What is it? This unique four-seater sports coupe gets a freshening for 2009, with some exterior and interior design tweaks along with better performance. The exterior treatment is minor: front and rear bumpers, headlights, and exhaust tips are all new, and Mazda has made new 5-spoke wheels available as an option. Notable changes to the interior are a redesigned center console, steering wheel, and seating, as well as a tachometer with an adjustable maximum revs zone, which increases as the engine warms up.
Changes to the drivetrain are equally minor. The manual transmission gets lower gearing for better performance in first gear. The rear suspension has been modified and a strut-tower bar has been added in the engine bay to increase stiffness.
What's new or notable? For buyers looking for race-like ride and handling, the R3 sport package is new, with upgraded shock absorbers and visual changes such as bigger wheels, additional body cladding, and fog lights.
When will it be available? Sometime in 2008.
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