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Mazda RX-8 · Japanese-market variant · 2004 /MANUFACTURERS/MAZDA/RX-8/ORIGINAL-GENERATION/MAZDASPEED-VERSION

Mazda RX-8 Original Generation Mazdaspeed Version

The original Mazdaspeed Version was a Japanese limited edition introduced in February 2004. Mazda subsequently reported that all 300 cars had sold before announcing Version II.

Mazda RX-8 identified by its photographer as an LA-SE3P Mazdaspeed Version, parked in Hikone, Japan.
An RX-8 identified by its photographer as the original Mazdaspeed Version, photographed in Hikone in 2022. This later photograph does not establish that every visible detail is factory-original. Photograph: 先従隗始, CC0 1.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Photograph: 先従隗始 · CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication

Identity and introduction

Mazda announced the Type S-based Mazdaspeed Version on 24 December 2003, scheduling Japanese sales through Mazda and Mazda Anfini dealers from mid-February 2004. Original announcement.

This is a variant within the original RX-8 generation. Its introduction date is a Japanese calendar date, not a worldwide model-year designation. The parent generation’s 2003–2012 span does not describe this limited edition’s production period.

Engine, chassis and appearance

The six-speed manual package combined revised engine control, intake ducts, a catalyst-equipped sports exhaust and special spark plugs. Twin oil coolers, an earthing kit, a lighter flywheel and corresponding eccentric-shaft balancing completed the engine changes.

Springs lowered the car by 20 mm; monotube dampers, uprated brake pads, additional bracing and larger stabiliser bars addressed chassis response. Exterior additions comprised a new nose, side skirts, rear under-skirt, rear wing and Mazdaspeed ornaments. The launch release lists Strato Blue Mica and Sunlight Silver Metallic. These coordinated modifications made the edition a complete Mazda offering. Original equipment specification.

Its RENESIS engine family used natural aspiration, side exhaust ports and two 654 cc rotors, giving a nominal 1,308 cc displacement. These are engine-family characteristics; the cited edition announcement supplies no separate power or acceleration figure. Mazda’s RENESIS description.

Body and manufacturing context

The underlying RX-8 was a four-door, four-seat sports car. Mazda began its assembly at Ujina No. 1 in Hiroshima, Japan, on 17 February 2003. That establishes the base model’s manufacturing location and chronology; it does not establish a separate assembly schedule or conversion location for the Mazdaspeed batch. RX-8 production announcement.

Mazda’s August 2004 retrospective identifies February 2004 as the original edition’s Japanese introduction, reports a limited production quantity of 300 and states that all had sold. The cited releases do not give its final assembly date. Mazda’s retrospective account.

Distinction from Version II

On 20 August 2004 Mazda announced the successor, Mazdaspeed Version II, with Japanese sales scheduled for early October and production planned at 180 cars. Its height- and damping-adjustable suspension belongs to that successor’s specification and should not be attributed to the original edition. Version II announcement.

The original edition’s historical significance lies in Mazda’s early development of the RX-8 as an integrated road-going tuning package, combining engine response, chassis changes and aerodynamic bodywork within the existing generation.

Sources and image credit

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