NEW MAZDA RX-8 R3 DELIVERS EVEN MORE DRIVING FUN

Late August will see the arrival of the unique rotary-engined, four‑seater, four-door coupe, the new Mazda RX-8 R3. The improved version of the 231ps twin-rotor engine will see the new R3 deliver a heightened driving experience with faster steering, chassis and engine responses, more refinement, more equipment and even greater value.

Priced at £24,995 (on‑the‑road) , the new RX-8 R3 is still incredibly good value for a 146mph sportscar with the ability to reach 62mph in just 6.4 seconds and is sure to maintain Mazda's position as 'Britain's favourite sportscar brand'.

"The R3 delivers an even more focused and even more sporty driving experience, while retaining the original model's many uniquely attractive technical innovations and adding numerous premium features. The Mazda RX-8 is still the world's only rotary-engined production car, and that very rare creation, a genuine four-seater coupe. " enthuses Mark Cameron, Mazda UK Marketing Director.

Mazda RX-8 has always had the appearance of a classic sportscar with a powerful‑looking and dynamic exterior design. The new R3 version enhances this with a new front bumper design that has a larger five-point grille and oil cooling openings (below the front fog lights), that are nearly twice as large as on the original model for an even stronger look and improved cooling. Added to this are new front headlamps, new front fender designs, new twin round LED rear lamps and a redesigned rear bumper with larger exhaust pipes (now 90mm in diameter) – all executed with a beautiful attention to detail and a superb build quality that Mazda drivers have grown to expect.

The more aggressive appearance created by the revised styling is complemented by the all-new larger diameter 19-inch alloy wheels with ultra-low profile 40 section tyres. These extra-light wheels have five 'rotor-shaped' spokes and are finished in dark titanium.

Every new Mazda RX-8 R3 comes with a new six-speed manual gearbox developed from the transmission fitted in the smooth-shifting third-generation MX-5. This unit has better overall shift feel, making the new R3 even more fun to drive with a sharper getaway from standstill and improved performance.

The new RX-8 R3 continues to feature the front-midship engine, rear-wheel drive configuration of the original, delivering an ideal 50/50 weight distribution between the front and rear axles for fantastic handling characteristics while revised steering and suspension deliver even better steering feel and driving stability.

Also contributing to the evolved handling of the new Mazda RX-8 is its exterior design, which is updated for improved aerodynamic performance and reduced lift, enhancing performance feel and high-speed stability.

The interior of the new RX-8 is just as sporty and sophisticated as its predecessor, and adds new trim materials for a further improvement in quality look and feel. For the driver, the cockpit is even sportier with new Recaro sports front seats, a tachometer that now has a variable red-zone that rises as the engine comes to operating temperature, an instrument cluster with a newly developed colour to help minimise eye strain, and a new-style steering wheel.

In addition to the Sports Styling Pack, larger 19-inch diameter alloy wheels and Recaro front seats, every R3 comes with 12 new items such as cruise control, automatic light-sensing xenon headlamps, automatic rain-sensing wipers, an integrated Bluetooth® system and special R3-badged carpet mats.

Buyers will also enjoy the new BOSE® premium audio system with Centerpoint® surround sound and AudioPilot® noise compensation technology exclusively designed for R3 with an eight-channel digital amplifier. A 6-CD autochanger, nine speakers and an AUX auxiliary jack (for connecting an MP3 player), complete the audio system.

However, as well as being treated to some fantastic equipment, new RX-8 R3 owners will find it easier to live with as an 'everyday' car. Checking the oil level in the R3 is now easier because the oil dip-stick has been moved from the side of the engine to the top of the engine cover while owners can now enjoy driving the new Mazda RX-8 longer between fuel fill ups as its petrol tank now holds an additional 3.6-litres of fuel.

The new Mazda RX-8 R3 will be available in four new body colours – Aurora Blue mica, Crystal White pearlescent, Diamond Grey metallic and Sparkling Black mica – and two carry-over colours, Sunlight Silver metallic and Velocity Red mica all at no additional charge.