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The 2011 Mazda RX-8 will be the last model year for this iconic sports car, according to Mazda spokesman Jeremy Barnes. He said production of the model has already ceased, meaning whatever is left at dealerships is likely what’s left of new Mazda RX8 inventory.



There’s no word on whether will bring an RX successor; the RX-8 replaced the RX-7 here in 2002. Along with the Miata, the RX played a key role in forming Mazda’s “Zoom-Zoom” identity. The RX-8 featured a standard high-revving rotary engine — the only car in the U.S. that had such a configuration. If the RX-8 is not replachttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifed, that could very well mean the endhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif of Wankel rotary engines in this country. The automaker has been building rotary-powered cars since the 1960s.



2012 Ford Focus The RX-8 was certainly a rare breed here. The car had a low-slung appearance, but it was rather accommodating with its hidden rear-hinged doors. Unfortunately, the rotary engine had pretty odd characteristics that might put off some car buyers. And its fuel economy was lousy.



Mazda has only sold 544 RX-8s so far in 2011, down 20.8% from 2010.