Launched in 2003, the Mazda RX-8 hit the global market with a serious bang. The RX-8 has won more than 50 global awards since its release including 2003 RJC Car of the Year in Japan Australia's Wheels magazine's Car of the Year for 2003, 2003 International Engine of the Year, 2004 Singapore Car of the Year, the 2004 U.S. Best Sports Car and UK Car of the Year 2004. It was also named on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 2004, 2005, and 2006. All together, Mazda has sold nearly 167,000 RX-8s around the world.

For 2009, Mazda will further the evolution of the four-door, four-seater sports coupe, giving RX-8 a refreshed exterior and interior design, enhanced performance and a new R3 sport package for the ultimate driving enthusiast.

Unchanged is the core of the RX-8 � a high-powered, lightweight and perfectly balanced machine powered by the world-renowned twin-rotor RENESIS rotary engine.

�Dating back to the Cosmo Sport released in 1967, every sports car ever developed by Mazda has had the same fundamental mission � to provide car lovers with a vehicle that�s fun-to-drive, exciting to look at and easy to own,� said Tetsu Nakazawa, Mazda North American Operations� RX-8 vehicle line manager. �The 2009 RX-8 embodies that mission, conveying the unique and distinctive Mazda brand DNA to the fullest.�

To enhance the highly successful RX-8, Mazda engineers focused on innovation in three key areas for the 2009 RX-8: styling, performance and packaging. �The enhancements made to RX-8�s exterior, interior, packaging and performance takes it to a whole new level of visual and driving excitement,� remarked Nakazawa.

More pictures with the new 2009 Mazda RX 8 and a full article you can find here:

http://bestsupercars.com/cars/2009/2009_Mazda_RX_8.html

 

The one thing I'm not sure I like about the 09 face lift is that plastic strip across the top of the front end opening...I'm gonna have to see one in person before I pass judgement. The other appearance item I'm unsure of is the change to the front side fender with the removal of the black "vent" piece opening. while it served no functional purpose such as brake or engine cooling, it does define and distinguish the appearance of the RX8, replacing it definitely changes a "design" look of the RX8. I think I also prefer the blacked out look of the rear bottom bumper of the previous models to the body color look of the 09, I hope that the silver muffler doesn't show from under the car from the rear end view. To me that is distracting and cheapens a design. However the R3 package and larger exhaust outlets can only be good. Is the 09 model at dealers yet? Although I told myself the "last time" was the last time, maybe it's time to go shopping again, though I do wonder if this model refreshening is the final release before a complete RX-8 restyling for 2010/2011?

 

on another forum i had a chance to look at a lot of photos of the 09 model, some from japan where it is on sale now. in some body colors the front plastic top lip isn't as bad looking as i first thought, and neither is the rear end. maybe it will grow on me.

 

The 09 rx8 r3 looksmean but I just bought an 08 rx8 gt in white very happy with my purchase got it for $26,000 not bad.

 

i'm still not sure about the 09 RX-8 front end but I sure do like the wheels...I photo-shopped a comparo so I could better visualize them on one like mine. i think the new ones are 19" so i would have to do a plus 1 size change which means new tires as well. but i do so really like them.

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