what? i have looked at almost every site about the RX-8 and there is nothing that mentions a standard transmission. and all the pictures of the interior have NO CLUTCH. someone tell me this isnt true

 

The "almost final" version of the RX-8 seen at the recent Tokyo Motor Show has a 6 speed manual. The concept RX-8 (not to be confused with the RX-EVOLV) did have the F1-style paddle shifter. It's my understanding that Mazda won't be quite ready to introduce the paddle shift to the RX-8 when it initially launches (mid-2003? maybe a few months earlier?). We'll most likely see the paddles back in the cockpit about a year afterwards.

Here's a good source for more information on the RX-8:
http://www.rotarynews.com

and the RX-8 forum at the site:
http://rotarynews.com/threads/freeth...list&Board=RX8

and a clip of the RX-8 on a track from Mazda Japan:
http://210.150.14.74:80/mazda/wmt/1012/rx8_300k.asf

James