Mazda to make 1,000 more copies of final RX-8

Wankel wankers, rejoice: The Mazda rotary engine has received a short stay of execution. Mazda is building 1,000 more RX-8 Spirit R models, and then the car is gone forever. Well, maybe not forever. Mazda has hinted at the fact that it might still be working on a replacement.

The Spirit R is the final edition of the RX-8's run, sold exclusively in Japan. All are painted in aluminum metallic, sparkling black mica or crystal white pearl mica. Features on the Spirit R include 19-inch wheels, Recaro seats, Bilstein shocks and a unique aero kit. Bronze-hued wheels sit at the corners.

Manual and automatic transmissions are both available, with 232 hp (manual) or 212 hp (automatic). A limited-slip differential is standard.

The Mazda RX-8 Spirit R will cost buyers in Japan the equivalent of $38,666 for the automatic and a bit more for the manual.

By Jake Lingeman