RX-8 in the May issue of Motor Trend
 

Motor Trend has a "First Test" article in their May issue.

All said it is a good review, though the acceleration #'s are higher than C&D/R&T.

0-60: 6.4
1/4 Mile: 14.8
60-0: 111 ft!!! :)
200ft Skidpad: .88 g
600 ft slalom: 67.1 mph

Fuel economy was rated at at 18/23......What?????

Just a one page write up....nothing much that we haven't seen elsewhere. They actually expressed satisfaction with the torque.....guess we can FINALLY put that to rest!!!
Laterz

6.4?? was that the auto? because that seems way off. I think it could be because they didn't do a 8k clutch drop, or it could be the scc article. If it is the scc article thing coming up then I guess the 5.9 C/D article is without the valves closed?? Anyone else have other opinons about this?

Here's the OCR'ed text from the article:

============================
Rotary-engine fans in North America are spinning with glee-at 9000 rpm. Why? Because not since the '95 model year, when the last twin-turbo 255-horsepower rotary-powered Mazda RX-7s were said here, could they warble the praises of the unconventional and compact 1.3-liter sport coupe. Back then, RX-7 R2s were peaky, pricey (as much as a BMW M3), sometimes spooky to drive, and produced substandard emissions and fuel economy. Yet many still say the last-gen RX-7 remains one of the most attractive cars ever to come from Japan.

All that's changed for the '04 Mazda RX-8. The new (nonturbo) Renesis 1.3-liter tworotor engine delivers a linear and smooth 250 horsepower through a slick six-speed manual transmission and carbon fiber prop shaft to the rear wheels.

We anticipated a hunger for more torque than 159 lb-ft would suggest, yet its curve is so flat and the tach needle swings so willingly that we have few complaints here, either. Taking 6.4 seconds to reach 60 mph falls short of the last RX-7, but it's good enough to tie a 250-horse Acura CL Type-S. Emissions have met California LEV2-A levels and fuel economy has been raised to an estimated 18/23 mpg city/highway.

Despite our concerns that the large double-door openings would produce chassis flex, the four-seat coupe's rigid construction, near-perfect suspension tuning, 50/50 weight distribution, and precise rack-drive electric power steering managed to assuage skepticism. in fact, blazing hot laps at Mazda Raceway (nee Laguna Seca) and a 57-mph slalom run (here at home) underscore the car's true athleticism. Appropriately sporty Bridgestone Potenza RE040 tires also helped achieve a stellar 111-foot stop from 60 mph.

Mazda says the RX-8 is a sports car like no other, which raises issues: Does the rotary powered, controversially styled, four-door coupe RX-8 answer a question nobody asked? Or does it fill a niche long neglected by other carmakers? We're leaning toward the latter-especially because the RX-8 is so darn fun to drive.-Chris Walion
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250hp cl type s? acura cl type s is rated at 260 horses, hmm... maybe motor trend just sucks with numbers?? haha

Here it is
 

Those guys never know how to drive.

blah, motortrend drive like grandma's. there times r wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy off from CD and RT. 6.4 is a half second from 5.9!!!! 1 or 2 tenths off is ok but a half second descrepency is just toooo big. automobile mag got 6.2 which is in reason but 6.4 is just way off.

Some of the 6's are turned into 5's. :(

Could you please post a better scan of the winning blue car?

Thanks

Stefan

chenpin,

Thanks for pointing out the error. I have corrected the numbers now. MotorTrend reported "0-60mph" at "6.4" seconds.

Blue pic
 

Blue pic

If the RX8 had came out last December, it might have a shot in the MT Car of the Year competition. Seems like the MT folks really enjoyed the car. :) The production car should perform better than the pre-production car they got.

if thats the article, motor trend is doing a horrible job of reviewing the articles before sending them off to print

maybe the rx8 does it in 5.4seconds instead of the 6.4seconds? lol

and the auto CL-S was rated at 6.4 seconds, the manual is around 5.9 so they dont make it clear which tranny was used

Motor Trend always does a horrible job of reviewing :(

That why I hardly ever buy Motor Trend any more. And yes their test numbers are almost always slower than other car mags. They must not want to void the warranty on the test cars. ;) LOL

:D

It's not only that.. they are clearly bought and sold by car companies, so they have really become a soapbox for the American car companies. That's why they gave car of the year to the Thunderbird ???!?!?!?!?!

Their articles are subpar, they have no humor or wit in their articles and as drivers their numbers are always below other reputable magazines and I'd just equate that to them not being as professional drivers. When I watch it on TV, it comes off as a bunch of rednecks that love pickup trucks and know how to make cars go really fast yet have no concept of anything beyond that.

I'll keep to my CAR, Evo, and C&D. My main sources of information.