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By Jesse Crosse
16 July 2008 14:21
Mazda has been producing rotary engines since the year dot and they’ve become the company’s trademark long after others have given up on the idea. Yet rotary engines – like the new Mazda RX-8’s – are hard to justify.
Compared to a piston engine, they were always known for gobbling fuel, using oil and suffering from premature wear. The upside is they sound fantastic and go like the clappers, the RX-8’s revving to 9000rpm before the rev limiter calls time.
The Mazda RX-8 was originally launched in 2003 and has just undergone a facelift emerging as the RX8 R3. It’s got the latest RENESIS twin-rotor engine in which, after donkeys years of development, most of those problems have been licked. It’s also had a makeover in other areas too.
Externally, there’s a standard Sports Styling Pack with new front bumper, side skirts, rear wing and the RX-8 also gets 19-inch wheels clad with 225/40 tyres. But as you discover from the driving seat in the first half mile, there have been a few changes under the skin.
The bodyshell has been stiffened and dampers, springs, bushes and anti-roll bars revised including the use of Bilstein sports suspension and a urethane-filled front cross member. At the rear, the multi-link suspension has been tuned to improve both the ride and handling.
The RENESIS rotary engine has undergone a few subtle changes too, such as an improved oil metering system (the engine mixes tiny amounts of oil with the fuel to lubricate the rotor tips) and there’s a new type of knock sensor.
Click ‘Next’ to read our on-road driving impressions of the Mazda RX-8 R3
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Mazda RX-8 R3 (2008) CAR review
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dinox8 says
RE: Mazda RX-8 R3 (2008) CAR review
You cannot discount a good thing - if you want a great sports coupe you buy the fantastic RX8 or you will just have to work harder and get older to enjoy a fast car with fantastic handling. That means work harder or be patient until you can afford the fun things that cost money. Some fun things don't cost money - try ice-cream.
09 November 2008 23:05
rx88 says
Why do writers always Whinge about Fuel consumption... It's a bloody sports car, not a family car. For the price there is still NOTHING on the road today that is so much fun, quality and value. Nothing. The RX-8 has always had a superb Chassis, so I don't know where the writer thinks the old model was So SO???.. The RX-8 is a engineering masterpiece, all over the world it rates in the top ten for performance, handling, braking and did I say FUN. Even up against Sports Cars that are 10 times the price of the Mazda. It is a complete package, if you want blistering straight line speed, buy something else, but, watch your rear view around corners this car will catch you.
01 November 2008 03:41
blubberfish says
RE: Mazda RX8 R3 CAR review
How long will cars that are relatively cheap to buy but use lots of fuel be viable? Big Merc and Rolls owners will always be able to buy fuel but the Impreza, RX8 buyers may soon find it hard to justify the 'fuel used versus fun had' ratio.
26 July 2008 13:16
Blasos says
The rotary engine is great but it will have to be modified for better fuel consumption and emissions as other manufacturers are far ahead in these areas.
22 July 2008 15:29
a t o m i c says
AReader and joedodgy, could you possibly shut up for 5 minutes?
18 July 2008 11:22
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