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Gallery |
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| Review |
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Introduction |
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Finally time had come to hit the road with the new Mazda RX-8. Our test
car was painted in lightning yellow. We prefer the more styli Brilliant
Black or the more sporty Red Mica, but that didn’t keep us from grabbing
the wheel and starting that special rotary engine. |
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Chassis |
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 The designers have equipped this car with so called Freestyle-doors.
If the front doors are opened, the backdoors can be opened in the opposite
direction.
It still is a small entry, but once seated in the back, you’ll be surprised
of the space and the comfort back there. It feels somewhat like being
in a plane, with those small windows on the side.
So it looks like a coupe but it has the functionality of a four door
saloon. It’s the best of both worlds… if we don’t consider
the trunk. It’s not big enough, and the opening is way too narrow.
Remarkable are also the numerous indications to the rotary engine: on
the bonnet, in the front spoiler and also the back fog light, that have
the shape of a triangular rotor. |
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Interior |
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 Mazda
didn’t skip on equipment in this car. You get air conditioning,
a sound system with CD-changer, satellite navigation and heated seats.
From behind the steering wheel, in the nice leather seats, you look down
onto a
well build control panel.
There is a big rev counter right in front of you with a red needle, waiting
to get pushed over the white markings, right into the red zone. A digital
speedometer tells you how fast you go.
Also here we find indications to the rotors under the bonnet: on the
shifting stick and in the headrest of the seats. |
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Engine & Performance
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 Most
cars of this type come with huge engines, but this has a 1.3 litre. It
may only be a 1.3, but it is a rotary engine, originally invented
by Felix Wankel in the fifties. The new rotary engine from Mazda, called
the Renesis,
delivers in this Standard Power version 192 bhp. A
rotary engine is an internal combustion engine that works in a completely
different way from conventional,
4-stroke piston engines. The pistons
that move back and forth to make the crankshaft rotate, are replaced
by one or more
triangular rotors.
In a rotary engine there is no linear motion to convert. As combustion
occurs the rotor is immediately made to turn thus reducing vibrations
and increasing potential engine revs. A little buzzer tells you to
change gear at 7.500 rpm. It’s not the torqueiest engine in
the world but it's smooth: 0 to 100 km/h takes 7.2 seconds and it
goes up to a top speed of 223 km/h.
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Fuel
Consumption
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One of the drawbacks of a rotary engine is that they aren’t very economical.
A consumption of 11 litre/100 km is possible, if you take it very slow.
If you hear the buzzer a couple of times, 14 litre/100 km is more realistic.
With a fuel tank of 61 litres, you will only get 430 km far without refuelling. |
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Driving
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 This RX-8 has got the perfect layout: front-engine, rear-wheel drive,
with a limited slip differential. It also has a perfect 50/50 weight
distribution. On a dry road, this car is very easy to control. It feels
light and agile,
and the steering is very precise.
When it starts to rain though, the rear starts to act a little nervous
and it all starts to feel very twitchy. With the stability control
off, this is an easy car to drift. Even with DSC on, the system leaves a lot
of
room to play, before it finally puts
the car on the right track again. |
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Comfort
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you don’t push the pedal to the metal all the time, this
Mazda settles down and turns out to be quiet, comfortable and dignified.
You can go to work with it, pick up some groceries, or go on a
family visit with the kids. The leather seats are very comfortable and the driving position is good.
The suspension is very comfortable also and the air conditioning is standard,
although it’s not separated for the driver and the passenger. |
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Safety
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Four ventilated discs, together with anti-lock brakes with an electronic
brake distribution, make this car stop in no time. A traction and stability
control come standard too. Sporty drivers don’t have to worry, because they can be switched off
completely. Six airbags will have to keep you and your passengers safe when
it does go wrong. |
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Price & Equipment
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 With
prices kicking off at €29,999
this Mazda RX-8 is a bargain. Especially if you consider all the
equipment that comes standard: a remote controlled
alarm-system, automatic air conditioning, a BOSE sound system with
nine speakers, a CD-changer and controls on the steering wheel.
Also included are the 18-inch alloys, alloy doorsteps and fog lights
in the front bumper.
For an extra €3,500 you also get a full leather interior, electric
seats that can be heated and satellite navigation. This gives our
test car a price
tag of €33,499.
If
you want to compare it with its direct rivals, the Nissan 350Z and
the Chrysler Crossfire 3.2, you better take a
look at the 231 bhp version,
which is available for €37,000. |
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| Story
and images by Frederick Valkenborgh from AutoTester. |
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| Specifications |
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Engine
& Transmission
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| Type |
Two-rotor
Renesis engine, 16-valves
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| Location |
Front,
transversely-mounted |
| Displacement |
2 x
654 cc / 2 x 39.9 cu in |
| Bore |
Not
Available |
| Stroke |
Not
Available |
| Compression
ratio |
10.0:1 |
| Power |
143.2
kW / 192.0 bhp at 7000 rpm |
| Torque |
220.0
Nm / 162.3 ft lbs at 5000 rpm |
| Drive |
Rear
wheel drive |
| Transmission |
5-speed
manual |
| Front
brakes |
Ventilated
discs |
| Rear
brakes |
Ventilated
discs |
| Steering |
Rack
and pinion w/ power assistance |
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Performance
& Fuel Economy
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| 0
- 62 mph |
7.2
seconds |
| 0
- 100 mph |
Not
Available |
| 0
- ¼ mile |
Not
Available |
| Top
Speed |
223.0
kph / 138.6 mph |
| EPA city |
15,1
l/100 km |
| EPA
highway |
8,3
l/100 km |
| EPA
combined |
10,8
l/100 km |
| Our
driving |
14,0
l/100 km |
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Dimensions
& Weight
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| Length |
4430
mm / 174.4 in |
| Width |
1770
mm / 69.7 in |
| Height |
1340
mm / 52.8 in |
| Wheelbase |
2700
mm / 106.3 in |
| Front
track |
1500
mm / 59.1 in |
| Rear
track |
1505
mm / 59.3 in |
| Front
tyres |
225/45-R18 |
| Rear
tyres |
225/45-R18 |
| Kerb
weigth |
1394
kg / 3073 lbs |
| Max.
permitted weigth |
1800
kg / 3968 lbs |
| Seating
capacity |
4 seats |
| Trunk
volume |
290
liter |
| Fuel
capacity |
61,0
liter |
| Spare
wheel |
Repair
kit |
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Price
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| Available
from |
€29,999
(Standard Power 192 pk - Challenge) |
| Price
as tested |
€33,499
(Standard Power 192 pk - Revolution) |
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Verdict
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Performance |
| Full
four-seater |
| Price |
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Fuel
economy |
| Stiff
gearbox |
| Small
trunk |
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