Mazda RX-8

REINVIGOR-EIGHTED
The RX-8 has been a huge hit for Mazda. It’s now been updated to keep it at the top of its game. Andy Enright reports

I’ll be honest with you. When the Mazda RX-8 was launched I was near to tears. The RX-7, one of my favourite ever sports cars, was dead and in its place was a less focused, rather dumpier contrivance with four doors. At virtually the same time, Nissan launched the 350Z and I switched allegiances rather quickly. A subsequent ballyhoo about Mazda exaggerating power claims for the RX-8 further entrenched my view that the company has dropped the ball in a big way. Then I looked at the sales figures. UK buyers couldn’t get enough of the RX-8. I tried again with the car and found that while it was a very different car to the RX-7, it had much to recommend it. Sales have remained strong but time waits for no vehicle and the RX-8 has been given a freshening without departing radically from the basic theme.

What hasn’t changed a great deal is the Mazda’s unique selling proposition, that 1.3-litre twin rotor RENESIS rotary engine. Quite unlike any other engine, the RX-8’s unit wheezes and sighs its way around the road network with the sound growing in intensity as you approach the redline at a fearsome 8,200rpm in the most powerful car. It’s great fun and the whole experience is enhanced but the direct steering, the taught, grippy chassis and the snappy gearchange with its tiny palm-sized triangular shifter. The 0-62mph sprint is covered by the 228bhp model in a handy 6.4s and there’s a 146mph top speed so this is a serious performance car. The less powerful model gets a shot in the arm, lifting power from 189bhp to 202bhp.

The latest RX-8 features improved body rigidity courtesy of additional structural reinforcements, namely a trapezoidal bracing bar between the front suspension towers and enhanced rigidity of the tower areas.  Also, the rear suspension geometry has been reconfigured for better handling performance and driveshaft rigidity is improved, lowering NVH (Noise Vibration and Harshness) levels and improving performance. In addition, the differential gear ratio is lowered for improved off-the-line performance. These changes give RX-8 increased acceleration and performance, as well as even greater responsiveness to the accelerator pedal. 

"The RX-8 has been a phenomenmal success and sales are barely slowing"

So what has Mazda done to the RX-8 in this mid life facelift? The front and rear bumpers and headlamps are revised and the rear lamps now feature twin circular LEDs. Bigger diameter exhaust pipes and a sharper five-spoke alloy wheel design now measuring 19 inches in diameter are also among the highlights. Drop inside and you’ll spot the redesigned instrument panel, better front and rear seats and a beefier steering wheel. The colour of the instrument cluster has also been changed to reduce eye strain.

Some things haven’t changed. You’ll still feel like you’re in a sports car from the moment you slip behind the wheel of the Mazda RX-8 with the snug seating and the high transmission tunnel that splits the cab into four pods. The super stubby gear lever with its triangular head feels great in the hand and the generous seat adjustment means it’s easy for taller drivers to get comfortable. The rear accommodation can cope with two adults in the back without any fuss with simple access via the wide side door aperture. You get a decent boot as well, so family weekends away are easily within the car’s remit.

We’ve established that Mazda’s RX-8 is an unorthodox proposition but does it warrant selection ahead of capable and desirable rivals like Alfa Romeo’s Brera, Nissan’s 350Z or Audi’s TT? If you value the versatility of those four seats, then most certainly, and the latest version stands up as a drivers car in its own right. The RX-8 R3 is a sport package that features a sportier suspension setup with Bilstein shock absorbers and urethane front suspension crossmembers. A bigger rear spoiler and the addition of side sills, fog lights and a more aggressive front bumper are added as well as 19-inch alloys with high performance tyres, Recaro sports seats and leather trim for the steering wheel, handbrake and gear lever.

Even the standard models are well finished with optional extras like leather seats and satellite navigation to consider. The RX-8 has long been very competitively priced and it’s well worth keeping your eyes peeled for any special edition models that are rolled out as these sharpen the value proposition still further.

Despite packing an engine of just 1.3-litres in capacity, the more powerful RX-8 can only manage 25mpg and hefty 284g/km emissions, figures that are no better than rival models boasting 3.0-litre V6 power. If you’re put off by the prospect of having such an idiosyncratic piece of machinery under your bonnet, don’t be. The Mazda rotary engine has been developed over many years and has proven itself to be reliable although it pays to get into the habit of checking the oil regularly.

Considering the RX-8 lacks a prestige badge, residual values for the car are buoyant. The used market traditionally values practical vehicles highly and sports coupes don’t come any more practical than this. Together with the low purchase price, this helps to make an RX-8 a sound investment. Insurance groups are 15 for the standard car and 16 for the higher powered version.

There are faster and better looking sports coupes than Mazda’s RX-8 but as a practical and charismatic all-round package offering excellent value for money, it’s difficult to beat. The rotary engine and unorthodox door layout might look gimmicky to the casual observer but on trying the car you quickly appreciate that they really do work and the rest of the RX-8 isn’t bad either. Impressive build quality, an involving driving experience and surprising levels of comfort all go to make the RX-8 a winner.

It’s not perfect by any stretch of the imagination. There remains a question mark over the engine’s economy and the rear seat occupants don’t get much of a view out. The latest changes will also go unnoticed by many. Still, it’s worth looking at the big picture. How many cars can offer four full-size seats, a substantial boot, serious performance and sports car handling for under £25,000? Your search for an answer can only lead you to your local Mazda dealer.