rx8drivers

Mazda RX-8 Evolve

For the first time since the car was launched, Mazda has introduced a special edition version of the rotary-engined RX-8 four-door coupé. The Evolve is based on the higher-powered 231PS RX-8 but, at £23,900, it costs the same as that car with optional leather trim.

You won't see many of them around, since Mazda is bringing just 500 into the UK. 400 of these will be painted in Copper Red and the remainder in Phantom Blue.

There is no word if Mazda plans to import any of them into North America.

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Evolve – the first special edition Mazda RX-8

Mazda is introducing its first-ever special edition model of the Mazda RX-8 rotary powered four-door sports coupé. Called the 'Mazda RX-8 Evolve' the new model is named after the original concept car seen in Detroit in 2000 from which the Mazda RX-8 was developed.

Based on the 231ps high-power version of Mazda RX-8, the Evolve has several unique exterior features. These include a choice of two exclusive colours (Copper Red Mica and Phantom Blue Mica), unique dark silver 18 x 8J alloy wheels, a polished aluminium Rotary crest on the front air dam, dark silver bezel headlamps, sports door mirrors, polished aluminium side air outlet fins, stylish Rotary branded B-pillar trims, chrome exhaust surrounds and 'Evolve' badging.

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Knoper named SCCA Pro Racing President

TOPEKA, Kan. (Feb. 2, 2006) -- SCCA Pro Racing Ltd., the wholly owned professional auto racing subsidiary of Sports Car Club of America (SCCA), Inc., announced today that Earl Knoper will be its next President.

Mazda U.S. sales increase in January

Mazda Motor Corp. said Wednesday that its U.S. vehicle sales rose 7 percent in January, led by strong growth for its Mazda3 and MX-5 Miata.

MAZDASPEED Motorsports: Racing Into 2006

IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 27, 2006 -- MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development's 2006 season is set to pick up where it left off: with excitement, dedication and a drive for victory. As the 2005 season closed with victories in series as diverse as the American Le Mans Series (ALMS), Grand American Road Racing Association (Grand Am), Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) and National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), 2006 is already off to a strong start.

Trackpedia

A new online encyclopedia for motor racing enthusiasts is now available: Trackpedia. The new web site offers a community-built and -maintained resource for driving circuits. It is loosley built on the Wikipedia concept.

Britain's "What Car" Magazine names its Car of the Year

"What Car" Magazine has named the BMW 3 Series was named as best sedan. However, Mazda scored a hat trick as the Mazda RX-8 picked up the trophy for "Best Coupé" for the third consecutive year. The same maker's Miata MX-5 also took the title of "Best Open-Top" car.

Is this the RX-9?

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This rear-drive Mazda Kabura sports car concept was shown at the recent Detroit Auto Show. It is obviously based upon the Mazda RX-8 styling but looks even nicer (to my eyes). The cabin is a bit bigger, including bigger back seats. It has more room inside than most sports cars. Yet it looks sexy.

No word whether or not this car will ever become reality. If not, I bet we see bits and pieces of it in various Mazda offerings in 3 or 4 years.

Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen Rotary Vehicle Escorts Runners in All-Japan Men's Marathon Relay Race

Mazda's RX-8 Hydrogen Rotary Engine (RE) car will be used as a support vehicle for runners during the 11th All Japan Prefectural Men's Marathon Relay Race, to be held in Hiroshima on January 22, 2006. The RX-8 Hydrogen RE vehicle features a dual-fuel system that allows the driver to select hydrogen or gasoline with the flick of a switch. This will be the world's first drive for this vehicle on public roads in a support capacity at a sports event.

Turbo RX-8!

You can't turbocharge an RX-8. Mazda says it cannot be done. Mounting a turbo on the RX-8's rotary powerplant is all too much trouble; something to do with the clearance between the exhaust and the front suspension.

Luckily, some blokes in Australia never got the word. Or it got lost in translation. Or something.

You can see a turbo RX-8 built by Mazda Australia's Motorsports team at http://carsguide.news.com.au/story/0,20384,17835596-21822,00.html

I want one!