Pretty cheesy review but still good to hear that Wired has nothing but nice things to say about the RX-8:

http://wired.com/wired/archive/gadgetlab/20061003.html

"The RX-8 could hail from an alternate universe, a car utopia where cylinders and roof pillars don't exist. That would explain the excessive power across all six speeds of the slick-shifting manual and the 9,000-rpm redline. And it would shed some light on how the diminutive 1.3-liter Renesis rotary engine is able to pump a blistering 232 horsepower and 159 pound feet of torque at 5,500 rpm. Otherworldly origins also might account for the keyless entry, heated leather seats, suicide doors, and buttery smooth ride. Oh wait, all of this can be attributed to the Mazda engineering team. But what about the fact that I emerged unharmed when the RX-8 hit a deer that sprinted in front of the car on my way home? That can be traced to Mazda's top-notch safety features like ABS and force-limited safety-belt pretensioners. Final score: RX-8 one, Bambi's mom nothing. -- D.D."

Not too sure about "excessive power" or "blistering 232 horsepower and 159 pound feet of torque" (what's this guy used to, a 1984 Accord?:Eyecrazy:), but praise nonetheless. :)

That would explain the excessive power across all six speeds of the slick-shifting manual and the 9,000-rpm redline. And it would shed some light on how the diminutive 1.3-liter Renesis rotary engine is able to pump a blistering 232 horsepower and 159 pound feet of torque at 5,500 rpm.
I love many aspects of my 8, but I would never use blistering 232HP or excessive power to describe our smooth rotary engine. :Eyecrazy:

I'm glad another journalist loves the 8 though. :rock:

Thanks for the link!