This past February 10th, Mazda received
permission from Japan’s Ministry of Land Infrastructure and Transport to begin leasing the RX-8 Hydrogen RE to
two corporate customers. The Hydrogen RE features a rotary engine that can run on either gasoline or hydrogen with the
flick of a switch. By the end of the year Mazda plans to have lease contracts for ten vehicles in total.
The
Hydrogen RE was unveiled at the 2003 Tokyo Motor Show and it’s taken 29 months of development to get the concept
ready for the real world. When running on hydrogen the RX-8 will emit no carbon dioxide or nitrogen oxide while
providing the driver about 107 horsepower. The monthly payment for the vehicle is pretty hefty, however, at 420,000 yen
including tax, or about $3,576 US a month.
Full spec sheet after the jump…
[Source: Mazda
Japan]
Specifications and lease price of Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE
Vehicle Type: Mazda LA-SE3P ‘Kai’ (modified model)
Overall length/width/height: 4.435mm / 1.770mm / 1.340mm
Wheelbase: 2,700mm
Curb weight: 1,460kg
Seating capacity: 4 adults
Engine Class: RENESIS hydrogen
rotary engine (Dual fuel system)
Type: 13B
Displacement: 0.654L x 2
Maximum output: Hydrogen –
80kW (109PS), Gasoline – 154kW (210PS)
Maximum torque: Hydrogen – 140Nm (14.3kgm) ,Gasoline –
222Nm (22.6kgm)
FuelType: Hydrogen/gasoline switch
Fuel tank: Hydrogen – 110L/35Mpa (350 bar) high
pressure hydrogen tank, Gasoline – 61L
Performance Cruising distance (10-15 mode): Hydrogen – 100km,
Gasoline – 549km
*Standard lease price (Price without tax indicated in brackets.) : 420,000 yen (400,000
yen) per month