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If you're from the UK, this is your last chance to buy a new Mazda RX-8 as less than 100 examples of the four-seater sports car remain in stock after production in Hiroshima of the right hand drive models for Britain ended. As is the case with Honda's Civic Type R hot hatch, the RX-8's rotary engine fell victim to Europe's looming Euro 5 emissions standard. According to Mazda, UK customers purchased 14% of 186,632 total global RX-8 sales since 2003 launch.

The remaining Mazda RX-8s are the R3 models with the 231HP engine and the ability to reach 62mph in just 6.4 seconds. On the road pricing is set at £25,540 with Mazda dealers currently offering buyers a finance package with 5.9% APR for up to 36 months until 30 September 2010.

"Over the next couple of months drivers will be presented with a rare opportunity to acquire one of the very last RX-8s available in the UK," said Mark Cameron, Sales Director, Mazda UK. "Its immense driver appeal, the world's only rotary-powered production car is still a head-turner, with tremendous road presence and styling that still looks fresh. A few lucky customers are going to play a part in the grand finale of this motoring legend."

While it's almost certain that Mazda will present a new sports car in the very near future, it's unclear if the Japanese automaker is considering a direct successor to the four-seater RX-8 or, as the rumors suggest (and we hope for), a more sportier two-door model reviving the RX-7. In any case, Mazda will continue to use a rotary engine on the sports car, albeit a more fuel efficient and greener one.

Today, Mazda announced the launch of the facelifted RX-8 at its dealerships throughout Japan. The freshened version features subtle cosmetic changes on the outside, improved interior quality and minor mechanical upgrades (Details here). Price in Japan start at 2,600,000 Yen or about 25,300 USD with the current exchange rates. Along with the sales announcement, Mazda also released new set of images of the revised RX-8 that we’ve added after the jump. Just so you don’t get confused, the Blue color RX-8 is the sporty Type RS grade while the Black one is the Type E and the Gold, the Type E. –Click through for the image gallery

Even though the facelifted RX-8 that made its debut at the Detroit Show (see here) is just around the corner, Mazda Australia decided to unveil a limited edition version of the current generation model at the Brisbane Motor Show on February 1. Only 200 examples of the RX-8 Rotary Engine 40th Anniversary model will be sold in Australia, priced at $55,840 AUD. The limited edition model is equipped with leather and Alcantara interior, leather wrapped steering wheel, gear shifter and handbrake handle, and specially-designed 40th Anniversary badging. -Continued after the jump

The car’s handling and performance have also been enhanced thanks to standard fitment of Bilstein shock absorbers and urethane foam-filled front suspension cross member. Other exclusive features of the Anniversary edition include distinctive high-gloss 18-inch alloy wheels, silver engine cover, a floating rear spoiler, sunroof and blue reflector fog-lamps.

Mazda has announced that it has come to an agreement with HyNor (Hydrogen Road of Norway), a joint industry initiative to demonstrate real life implementation of a hydrogen energy infrastructure along a route of 580 km – 350 miles from Oslo to Stavanger in Norway, for the purchase of 30 Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE vehicles commencing summer 2008. For Mazda, these will be the first hydrogen vehicles sold outside of Japan. -Details after the jump

PRESS RELEASE

Hiroshima, Japan, 7th November 2007. Mazda Motor Corporation and HyNor (Hydrogen Road of Norway) will collaborate in the development of hydrogen fuel and hydrogen vehicles. This was formally agreed at a signing ceremony held at the Norwegian Embassy in Tokyo today. His Excellency Mr. Åge B. Grutle, Norwegian ambassador to Japan, and Mr. Hisakazu Imaki, Mazda’s President and CEO, attended the event, at which Mr. Ulf Hafseld, chairman of HyNor, and Mr. Seita Kanai, a director and senior managing executive officer in charge of Research and Development of Mazda, signed a memorandum of understanding for collaboration and support in the development of a Hydrogen Economy. The memorandum states that HyNor intends to purchase 30 Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE vehicles commencing summer 2008. For Mazda, these will be the first hydrogen vehicles sold outside of Japan.

"I very much welcome the agreement between Mazda Motor Corporation and HyNor. The agreement illustrates that HyNor's efforts to contribute to the development of Hydrogen-based technologies are recognized by Mazda as a major global actor in this field”, said H.E. Mr. Åge Grutle, Norwegian ambassador to Japan. “The partnership between HyNor and Mazda is also very encouraging for Norway's broader efforts to strengthen its cooperation with Japan in promoting research and technologies within the context of climate change mitigation, including a Hydrogen Society. For the Norwegian embassy it is a top priority to support these efforts, working in close collaboration with Innovation Norway and the Research Council of Norway."

“HyNor is very pleased to sign this agreement with Mazda and we think this cooperation will speed up the process of introducing hydrogen as a zero-emission fuel”, said Ulf Hafseld, Chairman of HyNor. “By using the Internal Combustion Engine as a feasible technology to accelerate realization of the real hydrogen world, we can develop a hydrogen infrastructure much faster. HyNor is focusing on a carbon neutral infrastructure, and using hydrogen in the Mazda cars will ensure a complete carbon free line of fuel.”

“This will be the first time a Hydrogen RE vehicle will be sold outside Japan and will be a big step in Mazda’s Hydrogen vehicle development history”, said Mr. Seita Kanai, Mazda’s director and senior managing executive officer. “Perhaps Norway is one of the countries closest to the realization of a Hydrogen energy society. By cooperating with HyNor and jointly supporting the development of a hydrogen economy, we hope that Mazda will be able to contribute to the establishment of a Hydrogen society. "

HyNor is a unique Norwegian joint industry initiative to demonstrate real life implementation of a hydrogen energy infrastructure along a route of 580 kilometers from Oslo to Stavanger in Norway. The project comprises all steps required to develop a Hydrogen society with adaptation to local conditions. The joint project is planning for various means of transport: buses, taxis and private cars and varying types of transport systems: urban, inter-city, regional and even long-distance national transport. In August 2006, Mazda attended a ceremony which commemorated the opening of Norway’s first hydrogen filling station created by HyNor. This is also where the first on-road demonstration of a RX-8 Hydrogen RE vehicle outside of Japan was held.

Mazda is offering a new optional Sport Pack for all RX-8 models sold in the UK. The sport pack is priced at £350 ($714 or €502) and it consists of an Eibach lowered sports suspension kit, bright silver 10-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels, body-coloured aerodynamic side skirts, a satin-silver fuel filler cap and body-side RX-8 graphics. We really dig the 18-inch alloys but we can’t quite decide if we like the graphics or not. But what the hell; if we lived in the UK we’d just buy it as is and take off them of later on if we found it them a tad too "70’s". -Press release and pics after the jump

MAZDA RX-8 WITH ‘SPORT PACK’ AND 0% FINANCE

• Four-seater, four-door sports coupé with sensational looks and practicality
• New special ‘Sport Pack’ (worth over £1,700) available for £350 on all models
• 0% finance on all standard, limited and special edition models until 31 December

The revolutionary Mazda RX-8 four-seater, four-door sports coupé is now available with 0% finance and a new optional Sport Pack priced at £350 – offering a customer saving of £1,400. Available for all models, the Sport Pack comprises Eibach lowered sports suspension, unique Bright Silver 10-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels, body-coloured aerodynamic side skirts, a satin-silver fuel filler cap and dramatic body-side RX-8 graphics.

The Mazda RX-8 with Sport Pack can be ordered in any of the six regular exterior colours, while the graphics are available in a choice of silver, charcoal grey or white, allowing customers to contrast with, or complement, their choice of body colour to suit their personal taste.

Two regular Mazda RX-8 models are available and both are powered by an ultra smooth-revving RENESIS rotary engine. The standard £21,500 Mazda RX-8 model features the 192ps engine with a five-speed manual gearbox, while the £23,000 high-power RX-8 model is fitted with the 231ps unit and a six-speed transmission. The 192ps model accelerates to 62mph in 7.2 seconds, while the 231ps model takes just 6.4 seconds.

Thanks to its unique blend of high-performance rotary engine power, perfect 50/50 front/rear weight distribution, rear-wheel drive, sports car dynamics and generous interior space, the Mazda RX-8 has helped boost Mazda sports car sales to record levels. Together with the Mazda MX-5, the RX-8 accounts for one in every five sports cars sold in the UK – earning Mazda the title of ‘Britain’s Favourite Sports Car Brand’.

Great Finance Promotions until 31 December 2007
As well as the ‘Sport Pack’ offer, all Mazda RX-8 models – standard, limited-edition and special-edition cars – are even more attractive this autumn, thanks to the introduction of three 0% finance promotions available on retail sales until 31 December.

1. 0 per cent APR Mazda Hire Purchase (minimum 30% deposit) over 36 months.
2. 0 per cent APR Mazda MultiOption Cashplan over 12 months.
3. 0 per cent APR Mazda MultiOption (variable 20-to-30% deposit) over 36 months.

Mazda RX-8 - Price List

NB ‘on the road’ prices are inclusive of number plates, 12 months’ road fund licence, first registration tax.

Options & Accessories

Geneva Show aside, Mazda UK just announced that it’s adding two new special edition versions to its RX-8 & MX-5 range. The MX-5 2.0 ZSport is priced at 19.995 BP and it'll be available in just 400 examples. Unique exterior features include Radiant Ebony Mica paintwork, 17’’ BBS alloys, a chrome front grille surround complete with other exterior chrome touches while in the interior, Mazda has added Stone-coloured leather upholstery, a brushed aluminium dash panel, chrome air vent bezels, climate control a/c and alloy pedals.

As for the RX-8 Kuro 231Hp, it costs 23.995 BP and it features Sparkling Black Mica paint with special exterior badging and five-spoke 18” dark silver alloys along with a unique ID displayed on its stainless-steel scuff plates and as the Zport, it also gets Stone-coloured leather upholstery. The Kuro will be strictly limited to 500 vehicles in the UK. No word out yet if these special editions will be available in other countries. -Continued: Click “Read More…” below to see more high-res pics & the press release