We have developed a sporty automatic transmission steering shift switch suited to the RX-8 whose aim is to deliver "sports car value to create sports driving pleasure", which is known as Mazda's "DNA". Here is its introduction: (1) Operation method: To materialize quick and "accurate" operation as a sport car, we have adopted the operation method which matches direction of gravity that a driver feels during acceleration/deceleration. (2) Layout: To achieve optimum steering shift operation, we determined the optimum shapes by repeatedly adjusting their dimensions in increments of 1/10 mm during desk checks and field tests. (3) Rigidity: Through several structural studies, we have achieved "rigidity" of "UP" switch equivalent to that of solid metal material even by using nylon resin. (4) Customer delight: By applying thick metallic coating to "UP" switch, we succeeded in giving the switch feel and appearance comparable to those of solid metal material. Moreover, to realize the good shifting operation for nighttime driving, we have adopted optimum illumination for "DOWN" and "UP" switches.
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