Mazda makes an exciting range of cars, from the compact Mazda 3 all the way to the classic MX-5 to the range topping RX-8 coupe. This applies not only to their top-class engines but also their high quality interior finishes and use of premium materials.
The RX-8 coupe offers sedan style seating arrangements; with its rear seat comfortable seating tall adults, and a roof that does not fold back.
The driving position, with its stretched-out close to the ground feeling, reminds you of the sportier RX-7. But with the rear seat behind you know that you are in a truly different class of sports motoring.
The Mazda RX-8 is a lively production car, keeping in contact with road at all times, riding flat and energetically. The curving B-roads gives drivers an opportunity to test their ability behind the steering wheel, but overall the handling remains tight and composed with its chassis and suspension set-up.
The heart of the RX-8, however, lies in its 1.3-liter twin-rotor rotary piston engine which offers bass hum at low speeds, and high shrieking noise when revved to the redline. The power range is best suited at mid-high revolutions for the best performance, but while at lower ‘city’ revolutions the power remains adequate. In fact, the RX-8 was received the honor of being named the car that was least likely to rollover by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The engine is coupled with a short-throw six-speed gearbox, which offers the rotary engine a chance to produce its linear thrust forward and thrust forwarded slightly at the top-end. An optional four-speed automatic box is available for those who desire the ease of laid back driving. To accommodate the automatic transmission the rotary engine is re-tuned to produce decreased horsepower but increased torque.
