Off the bat, the RX-8 is unusual; it was designed as a sports car and drives like a sports car, but there's a real trunk, four doors and a different kind of engine. Weird or not, it still has to measure up to such coupes as the Nissan Altima and Mitsubishi Eclipse, but also newcomers like the BMW 135i.
The RX-8 has been on the market since the 2003 model year, and it's showing its age. Sales seem to have been good for Mazda's four-door sport model (we'll still call it a coupe, since the rear doors are of the suicide-type) and there are quite a few on the road. Happily, Mazda is refreshing the RX-8 for 2009, but there remains a nice limited-edition 2008 model that appeared last spring.
Happy birthday, Cosmo
The 1967 Mazda Cosmo Sport was the first car the company produced with Felix Wankel's rotary engine. Mazda developed a 1.0-litre, 2-rotor engine that produced 110 horsepower.
Today, the 2008 RX-8 gets a 40th Anniversary Edition model to celebrate four decades of rotary engines in Mazda vehicles. Actually, it's logically a year late, but it's a welcome package nonetheless.
The 40th Anniversary RX-8 distinguishes itself with its Metropolitain Grey paint job, fender-mounted badging and exclusive 18-inch wheels. Inside, the car gets very sharp black and red leather seats and door trim. A sunroof is standard, but the navigation system isn't available, neither is the 6-speed automatic.
Bilstein dampers are also part of the package, but I didn't really notice any change in the car's great handling. But you will be able to impress your neighbours saying that your RX-8 has a foam-filled suspension cross member.
Needs more torque
The 1.3-litre 2-rotor RENESIS engine in the RX-8 develops 238 horsepower but just 159 lb-ft of torque. What that means is you'll have to rev the engine silly to exploit a decent amount of power. Actually, at a normal cruising pace, it's not that noticeable, but you can't speed up dramatically without downshifting. Luckily, the car checks in at only 1,389 kg (3,062 lbs), which helps.
 |
| The RX-8 is unusual; it was designed as a sports car and drives like a sports car. |
The RX-8 has been on the market since the 2003 model year, and it's showing its age. Sales seem to have been good for Mazda's four-door sport model (we'll still call it a coupe, since the rear doors are of the suicide-type) and there are quite a few on the road. Happily, Mazda is refreshing the RX-8 for 2009, but there remains a nice limited-edition 2008 model that appeared last spring.
Happy birthday, Cosmo
The 1967 Mazda Cosmo Sport was the first car the company produced with Felix Wankel's rotary engine. Mazda developed a 1.0-litre, 2-rotor engine that produced 110 horsepower.
Today, the 2008 RX-8 gets a 40th Anniversary Edition model to celebrate four decades of rotary engines in Mazda vehicles. Actually, it's logically a year late, but it's a welcome package nonetheless.
The 40th Anniversary RX-8 distinguishes itself with its Metropolitain Grey paint job, fender-mounted badging and exclusive 18-inch wheels. Inside, the car gets very sharp black and red leather seats and door trim. A sunroof is standard, but the navigation system isn't available, neither is the 6-speed automatic.
Bilstein dampers are also part of the package, but I didn't really notice any change in the car's great handling. But you will be able to impress your neighbours saying that your RX-8 has a foam-filled suspension cross member.
Needs more torque
The 1.3-litre 2-rotor RENESIS engine in the RX-8 develops 238 horsepower but just 159 lb-ft of torque. What that means is you'll have to rev the engine silly to exploit a decent amount of power. Actually, at a normal cruising pace, it's not that noticeable, but you can't speed up dramatically without downshifting. Luckily, the car checks in at only 1,389 kg (3,062 lbs), which helps.
 |
| Today, the 2008 RX-8 gets a 40th Anniversary Edition model to celebrate four decades of rotary engines in Mazda vehicles. |