When it first came out in 2004, the Mazda RX-8’s design was unconventional at the time. Aesthetically designed differently from sports cars at the time, the Mazda RX-8 dared expand their market by reaching new heights of innovation with their new line.
Safety: As its main function as a vehicle, safety is one of the most important features of the car. It achieves this with the “I” beam frame that runs through the middle of the car that strengthens the frame of car. Coupes usually seat 5 people, but since the I beam runs through the car, you have 4 sectioned off seats, providing solidity through the overall car. With safety as its prominent feature, the RX-8 fulfills its priority by focusing on the safety first and letting it influence the car’s design.
Comfort: Designed as a sports car, the RX-8 has bucket style racing seats. Usually just used as the front seats, the bucket seats were also used in the two back seats, this was because of the I beam construction. The regular three person back seat was removed and they installed racing seats just like the front seats because of the construction of the car.
Ease of use: Compared to other sports cars, the RX-8 can hold its own in its class, with some tricks up its sleeve. Designed as a coupe, which normally has two doors, Mazda incorporated freestyle doors to its design. Meant to allow easy access to the back seats, the RX-8 turns into a sedan disguised as a sports car. The RX-8 rotary engine is the lightest factory made engine, only drawback is that needs higher revolutions that decrease gas efficiency.
Performance (productivity): One of the most used forms of transportation, cars are as reliable as it can get, but it depends on the model and make of the car. The problem with this car is that the rotary engine that the overall design was based on needs to be carefully watched and maintained. The rotary engine with its spinning triangle design is completely different from piston engines. Instead of recycling its oil, the rotary burns it up, that means that a constant maintenance of engine oil levels.
Aesthetics: From one look at the car, the first thing that stands out are the flared out front and back fenders, it’s a very distinctive look that is a real eye catcher on the road. Usually, the salient characteristics that can distinguish brands from one another are displayed on the face of the car, usually by the makeup of the grill, headlights, and hood design. Some people find the aggressive lines mixed with curved fender design a bit too much and over designed, but it is that certain blend that adds to the car’s appeal.
The Mazda RX-8 displays the gestalt principle with a complete unity of its design working together to further enhance the overall product. Every aspect of the car had a point and reason to its design, fulfilling the categories of the elements of ergonomics for designers.
