RX-8 R3 in "AUTO EXPRESS" England "Performance COTY"
10-23-2008, 05:15 AM
#1
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RX-8 R3 in "AUTO EXPRESS" England "Performance COTY"
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carrevi...da_rx8_r3.html
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Quote:
If there’s one thing you can guarantee about our annual Performance Car of the Year bonanza, it’s that one model will surprise everyone – and this year it was the Mazda RX-8.
We’ve always been fans, but even we were not prepared for the latest R3 to be quite so accomplished around the undulating Anglesey circuit. Perfect 50:50 weight distribution ensures supreme balance, while precise steering and excellent traction help raise the grin factor.
In damp conditions the rear-wheel-drive chassis is predictable and progressive, yet in the dry we found the immense grip made it hard to unsettle the back tyres.
Against the stopwatch the Mazda was outpaced by 16 of its rivals here, but this is proof that track-based fun isn’t all about speed.
In terms of pure chassis balance and driving enjoyment, you will need to look towards the top finishers to find something more rewarding. The firm’s engineers have also managed to eradicate the clunky transmission feel that was a hallmark of previous models, so it’s smoother to drive on the road, too. The distinctive rotary motor is still thirsty and requires regular oil top-ups, while the car’s familiar looks do it no favours in the desirability stakes.
But as a pure driver’s machine the RX-8 proves you don’t need a billionaire’s budget to own one of the very best.
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Quote:
If there’s one thing you can guarantee about our annual Performance Car of the Year bonanza, it’s that one model will surprise everyone – and this year it was the Mazda RX-8.
We’ve always been fans, but even we were not prepared for the latest R3 to be quite so accomplished around the undulating Anglesey circuit. Perfect 50:50 weight distribution ensures supreme balance, while precise steering and excellent traction help raise the grin factor.
In damp conditions the rear-wheel-drive chassis is predictable and progressive, yet in the dry we found the immense grip made it hard to unsettle the back tyres.
Against the stopwatch the Mazda was outpaced by 16 of its rivals here, but this is proof that track-based fun isn’t all about speed.
In terms of pure chassis balance and driving enjoyment, you will need to look towards the top finishers to find something more rewarding. The firm’s engineers have also managed to eradicate the clunky transmission feel that was a hallmark of previous models, so it’s smoother to drive on the road, too. The distinctive rotary motor is still thirsty and requires regular oil top-ups, while the car’s familiar looks do it no favours in the desirability stakes.
But as a pure driver’s machine the RX-8 proves you don’t need a billionaire’s budget to own one of the very best.
10-23-2008, 05:30 AM
#2
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Thread Starter
Go Mazda RX-8, a VERY respectable 8th place for the 8..
Don't know how the Mini made it so high up?
For a car that is over 5 years old, this result is even more amazing!
Performance Car of the Year 2008
1 Nissan GT-R 61.3 secs The Winner..
2 Porsche Cayman S 64.3 secs
3 MINI JCW 67.7 secs
4 BMW M3 Coupe 63.8 secs
5 Lamborghini LP560-4 60.5 secs
6 Renaultsport Clio Cup 68.7 secs
7 Mercedes SL63 AMG 64.6 secs
8 Mazda RX-8 R3 68.1 secs
9 Audi TT S 65.5 secs
10 Porsche 911 GT2 59.8 secs
11 Lotus Elise SC 65.3 secs
12 Caterham Superlight R500 60.1 secs
13 KTM X-Bow 61.5 secs
14 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster 64.0 secs
15 Volkswagen Scirocco GT 68.6 secs
16 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X GSR FQ-360 64.0 secs
17 Corvette Z06 61.5 secs
18 Jaguar XF SV8 67.0 secs
19 Subaru Impreza WRX STi 66.3 secs
20 Abarth Grande Punto 71.5 secs
Don't know how the Mini made it so high up?
For a car that is over 5 years old, this result is even more amazing!
Performance Car of the Year 2008
1 Nissan GT-R 61.3 secs The Winner..
2 Porsche Cayman S 64.3 secs
3 MINI JCW 67.7 secs
4 BMW M3 Coupe 63.8 secs
5 Lamborghini LP560-4 60.5 secs
6 Renaultsport Clio Cup 68.7 secs
7 Mercedes SL63 AMG 64.6 secs
8 Mazda RX-8 R3 68.1 secs
9 Audi TT S 65.5 secs
10 Porsche 911 GT2 59.8 secs
11 Lotus Elise SC 65.3 secs
12 Caterham Superlight R500 60.1 secs
13 KTM X-Bow 61.5 secs
14 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster 64.0 secs
15 Volkswagen Scirocco GT 68.6 secs
16 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X GSR FQ-360 64.0 secs
17 Corvette Z06 61.5 secs
18 Jaguar XF SV8 67.0 secs
19 Subaru Impreza WRX STi 66.3 secs
20 Abarth Grande Punto 71.5 secs
10-23-2008, 03:13 PM
#8
Super Moderator
Thread Starter
No, this is how the cars finished/rated which also includes vehicles handling, brakes,etc.
10-23-2008, 04:56 PM
#10
the mini cooper jcw is a pure track car. its kind of equivalent to a spec miata.
pics.
http://jalopnik.com/cars/frankfurt-a...nge-299069.php
pics.
http://jalopnik.com/cars/frankfurt-a...nge-299069.php
10-23-2008, 06:51 PM
#11
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From the site: "As you check out the top 20, his time is shown along with a rating for track driving, road driving and desirability." I love my 8, and I wouldn't trade it for many cars on that list for what I use it for, but somebody else's opinion of road driving or desirability doesn't mean a hill of beans to me, as they're just that: opinions.
If somebody posted a list of their favorite cars on an internet forum, would you give a crap? Does it really make a difference if that list is then published in a magazine?
10-23-2008, 09:06 PM
#12
Super Moderator
Thread Starter
The reality is I can point to 3 separate Performance/Handling tests/ratings by separate "Driver Journalists" in 3 separate continents and every one of them rates the RX-8 way high.
Funnily they also come to the same conclusions.
Frankly if 'track" is what floats your boat (you will grow out of it) that is OK, but a car that is "fast" no longer gives me a boner, rather a YAWN.
Great a car is super fast, go around a corner and many fall over.
A real drivers car is not all about ponies it is the complete package, which includes handling, brakes, suspension, etc, etc.
This is why the RX-8 around the world has consistently scored way above its price and straight line speed.
As you know the RX-8 is an engineering masterpiece for what is does right, time and time again. Its quirks and wrongs are very minor.
Funnily they also come to the same conclusions.
Frankly if 'track" is what floats your boat (you will grow out of it
) that is OK, but a car that is "fast" no longer gives me a boner, rather a YAWN.Great a car is super fast, go around a corner and many fall over.
A real drivers car is not all about ponies it is the complete package, which includes handling, brakes, suspension, etc, etc.
This is why the RX-8 around the world has consistently scored way above its price and straight line speed.
As you know the RX-8 is an engineering masterpiece for what is does right, time and time again. Its quirks and wrongs are very minor.
10-24-2008, 10:42 AM
#15
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Thanks for the link! Really good read!
Like the video too...
Video with Comments
Video with R3 on track
Like the video too...
Video with Comments
Video with R3 on track
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