Mazda is gradually ceasing production of the RX-8 sportscar and decided to give it a proper send-off with the SPIRIT R special edition.

The RX-8 SPIRIT R is limited to 1000 units and will go on sale from November in Japan. The car’s named and inspired by the final limited edition Mazda RX-7, the predecessor to the rotary-engined RX-8. It gets exclusive seat design and colored alloy wheels.

Mazda RX8 SPIRIT R is based on the RX-8 Type RS and E which means it can be had with either a six-speed manual or an auto transmission. Automatic models come with Exclusive SPIRIT R badge, Front headlights, front fog lights and rear combination lights (with black bezels), Front and rear brake calipers (red), Transmission tunnel trim (piano-black), Curtain and front side SRS airbag system, as well as Leather seats (black with red stitching), Leather-wrapped steering wheel (black with red stitching), Parking brake lever (with red stitching), Center console box front seat armrest and rear console box lid covered with synthetic leather (with red stitching), Sports suspension, larger brakes, 225/45R18 91W tires and 18-inch alloy wheels (gun metallic).

The manual meanwhile gets Specially-made SPIRIT R bucket seats from RECARO and 225/40R19 89W tires and 19-inch alloy wheels (bronze).

So the manual is sportier, but the auto is more luxurious. Both models can be had in three exterior colors of Aluminum Metallic, Sparkling Black Mica, and Crystal White Pearl Mica. RX-8 SPIRIT R features no performance upgrade.

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