CarAndDriver

The BMW 135i beat the EVO X, because it was an all around wonderful car to drive.

However, on one page, it listed other four seat sports coupes/cars for comparison to the 135i and EVO X.

The RX-8 was listed along the Audi TT 3.2 Quattro, Ford Mustang GT, and Subaru Impreza WRX STI and the two tested cars. Glad that 8 was listed, but it showed HP and torque numbers and, of course, the 8 didn't look too good on paper. But at least it was mentioned.

The column categories were engine, power, torque, layout (rwd, awd), doors/passengers and MRSP.

MT got a 135i 6-speed automatic 0-60 in 4.7 seconds and 1/4 mile in 13.3 @ 105.6MPH!!!

Deathwatch

Thats cool.

boanjangnararmine

i believe the 8 wins in the weight category! unless the audi is lighter

GeTcRuNk

i am 99.9% sure the 8 is lighter than the TT

Razz1

They mentioned the 8 in R&T and it said the 16x was going to have 210 to 250 HP

m477

Personally I am fine with 250hp, as long as torque and fuel economy are significantly increased, and the next generation car is lighter and better looking.

alfy28

Me too, i will be happy with the 250hp, as long they keep it weight light. but then again this is mazda who makes a well balance car.

jayk

Make that 99.99%, Mazda would have to work extra hard to make an 8 heavier than an awd audi. I wouldn't put it past them, but it would be very disappointing.

JRichter

Make that 100% sure. The Audi is some 200 lbs more.

RatedX8

Last year Car and Driver did a comparo ...350Z, Shelby Mustang, TT and RX8. The TT was a 2.0 turbo with DSG. They claimed the TT was 100 lbs lighter than the 8. If memory serves the TT was listed at 2960, 8 listed at 3060. The 8 won the comparo, TT 2nd, 350Z 3rd and Mustang last.

JRichter

^ But the TT 3.2 Quatro mentioned is 3269 lbs - mostly additional engine and AWD weight I guess.

shinka213

how about handling? especially in the twisties??
would the 8 win out here?

i would think the mustang would be last in this category...

RatedX8

yeah, the v6 quattro would definitely be heavier. The 8 was picked first bcuz it was more fun to drive, outstanding handling. The handling on the Mustang was compared to a live axle truck from the 70's.

77mjd

You would think the next rotary car with the 16X HAS to have at least 250hp. Why would they develop a new rotary engine and have the same power as the current one. Couple that with direct injection, more low end, and maybe a little lighter and you have a winner.

I also saw that the new 370Z may start around $35,000. If that is the case, they are pricing themselves out of the market for an affordable sports car. That new RX7 or whatever it becomes is supposed to start under $30,000.

raspyrx7

2600lb, 16X, 260hp, and 22/28 mpg would be the sweetest.

DaveCM203

^+1 That would be hot.

JRichter

lol... is the live axle actually better for dragging, or is that just an excuse Ford uses to cut costs?

Rootski

iTrader: (1)

Cars with independent rear suspension are prone to wheel-hop and can be penalized in regulated drag-racing.

Shoafb

The Mustang is not nearly that bad. Someone hasn't driven a 70's truck in a while....

JRichter

That's what I was thinking but no matter how well it handles, I still couldn't buy a sports car from this century w/o an independent rear suspension.

Robonaut

It may not be that bad, but, trust me, the Mustang handles like utter crap compared the RX8. "Big and bloaty" sums it up nicely.

As for the live rear-axle, my understanding is that it is there to cut costs.

Shoafb

You could also say the 8 is slow as a snail compared to the mustang. But that doesn't make the 8 as slow as a snail.

whitebeau

How about:

Same MPG. Additional 6gallons to the tank. Near bulletproof oil delivery & cooling so noon of the 03-08 gremlins occur?

6gallons totalling about 20.5? overall should net around 340 Miles to a trip, which i think is acceptable. Realistically I don't think we'll see a better mpg unless they start using a hybrid type technology similar to what F1 is using... electric for ontap torque, and charges during breaking & coasting...

solo8

Of course you'd have to qualify that the Mustang was faster "on a straight line" because you'd kill yourself trying to drive as fast as an RX-8 in the twists.

I guess Mustangs would be great any place where the roads are only straight and there are no turns. Though you could probably just make a go-kart too.

Shoafb

and again, by that logic you can say the 8 would be great on roads that only have curves, no straights.

I thought the 8 was pretty confy cruising down the highway though.

Have you driven the new mustang?

they are 2 different cars, no need to rag on one or the other. Both do what they do.