Super TestCar reviews - Mazda - RX-8 - rangeMazda modelsOverviewFive years in and Mazda's evergreen RX-8 rotary scores a mild midlife makeover3 Jul 2008 MAZDA has taken its sweet sports coupe and made it even more tasty when sampling its rich dynamics and rev-to-the-sky rotary engine. Among the many changes to the leading model of the Mazda sports car range, there is a frontal refresh, a new six-speed auto for two-pedal fans and a new GT model with enhanced suspension that gives those seeking a more focussed handling package a solution straight out of the box. The changes have come at a cost, though: the new RX-8 is marginally slower heavier and thirstier than its predecessor. Model release date: 1 July 2008 to 1 July 2012 All car reviewsAlfa Romeo Abarth Alpine Alpina Audi Aston Martin BMW Bentley Chevrolet Chery Citroen Chrysler Dodge Cupra Ferrari DS Ford Fiat FPV Foton GWM Great Wall Holden Haval HSV Honda Hyundai Hummer Isuzu Infiniti Jeep Jaguar Lamborghini Kia LDV Land Rover Lotus Lexus Maserati Mahindra McLaren Mazda Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-AMG Mini MG Nissan Mitsubishi Peugeot Opel Proton Porsche Renault Ram Rover Rolls-Royce Skoda Saab SsangYong Smart Suzuki Subaru Toyota Tesla Volvo Volkswagen Previous modelThe revolutionary RX-8 marked Mazda’s return to rotary sports cars in this country after a four-year break and introduced a novel concept of a four-seat, four-door sports coupe - with unique (for a coupe) rear-hinged rear doors. With a six-speed manual transmission, the RX-8’s 13B rotary developed 177kW at 8200rpm and 211Nm at 5500rpm until 2006 when noise emissions requirements nobbled the power output to 170kW at 8200rpm. The four-speed auto had a lower power output of 141kW at 7500rpm (although produced more torque, with 220Nm at 5000rpm) primarily because the auto could not spin to the high revs possible with the rotary. Prices started at $56,170 as a six-speed manual, with the four-speed auto $830 extra. |
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