From this rearward angle a splash of the new 6 sedan is mixed with a dash of the old RX-7 - fitting considering its sedan/sports car mix. But all said the new model's tail end design, sporting a black diffuser with twin chrome tailpipes, is very original. Its front doors are relatively normal in comparison to the rear-hinged suicide ports used for back seat entry. When both are opened the pillarless effect is airy, in contrast to the cockpit-like interior.
To be fair, while it looks intimately proportioned, for a sports car it's spacious. The rear quarters offer more capacity than a regular 2+2 coupe, with adequate legroom for all but cross country trips and headroom that only interferes with those on the taller side.
How will it go? Quickly no doubt, confirmed by a quick glance at its specifications. Its mix of aluminum, steel and composite construction makes for a low 1,330 kg (2,933 lb) curb weight, not a heck of a lot of tonnage for its 6-speed manual actuated 250-hp 'Renesis' 2-rotor rotary to manage. Still, for those stepping out of a last generation 255-hp 1,270 kg (2,800 lb) RX-7 with all of 220 lb-ft of torque at its disposal compared to the RX-8's 159 lb-ft, the new model will feel only adequate despite its 9000 rpm redline.
But where the old model was purely for stimulating self interest with just enough room for the catch of the day, the RX-8 is clearly on an alternative mission with its own unique attributes designed specifically for Mazda's previous RX-7 owner's new lifestyles - that more often than not now include children.
Parents will appreciate the safety aspects of the RX-8's innovative 'virtual center pillar' design. It incorporates steel tubes within its rear doors, held to a solid brace by extra-strength door latches. Also, both front and rear doors incorporate catchpins to deflect side impact toward the underbody, protecting occupants within. Such features, along with the car's rigid chassis and backbone frame should make for good collision test results.