When the RX-8 first came out in 2003, I thought "wow, what a cool car". With a rotary engine kicking out 247 horsepower (later adjusted down to 238 horse power), suicide doors, and a shape reminiscent of the departed, but fondly remembered RX-7, and a sticker price less than 25 grand, there wasn't much not to like about it.
Mazda showcased a Hydrogen powered version of the RX-8 back in October of 2003 at the Tokyo Motor Show, and just this past February, 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 RX-8 RE can run on either hydrogen or gasoline, and Mazda plans to have 10 lease contracts by the end of the year. When the RX-8 RE is running on hydrogen, it won't release carbon dioxide or nitrogen oxide, and runs at 107 horsepower. The monthly lease payments are 420,000 yen -- about $3600 a month.
We all knew saving the planet was expensive, but at that price, those corporations leasing the RX-8 RE are making a pretty loud statement.
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