Mazda Motor Indonesia (MMI) launched its latest series of RX sports car and showcased the limited edition RX-8 Spirit R on 15th February.

MMI president director Keizo Okue said that he was very proud to launch the limited edition sports car in Jakarta because Indonesians had always welcomed every Mazda series.

"This final special edition car reflects the spirit of the RX series. Our target is to sell five units of RX-8 Spirit R per month until June," Okue said at the sidelines of the launch in Central Park, West Jakarta.

He said that he was optimistic that sales would exceed targets since several cars had already been ordered before the launch. Even an RX-8 Spirit R displayed at the launch was already sold and would be delivered very soon, he said.

He said that 30 to 35 cars from the new series, costing Rp 682 million (US$ 75,500) each, could be sold 2012. "Indonesia's automotive market is growing and we believe our sales will also continue to grow, including for this series," Okue added.

He said that MMI was able to sell 300 cars from the previous RX series from 2008 to 2011, with 36 cars sold in 2011. In Indonesia, the RX-8 Spirit R will be available in three colours: metallic aluminium, sparkling black mica and crystal white pearl.

Similar to the older RX series, the limited edition car has a rotary engine. However, sporty and more stylish features could be seen in its alloy wheels with black center caps, the red brake calipers, the black bezel of the head and tail lights, and the Recaro leather seats.

Mazda made only 1,000 cars for this series, Okue said that his firm expected a 33 percent rise in sales to 12,000 2012, following 50 percent growth to 9,056 cars last year. He said that he was concerned about the global economy, although the crisis would not affect Indonesia greatly.

MMI will also build nine new sales outlets across the country. "We are going to have 37 sales outlets in Indonesia by the end of 2012," he said.