 |
||
Some performance guys say, "There is no replacement for displacement." That would be argued by a new generation that thrives on tuning small displacement engines to produce massive amounts of horsepower. Sure there is a lot to be said for the big V8's of the muscle car era but I find some of the new technology simply fascinating. One of the most fascinating engine technology developed in the last 30 years has been the rotary engine. First popularized in the 1978 Mazda RX-7, a rotary engine is unlike any other powerplant on the planet. It's been almost 10 years since Mazda marketed the rotary powered engine in the United States but it's back in a completely new breathtaking RX-8. Creating a completely original sports car segment, Mazda offers a true sports car look and feel with the practicality of four-doors accessibility and seating for four. From aggressive bulges of the front fender to the sporty rear end, you will find cues of rotary design faintly reproduced throughout the body. The vehicle looks and feels more like a two door sports car than even a coupe, but the "freestyle" or "suicide" doors provide unprecedented access to the surprisingly comfortable rear seat. Overall the design is both classic and fresh in the tradition of the most significant sports cars. It's behind the wheel that the excitement really begins. From the moment you fire up the rotary engine you notice a different sound and feel. While most piston engines cycle about 5,500 revolutions per minute you immediately notice the 9,000 RPM red-line on the new Renesis (for rotary and genesis) engine. It is impolite to drive the RX 8 without regularly visiting the 5,000 to 8,000 RPM range where this engine really likes to play. Arguably the most popular muscle car engine was the General Motors 350 cubic inch or 5.7 Liter engine, which displaced almost three 2-liter coke bottles worth of fuel air mixture every revolution of its eight cylinders. This 1.3 Liter Rotary engine is not even 1/4 the size of that big V8 but produces an astonishing 238 horsepower without forced injection like the previous 250HP RX-7 Turbo. Aftermarket geeks are in full speed to develop and test long term effects of turbochargers boosting horsepower to the 400-500 HP range with as little as 4-8 PSI of boost. While the rotary engine is very efficient in producing horsepower it is not as efficient in using fuel, with a published EPA rating of 25 miles per gallon on the highway and 18 in the city. Of course this car begs you to push the RPM's, which makes for a high "fun factor" but does not make for the best fuel economy. The reduced weight of the engine allows Mazda to divide 3,000 pounds of vehicle weight in a perfect 50/50 distribution between front and rear wheels. Powering through the curves of a winding rural drivers road at the high end of the RPM range and this weight advantage make for a thrilling experience. I know you can buy the RX-8 in an automatic version for $1,100 less than the close ratio 6-speed manual with overdrive but you will lose over 40 horsepower and miss the excitement of that makes this car so special. My friends at Blue Ridge Mazda in Raytown set me up with this solid black Grand Touring version. Everywhere I parked, the car attracted a crowd. Reasonably priced and beautifully sculptured this car is about as much fun as you should be allowed to have. With the extra practicality of the four seats, it is a sure winner for sports car enthusiasts.
Mazda RX 8
MSRP as tested: $31,200
Providing Dealer: Blue Ridge Mazda
Additional Web only Information and Resources For Additional Reviews: |
©2003 - Stan Risener