Detroit Show: 2009 Mazda RX-8 Facelift High-Res Images & Details

Five years after its debut, the RX-8 has received its first major facelift which concerns subtle exterior and interior design changes, chassis improvements and the addition of a new R3 sport package –no, Mazda didn’t fiddle around with the rotary engine units. In terms of exterior styling, the 2009 RX-8 gets restyled front and rear bumpers and front fascia; slightly different headlamps and tail-lamps, larger exhaust and new alloy-wheel designs. The interior gets minor enhancements that include the redesigned centre console, new front and rear seats and an MX-5 inspired steering wheel. -Continued

For the 2009 MY, Mazda engineers improved the RX-8’s body rigidity through the addition of structural reinforcements while the rear suspension geometry has also been reconfigured. Additionally, the differential gear ratio on manual transmission-equipped cars is lowered from 4.444 to 4.777.

Finally, Mazda will offer a new R3 sport package (same as the JDM RS) that adds a sport-tuned suspension with Bilstein shock absorbers and front suspension crossmembers filled with urethane foam, a rear spoiler, side sills, fog lights and sporty front bumper along with 19-inch forged aluminum-alloy wheels. Inside, the R3 pack adds a 300-watt Bose audio system, Bluetooth hands-free phone system, front Recaro sport seats, leather-wrapped parking brake handle and keyless entry and start system.

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No New Facelift for Mazda RX-8 in Frankfurt, Reports Confused German Market Launch

As Homer Simpson would put it, D'oh! Many magazine and auto sites were quick to report the news that Mazda may (or is going to) introduce another facelift version of their RX-8 sports car at the forthcoming Frankfurt Show. And while we're accustomed to frequent facelifts from Japanese carmakers, problem is that Mazda presented the latest refreshed RX-8 at last year's Detroit Auto Show. Turns out that all the fuss was about the German market debut ("Deutschland-premiere") of what is sold in most markets as the updated RX-8 231HP with the R3 sport package. Non believers may check out the (translated) German press release after the jump.

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Mazda Updates JDM RX-8 with New Colors and Standard Features

The Japanese market Mazda RX-8 sportscar has been updated for 2009 with new standard features and two additional exterior body colors that appear for the first time and are called 'Aluminum Metallic' and 'Metropolitan Gray'. The equipment upgrades for the JDM RX-8 include rain-sensing windshield wipers, auto-light system, water-repellent coating on the front door windows and door mirrors and Mazda's keyless entry and engine start system that now come as standard on all model grades.
[Via: Carscoop]

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