The RX-7 was known for not only sharp cornering ability and ground pounding
power, but stylish and functionally aerodynamic properties. Seeing as how
the RX-8 follows the rest of the guidelines of the original build team for
the
RX-7, it should come as no surprise to know that the RX-8 has the same
sharp, aerodynamic lines. However, the exterior is also the one place where
the RX-8 has an option to help set it apart from the
RX-7. That feature is
the addition of the rear doors. They were added to make it easier to get in
and out of the back seats, but in order to preserve the coupe look. These
doors follow the regular roofline, and open "suicide style", or open in an
opposite direction of the front doors; similar to that of a extended cab
pickup truck.
The low front end features an optional bottom lip spoiler,
and as you travel upwards, you come across the small outer openings which
contain the fog lights, and above and between those openings is the large
grille opening. The upper lines of the grille section travels at an outward
direction up across the hood, outlining the hood line, then traveling back
to the windshield, ending at the side view mirrors. The headlights flank
that grille line, just above the top of the grille. The RX-8 headlights
feature smoked covers with projection style low beams and halogen high
beams, and as an upgrade, self leveling Xenon high beams are available. For
those who like a little more gleam to the front end, polished chrome
headlight bezels, and matching tail light bezels, are offered as well. The
windshield line is low and remains low as the air travels up over the roof,
into the rear glass, that is fastback style, and meets the trunk line sat a
very low angle as to not cause rear end turbulence.
|
|
The RX-8 comes with a
slight integrated spoiler on the trunk, but a larger, more prominent wing
can be chosen. The air then tucks down along the back of the car, over the
smooth molded bumper, and along the lower rear air diffuser, which wraps
around the polished dual exhaust tips. The tail lights are a modern new
"euro style" in which a clear lens covers colored inserts and as mentioned,
chrome inserts are offered. The sides are smoothed for aerodynamics as
well, with door handles and a fuel door that are all flush to the body, and
the area around the wheels have exaggerated flares to allow for plenty of
room for the optional 18 inch bright polished aluminum wheels, wrapped in
Bridgestone 225/45 R18 all season performance tires on the manually shifted
cars, with 16 inch wheels offered on the automatic transmission car. In
order to make the car more user friendly on a bright snowy day, heated
exterior mirrors, and heat absorbing side and rear glass is offered. On the
other hand, I cruising on a warm summer night, the RX-8 offers a moon roof
and flip out rear quarter windows.
