Mazda RX-8 Original Generation True Red Style

Overview

True Red Style joined the original RX-8 generation as a Japanese special edition on 2 March 2006. Its defining combination was exclusive True Red paint and black leather upholstery. It retained the four-door body and RENESIS rotary engine. Mazda’s launch announcement identifies two configurations: Type S with a six-speed manual and Type E with a four-speed Activematic automatic.

Equipment and specification differences

Equipment included matching leather door trim, an electrically adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support, leather-covered steering wheel and parking-brake lever, and semi-gloss chrome lamp surrounds. Keyless entry and starting, plus water-repellent front glazing and mirrors, were also included.

The automatic gained 18-inch wheels, larger front disc brakes and sports suspension; these were already standard on the manual’s Type S base. The manual also received a piano-black steering-wheel audio-switch panel. These distinctions matter when identifying an original car.

Production context

RX-8 production began at Mazda’s Ujina No. 1 plant in Hiroshima, Japan, on 17 February 2003. The model combined four seats with a four-door body lacking conventional centre pillars. Mazda’s original Japanese range distinguished the higher-output manual Type S from the standard-output automatic Type E. This is background to the later special edition, rather than evidence that both True Red Style configurations shared identical engine specifications. Mazda’s production announcement.

The special edition’s announcement establishes its Japanese sales introduction, but gives no production total or production end date. The parent generation’s 2003–2012 span should therefore not be used as this variant’s production period.

Mazda RX-8 Sport Prestige Limited

Another special-edition variant catalogued under the same RX-8 generation.

Sources

• Mazda: True Red Style Japanese launch announcement, 2 March 2006
• Mazda: RX-8 production begins at Ujina No. 1, 17 February 2003

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