The Mazda rx 8 was designed as a front mid-mounted, rear-wheel drive 2+2 coupe. The car has a near 50/50 weight distribution, achieved by mounting the engine behind the front axle and the gas tank ahead of the rear axle. Weight is trimmed through the use of materials such as aluminum (hood, trunk, roof, and rear doors), fiberglass for the body panels and a carbon fiber composite drive shaft.
The car features a pair of rear-hinged “freestyle” doors (similar to suicide doors) in order to provide easier access to the rear seats. The Mazda rx 8 has no B-pillar between the front and rear doors, with the leading edge of the rear door acting as a ‘virtual pillar’ to maintain structural rigidity. Because of the overlapping design, the rear doors can only be opened when the front doors are open.
The Mazda rx 8 is powered by a 1.3 L (1,308 cc) naturally-aspirated RENESIS 13B Wankel-type rotary engine, which features newly designed side intake and exhaust ports. The engine is smaller and lighter than previous rotaries, primarily due to the lack of a turbocharger and associated parts. Though the engine is only 1.3 L, it is rated to get 18 mpg in the city.
The engine is designed in various configurations for different models, but in its most powerful setup develops 250 PS (247 hp, 184 kW) at 8500 rpm with a sustained red line at 8500 rpm, peak red line of 9000 rpm and fuel rev limit/cut-off at 9500 rpm. It won the International Engine of the Year and Best New Engine awards in 2003 and holds the “2.5 to 3 liter” size award for 2003 and 2004.
