This week, Mazda introduced the new RX-8 Evolve, the first special edition model of this award winning rotary powered sports coupe. Mazda takes us back to the car's roots by naming the special after the original concept car first shown at the
2000 Detroit Motor Show.
The Mazda RX-8 Evolve presents customers with good value for money as prices are unchanged when compared to the leather clad standard RX-8. For £23,900, expect to see unique dark silver 18-inch rims, dark bezel headlamps, sports door mirrors and polished ally side air outlet fins. Mazda ensures that your co-workers won't forget that your sports coupe is no regular unit with unique paintwork, Evolve exterior detailing and a polished rotary crest on the front air dam. Other drivers will also notice a clean set of chrome exhaust surrounds as you release the 228bhp from the rotary lump.
Mazda hasn't limited the Evolve features to exterior detailing either; seats are decked out in unique stone leather and Alcantara trim, the steering wheel is leather trimmed and so is the gear knob and handbrake lever.
Under the skin the Mazda RX-8 is unchanged, why? Because Mazda believes it is a winning combination, a view backed by What Car's Best Coupe 2006 award for the RX-8. Add to this the evergreen (and recently replaced) Mazda MX-5, which has sold bucket-loads since its conception all those years ago, and you have an impressive sports car line up.
Available in Copper Red or Phantom Blue and with only 500 being sent to these shores the RX-8 Evolve should "zoom-zoom" out of the Mazda showrooms. Availability is from late February 2006.
Paul Wilkinson - 13 Feb 2006