The RX-8's unique rotary engine provides the Mazda with some serious go. Breathing through a new exhaust and variable air intake systems to boost low-rev torque, the naturally aspirated 1308cc twin rotor unit develops 240bhp at 8200rpm and 156lb ft at 5500rpm. Mazda has kept a close eye on the RX-8's kerb weight and with only 1300kg to propel, the rotary engine bullets the RX-8 to 60mph in six seconds dead and onto a top speed of 151mph. That's enough to annihilate a BMW 330Ci, a Mercedes C230 Sport Coupé and a Subaru Impreza WRX in a straight line.

It simply begs to be driven hard. The engine is pivotal here - it revs with the kind of zingy enthusiasm usually reserved for electric motors. Blip the throttle at standstill and the twin rotors will spin the crankshaft to 5000rpm with ease. On the go it provides a clean and stepless thrust of acceleration that builds at 3000rpm and peaks at a dizzy 9000rpm when a loud buzzer warns the driver to charge up. So smooth and willing is the rotary unit that often the buzzer's warning comes as a surprise.

its directness means that even through tight twisties the driver merely needs to flex his wrists to have the nose diving off the straight ahead and into corners. The chassis feels delightfully agile and neutral. Turn off the stability and traction control and the RX-8 can be driven neatly and safely on the throttle, the car moving progressively from slight understeer to adjustable oversteer with a quick and determined prod of the throttle. It feels nimble but taut, tracks straight and true and without any slack, rewarding neat and accurate driver inputs. Our test route included some track work, which normally sounds the death knell for the most road cars, but the RX-8 feels nimble and alert, flowing into corners with precision and enthusiasm, and remaining flat and keyed into the road even under provocation. The rifle-bolt six-speed gearbox is a delight to use. Throws through the narrow gate are short and positive, requiring no more than a hand flick to swap cogs. The brakes also deserve special mention - strong and tireless, the all-disc layout effortlessly reigns in the engine's enthusiasm, and the centre pedal offers strong initial bite. Like the handling, the ride quality is overtly sporty. The twin wishbone front and new multi-link rear suspension have been tuned to provide a planted ride. Body movements are kept well in check and there's little roll, pitch and dive.

Know this however, this car has impressed two hard core rotorheads. This is a rotary sports car, while not a replacement for the raw FD3S RX-7, it is a refined, well tuned, predictable car, that it it's soul is a rotary.

... the rotary engine bullets the RX-8 to 60mph in six seconds dead and onto a top speed of 151mph. That's enough to annihilate ... a Subaru Impreza WRX in a straight line.

Originally posted by koolaid80
I agree, especially since the WRX is turbocharged (read: more torque, which means faster 1/4 mile times)

Originally posted by Good Duck


I find that a little hard to believe. Even with the UK WRX making only 218 hp, its awd start will get it under 6 sec (5.9 sec according to Subaru UK website).

The nine speaker six-CD player sounds rich and clear with no distortion even when cranked right up. The system has been tuned to the exact interior architecture of the different models and takes into account whether the cabin has leather or fabric seats, or if it’s fitted with a sunroof or not. Another Bose innovation is the Audio Pilot unit that constantly retunes the sound rather than the volume to compensate for changes in road surface, weather conditions or climate control ventilation levels.