The Japanese market Mazda RX-8 sportscar has been updated for 2009 with new standard features and two additional exterior body colors that appear for the first time and are called 'Aluminum Metallic' and 'Metropolitan Gray'. The equipment upgrades for the JDM RX-8 include rain-sensing windshield wipers, auto-light system, water-repellent coating on the front door windows and door mirrors and Mazda's keyless entry and engine start system that now come as standard on all model grades. 
The 2009 Targa Tasmania endurance race that runs from April 28 to May 3 and comprises around 1,890km (1,157 miles), including 465km across 40 closed-road, stages will see the return to competition of Mazda's SP moniker. Using a production RX-8 GT as a base, Mazda Motorsport Australia added a turbocharger to the car's rotary engine increasing output from 228HP to 275HP and torque from 211Nm to 300Nm.Other modifications include the addition of a roll cage and bucket seats as well as chassis and suspension upgrades. The RX-8 SP rides on 18-inch lightweight MazdaSpeed alloys shod in performance tires.
Along with the RX-8 SP, Mazda will also enter a Mazda3 MPS at the endurance race that will be competing for honors in the Showroom 2WD Competition.
