Technical
The RX-8 is delivered with only one engine. It is, as mentioned, the now famous 13B twin-rotor 1.3L rotary. In its most powerful normally aspirated version yet, it puts out 238 hp at a gut wrenching 8 500 rpm and 159 lb/ft of torque at 5 500 rpm. The output varies whether the motor is mated to the 6-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission. The slushbox simply kills the grunt as horsepower decreases to 197 at 7 200 rpm however torque increases slightly to 164 lb/ft at 5 000 rpm. The RX-8's independent suspension is sport-tuned. 4-wheel disc brakes and 18" wheels are standard as is a strut tower bar in the engine bay and electronically assisted power steering.
On the road
The RX-8 is a phenomenal road and track car. I say this because I have had the opportunity to find out first hand how impressively balanced (50/50 weight distribution) and neutral the car is. Weight transfers occur without upsetting its grip, which is exceptional, on the tarmac. The chassis is re
markably stiff even with the absence of fixed "B" pillars. The RX-8 remains flat as it literally carves through corners at a very high rate of speed. It is capable of carrying more velocity than most drivers will everThe ride is more compliant than most would imagine with 18" wheels and a sporty suspension setup. On a smooth surface, the RX-8 glides as though floating an inch above Mother Earth. As the aspect of the asphalt deteriorates, the car remains composed although vibrations are clearly transmitted into the cockpit.
Steering is razor sharp with pin-point precision. A simple jerk of the wheel is sufficient to get the RX-8 to move. Feedback through the P225/45R18 tires is un-muffled. The brake pedal is firm and easy to modulate. Response is immediate and stopping distances are short.
The hand-assembled Renesis 13B rotary delivers its power in a particularly linear fashion. Acceleration is brisk but the overall feeling is that it is not fast. A 0-100 km/h time in the low 6 second range is not chart topping although it is certainly quick. The trick is to hold the Go-pedal all the way to the 9 000 + redline and soak in t
he whining rotors as they spin furiously to put a grin on your face. I do have a bone to pick with Mazda on one point. How am I supposed to fully enjoy the screaming rotors when I am averaging 15L of fuel consumed per 100 km? In nearly pure city cruising, the 1.3L was chugging over 17L of Premium fuel! I guess no car is perfect... Safety
The car has standard dual front, side and side curtain air bags, ABS brakes with electronic brake force distribution, available stability and traction control and seatbelt pre-tensionners. The NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) awarded the car 4 out of 5 stars (a good result) for the driver and 5 out of 5 stars (a perfect result) for the passenger in a frontal impact. It also gave the car 4 out of 5 stars for both front and rear passengers in lateral impacts. The IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) has not rated the RX-8.