rather than the 16-inch size version used before, also featuring a different paint.
- A rear lip spoiler
- Front foglights are special equipment on the four-speed Activematic transmission model, and the six-speed manual transmission model comes with the base model's standard equipment.


3. Body Colors
A total of four exterior trim colors are available: exclusive Copper Red Mica, as well as Snowflake White Pearl Mica, Galaxy Gray Mica and Brilliant Black.


4. Driving Performance
- RX-8 Sport Prestige Limited II comes specially equipped with 225/45R18 tires and aluminum wheels on the four-speed Activematic transmission model, and the six-speed manual transmission model comes with the base model's standard equipment.
- Large-size brake discs are installed on the specially equipped four-speed Activematic transmission model, and the six-speed manual transmission model comes with the base model's standard equipment. Large-diameter disc rotor brakes are 323mm wide in the front and 302mm in the rear wheel brakes.
- Specially-tuned suspension
Special large-diameter dampers: the rod diameter has been increased from 12.5mm to 14.0mm and adopted on both front and rear dampers.
- Exclusive front suspension cross member
A Mazda-original technology, this is where the cross member is filled with foamed urethane to provide better handling stability and damping force that mitigates road vibration.



5. Other new equipment
- A water-repellant front windshield, front door window glasses and door mirrors.
- A newly adopted advanced card key-type keyless entry & start system (two cards provided) as standard equipment.

basically a Shinka 2.. :rolleyes: come on Mazda.. make the Mazdaspeed one already.. sheesh.

nice that looks like the new red color they've been talking about

you beat RX-nut by 1 minute...wow :p

LOSER!!!

haha

I don't know if u are refering to me or the RX8-nut guy :p

are these brakes bigger then the normal 6mt ones?

nope, just the automatic gets bigger brakes

Pretty cool key/remote too!
https://www.rx8club.com/attachment.p...id=61334&stc=1

A shinka in different colr. Big deal.

We want power! We want power! We want power!

^^^^Ditto

Again...this is only in Japan. :rolleyes: At any rate that Copper Red looks great.

Not to be critical, but some things that caught my eye besides all the cool upgrades:

- Is this possible? ;)

FYI- 3,150,000.00 JPY = 27,304.75 USD
And is the USDM only getting the 6-speed? They are content with a newer 4-speed?

-Can't I do the same with a $5 bottle of rain-x and 5 minutes?

- This one is sweet!

All together it looks like it doesn't make it that much more expensive. Probably around current Shinka prices @ $32k for all these mostly all-show novelties ... Don't get me wrong. I want em!

i'm even more happy i didn't get shinka now.. damn.. but i want keyless entry/start...

and windshield with anti water treatment.. but i got rain x so...

and also that 6-cd... i want those dampers..

I wouldn't be suprised if Mazda only installs the auto start on automatic cars.

Did they bump up the power any?

LOL!

Damn that remote looks sexy!

Indeed it is sexy!!!
What are the chances that we'll be able to retro fit the keyless system?

Probably won't be able to. I'm seriously not impressed with the "upgrades", c'mon Mazda...

Wonder why they say 4 speed Auto? I guess the 6spd auto is late avail.

the color reminds me of the color from the new eclipse

Great find RX-Nut.

Mazda Japan now has a website for it as well. http://www.rx-8.mazda.co.jp/limited/sport_prestige_2/

Fluff mainly, but...I really like that new red. If they had that red when I was looking to buy I would have gotten it...very nice!

Hey, if the shoe fits ;)

I like the interior color and new body color, but everything esle seems pretty minor.

still no freakin power upgrades

the only thing cool about this is the key...

so new Shinka and Shinka II are out.

I agree the key is neat, but LEGALY they cant put the remote start on the 6speed (at least not in the US) but the keyless system is nice, even though its the size of a credit card, being thicker and electronic, I wouldnt want to put it in my wallet, and its much bigger than the current switchblade key, so I would find if more bulky in my pocket. I guess if its in your brief case or suit pocket, its better.

Will be neat to see it in person, maby it can be adapted.

my question is about the new key. does it remove the ignition on the sterring column? since its supposed to start with the card and all, the key seems somewhat redundant then (except for the locking storage areas)

anyone have any ideas if thats the case?

I love the 8...it delivers....but all this SE stuff is just marketing shite.

2 threads at once? imma get confused....

anywho, i posted a question in the other one, so might as well here too. does anyone know if this new card will remove the ignition keyhole on the steering column?

and this isnt the new 2006 model, just a special edition in japan, right?

what i waste mazda,what we need is a little more hp upgrade

sorry my kokui nut freind- ryan beat you by 1 minute in the posting so i had to merge your thread with his ;)

Screens for '06
 

Anyone know if the '06's have addressed screens/shields for the Oil Coolers and AC Compressor?? And if the Auto's will now come standard with 2 oil coolers this time?

I'm thinking they would still have the ignition on the steering column, for valet purposes. <---My assumption

that would be my assumption as well, but it comes with 2 cards, so i was just wondering is maybe one is a 'valet card' and the other is a 'regular card'....

maybe mazda will clarify this later :rolleyes:

I think there will be a regular key ignition, what if the battery dies in the card. I guess it could be a magnetic card, but my guess is that its a RF transmitter.

I've driven the mx-5 with this keyless feature and it is a sweet little feature. The card pulls apart to have a key inside it and there's a cover that goes over the ignition switch that comes off and the key will then crank the car. That's how it works on the mx-5. I'm willing to bet it's going to be the same for the 'new' 8. That keyless feature was a $2000+ option on the mx-5 though.

The keycard is RFID. Those cards will outlive the car. They are in use in the military for long term storage.

Hmm, I woudl really like to fit the keyless entry system on my car, and then install a start button to start the car...


Do you think this would work?

Maybe a custom place could fabricate it for me?

Either way I really want one.

is the keyless system like the ones on Renaults where u put the entire key-card in a slot and press a start button, or like the mercedes ones where the keycard remains in ur pocket , and you jsut get in the car and press start?

wack, no power upgrades? all they do is interior BS mods.

Same thing i said were are the brains in mazda

Sales are already lagging badly behind the likes of the 350Z/G35. Looks like this car will be out of the US market if they don't do something dramatic with the power. Flamers come get me!

mod edit- watch your language. zoom44

Why would we come get you ,We all know its under powered but the car has other things that make it a great car the handling on this car is by far greater then the rx7's and loook wise. All we need is a turbo or supercharger and the car would be ###1 in my book

I don't understand your source of anger. RX-8 sales have already eclipsed the 3rd generation RX-7 in it's entire lifespan on the whole planet and it's done it in 1/3 the time so it doesn't appear to be doing too badly. I do realize there have been some reacall issues but remember the 3rd gen had 33 recalls it's first year alone and 2 were for engine fires. Can't really compare a car's success to another cars. The Civic, Ford F-150, Altima, and many other vehicles outsell the 350Z/G35. I don't think that will have any effect on the car market since I doubt the potential buyers of a 350 will realize that an F150 is a tougher vehicle and must sell more for a reason. The RX-8 is quite nice and handles better than most other cars on the market. It is decently quick. The 350 isn't exactly a rocket itself. It isn't that much faster than an RX-8. Not enough to really matter unless you are a street racer. Street racers are immature little brats though so even that point is irrelevant. There are faster cars out there sure but there are many slower cars out there too. The Miata is less functional of a car and is slower but it seems to do quite well and has a wonderful history. A fun car is a fun car. The fact is that you have no clue what RX-8 sales are doing and don't know how to determine trends from what you read. If you are unhappy with the power, you don't really have much right or reason to complain since you don't even own one. One thing that always remains a constant on internet forums is the people who complain the most typically have the least personal experience with what they are complaining about. I never could figure that out.

What the hell are you talking about? I've been following the sales on the 8 since the beginning and the numbers have fallen off this year compared to '04 by a lot. I understand the 8 handles well but other cars in it's class handle reasonably well AND they overpower it. The fact of the matter is the 350Z/G35 is outselling it by a lot and unless Mazda does something dramatic, I don't think we'll be seeing this car in the US market for long.

That's the dumbest thing I ever heard. It doesn't matter what any other model sells; as long as the RX-8 is making some money for Mazda they will keep selling it.

I don't know exactly how many they need to sell to turn a profit, and of course I want them to sell as many as possible, but saying "They will discontinue the 8 because <insert car here> had higher sales" makes no sense whatsoever.