Mazda RX8
Robert Farago joins the Rotary Club
Fancy a game of “spot the triangle”? The RX8 wants to play. I spotted a triangle between the exhausts, in the front spoiler, embedded in the bonnet, under the headrests and on the top of the gear lever. They’re there to remind us that Mazda’s top-shelf sports car has a rotary engine, which consists of two triangle-shaped rotors, four spark plugs and… that’s about it. So what? Most drivers wouldn’t care if their car was powered by racing hamsters - just as long as it doesn’t break.
As you might expect from a car with a four-year, 50,000-mile, bumper-to-bumper warranty, the RX8 is reliable enough. Any doubts about this singular machine centre on its performance and handling, rather than its quirky propulsion. Sports car buyers want to know one thing: how’s it drive? To which the only possible answer is “like a motorcycle”.
Excluding the two-wheeled dinosaurs known as Harley Davidsons, motorcycles are known for their light weight and hi revs. In the hands of Japanese engineers, the combination creates the kind of visceral acceleration and telepathic handling that leads large numbers of speed-crazed kids straight into a tree. Still, it’s fun while it lasts - the same sort of fun provided by the featherweight, rpm-mad RX8. Here’s how it works…
In Practice
Imagine you’re zizzing along in third gear, waiting for an opportunity to put pedal to metal. The instant you floor it, the RX8’s tacho needle begins an Olympic sprint around the dial straight to - hold on, is that really 9000rpms? “Nine”, as in one before “ten”? After a few seconds spent listening to the binging rev limiter, you look down at the speedo and discover you’re doing over 80mph, with three more gears available for your dining and dancing pleasure. All of which offer identical levels of blender-smooth grunt and go.
Slot the flyweight gearbox into fourth, fifth or sixth. Guide the RX8 into a bend. Notice that the turn-in is quick, crisp and accurate. As you seek out the apex of the turn, the RX8’s perfectly-balanced chassis adjusts to your throttle and helm inputs both intimately and infinitely. You can change your attitude mid-corner without life-threatening repercussions.
Grip
Meanwhile, the 18” Bridgestones grab the tarmac with well-mannered tenaciousness. The suspension, though comfort-biased, absorbs surface imperfections with no appreciable loss of traction. Around you go; no fuss, no muss. More curves? A little over-taking perhaps? With just 2.9 turns from lock-to-lock, you can use the RX8’s electrically-assisted rack and pinion steering to flick the car back and forth like a sports bike.
Put it all together, make liberal use of the RX8’s serious stoppers, and you’re free to thrash this 1373 kilo rice rocket to an inch of its/your life. It takes a major act of demented hooliganism to get the car bent out of shape - and even then a reasonable driver has an excellent shot at regaining control.
The RX8’s sure-footed velvety prowess demands a bit of mental acclimatization. The lack of engine noise (up to 5000rpms) and vibration makes full acceleration so effortless that pressing on becomes the default option. Temperate throttle use (i.e. protecting your driving license) requires considerable restraint. Resisting the urge to carry the RX8’s perpetually-mounting speed through the twisty bits is equally daunting. Because you can, you do.
Looking Good?
Getting comfortable with the RX8’s exterior design is also a bit of a “challenge”. This beholder found little beauty to delight his eye. The front’s open-wheel-racer look is way cool, but the truncated back end and hideous rear window leave me cold. I also reckon the 8’s terminally cheerful Pokemon face looks better on the chick-friendly MX5 than this, their no-holds-barred sports car.
Actually, I lie. Despite its rapid pace (0 to 60 in 5.9 seconds) and sterling road manners, the RX8 is not a hard-core street racer like its RX7 predecessor. For one thing, the RX8’s suspension doesn’t blur your vision and loosen your fillings. For another, it comes with rear seats. OK, they only accommodate small children, and you’d have to leave the car chairs at home, but hey, they’re more than big enough for a baby boomer to point out to his wife and say, “See? I told you it’s sensible.”
And so it is. The RX8 offers enthusiasts reasonable practicality and tremendous value for money. Tick every available option - six-speed gearbox, bigger engine, traction control, bi-xenon headlights, fog lights, heated leather seats, Bose audio system with 6-CD changer, power moonroof, the works - and you’d still be hard-pressed to spend $32k (UK Price ~£23,400). There aren’t a whole lot of sports cars at that price that can keep up with the RX8. In fact, when it comes to bang for the buck, the RX8’s only real competition is… a motorcycle.
Robert Farago
Links
The RX-8 is an all new car and was never intended as a replacement for the RX-7. There are still plans afoot for an all new RX-7, dependent on the success of the RX-8.
Previously the RX-7's engine was unique to that car, the new RX-7 would likely use the Renesis engine from the RX-8 in turbo charged form, which would presumably reduce production costs for a new RX-7, especially if it ended up sharing the same platform.
Phil.
BT52 said:
Some comment about how 15-20 mpg is usual would perhaps have been in order here.
I know of at least one car that was actually rejected due to this.
They are working on the flooding issue but you're never going to see much more than 20mpg.
Have a look at this :
www.rx8ownersclub.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=945
Real data from RX-8 owners. Fill ups are around 50 litres.
The bulk of results are between 200 miles per tank (18mpg) and 23mpg. I get 19- 24 average with 17 lowest (track) and 26 highest(motorway). I usualy do urban crawl miles and the car hates that, far happier on open roads.
Mostly its driving with excessive revs (easy) that hurts fuel economy. The only time I stuck below 3750 (2nd injector revs) I got 25% more mpg than normal.
Several owners have achieved 30mpg amazingly.
My car is probably down on power and economy due to a broke cat thats being replaced soon.
) and I imagine that Robert is just trying to get a point across but I really hate it when a car is compared to a motorcycle. No car is anything like a motorcycle... even a westfield or any other seven, I've got a westfield and it isn't like a motorcycle, not one bit. Even if a westfield had a motorcycle engine in it it still wouldn't be anything like a motorcycle I suspect. Anyone who believes a car is like a motorcycle has never ridden a motorcycle and should get a motorcycle and stop being a big frilly shirted pansy and find out what having a motorcycle is all about. ...and breath
Mark
>> Edited by dern on Friday 30th April 16:40
dern said:
... but I really hate it when a car is compared to a motorcycle. No car is anything like a motorcycle... Anyone who believes a car is like a motorcycle has never ridden a motorcycle and should get a motorcycle and stop being a big frilly shirted pansy and find out what having a motorcycle is all about.
Mark
Motorcycles are great, except
- every single person I have ever known to have ridden a motorcycle has had a bad accident on one (100%). There's a reason paramedics call them "donor cycles"
- if you don't at least get a bike with ABS to give you some margin for error you are truly crazy
- you do wear earplugs don't you? Wind noise causes hearing loss, and a helmet only very slightly reduces the noise. At highway speeds the noise is over 110 db, and a helmet only reduces this by 3 db. Good earplugs reduce noise by 30 db.
So now every time you ride you better wear a full face helmet (know how many faces get scraped off in motorcycle accidents when the rider is wearing one of those cool shorty helmets?), full leathers, proper boots, earplugs, on an ABS equiped bike - and then you can start to worry about car drivers. One lapse of concentration and your dead - that's the biggest difference between a bike and a car, in a car you can make mistakes and the car is forgiving (4 wheels, crumple zones), on a bike one mistake and you're dead.
All the cool Ducati ads won't help you then ...
stevenrt said:This is a myth spread by people who are too scared to ride a bike or by people who are trying to convince their nearest and dearest not to ride. Of all the people I know that ride bike personally, none have had a major accident. Several have fallen off but not been badly hurt. I know of several people who have been killed while driving their cars... that doesn't make car driving in herently lethal any more than your assumption makes bike riding inherently lethal.
- every single person I have ever known to have ridden a motorcycle has had a bad accident on one (100%). There's a reason paramedics call them "donor cycles"
stevenrt said:Nonsense. I've never had a bike with ABS and never needed it. You're margin of error is your brain. Car drivers who rely solely on their driver aids such as ABS, traction control and airbags are the ones heading for disaster in my opinion. You need to take responsibility for your ability to control your vehicle without these driver aids.
- if you don't at least get a bike with ABS to give you some margin for error you are truly crazy
stevenrt said:Yes, we know.
- you do wear earplugs don't you? Wind noise causes hearing loss, and a helmet only very slightly reduces the noise. At highway speeds the noise is over 110 db, and a helmet only reduces this by 3 db. Good earplugs reduce noise by 30 db.
stevenrt said:No you're not. I've heard it all before... you are not as safe in your car as you think you are, not by a mile. There's always a stack more options of what to do in any situation on a bike purely because of its size and manoeuvrability. I know motorcycling is undoubtedly riskier but if we thought we could get the same enjoyment out of driving a car that's "as close to a motorcycle as you can get" then we'd get one of those instead, wouldn't we?
So now every time you ride you better wear a full face helmet (know how many faces get scraped off in motorcycle accidents when the rider is wearing one of those cool shorty helmets?), full leathers, proper boots, earplugs, on an ABS equiped bike - and then you can start to worry about car drivers. One lapse of concentration and your dead - that's the biggest difference between a bike and a car, in a car you can make mistakes and the car is forgiving (4 wheels, crumple zones), on a bike one mistake and you're dead.
Don't assume motorcyclists are stupid or crazy just because we don't pander to your own fears. This is just the sort of ill-informed nonsense that gets on my t*ts... get some experience and your opinion will be more informed... you may even enjoy it (assuming you can do it... it is significantly more difficult that driving a car I grant you and not everyone can overcome their fears or has the ability to actually ride a bike
) Regards,
Mark
dern said:
- every single person I have ever known to have ridden a motorcycle has had a bad accident on one (100%). There's a reason paramedics call them "donor cycles"
This is a myth spread by people who are too scared to ride a bike or by people who are trying to convince their nearest and dearest not to ride. Of all the people I know that ride bike personally, none have had a major accident. Several have fallen off but not been badly hurt. I know of several people who have been killed while driving their cars... that doesn't make car driving in herently lethal any more than your assumption makes bike riding inherently lethal.stevenrt said:
- if you don't at least get a bike with ABS to give you some margin for error you are truly crazy
Nonsense. I've never had a bike with ABS and never needed it. You're margin of error is your brain. Car drivers who rely solely on their driver aids such as ABS, traction control and airbags are the ones heading for disaster in my opinion. You need to take responsibility for your ability to control your vehicle without these driver aids.stevenrt said:
- you do wear earplugs don't you? Wind noise causes hearing loss, and a helmet only very slightly reduces the noise. At highway speeds the noise is over 110 db, and a helmet only reduces this by 3 db. Good earplugs reduce noise by 30 db.
Yes, we know.stevenrt said:
So now every time you ride you better wear a full face helmet (know how many faces get scraped off in motorcycle accidents when the rider is wearing one of those cool shorty helmets?), full leathers, proper boots, earplugs, on an ABS equiped bike - and then you can start to worry about car drivers. One lapse of concentration and your dead - that's the biggest difference between a bike and a car, in a car you can make mistakes and the car is forgiving (4 wheels, crumple zones), on a bike one mistake and you're dead.
No you're not. I've heard it all before... you are not as safe in your car as you think you are, not by a mile. There's always a stack more options of what to do in any situation on a bike purely because of its size and manoeuvrability. I know motorcycling is undoubtedly riskier but if we thought we could get the same enjoyment out of driving a car that's "as close to a motorcycle as you can get" then we'd get one of those instead, wouldn't we?
Don't assume motorcyclists are stupid or crazy just because we don't pander to your own fears. This is just the sort of ill-informed nonsense that gets on my t*ts... get some experience and your opinion will be more informed... you may even enjoy it (assuming you can do it... it is significantly more difficult that driving a car I grant you and not everyone can overcome their fears or has the ability to actually ride a bike
Regards,
Mark
You are 16 times more likely to die on a motorbike than a car, a fact borne by statistics which belies your protestations about the bad rap motorcycles get. Aside from death, do you know ANYONE who regularly rides a motorbike that has not injured themselves? I don't, with a sample size of at least a dozen people. I don't know a single person who has injured themselves driving a car, despite many accidents among them all.
With two wheels you have no passive stability, so if you lock a wheel under heavy braking you lose your gyroscopic stability and over you go. This is why ABS is essential at a minimum. Anyone saying otherwise is fooling themselves that their skill conquers all. Beware - overconfidence is one of the leading causes of motorcycle accidents, and you sound supremely overconfident.
Just two weeks ago a female motorcyclist here in Melbourne died because a car evading police did a U turn on the highway right in front of her. Car or bike, you would have hit him, but in a car you most likely would have survived the impact. That's the thing about bikes, if something goes you are most likely dead or seriously injured.
Maybe I won't get the same visceral thrills in a Lotus Elise as on a bike, but then I won't go deaf, will corner faster, won't crash if I lock the front wheels, won't automatically die when some idiot driver slams into me, won't have to wear head to toe protective clothing if I want to quickly go to the shop for some groceries, won't freeze in winter, etc ...
Don't assume that all those who don't ride don't understand what a bike has to offer, but have decided the rewards don't outweigh the risks.
stevenrt said:Yes, me.
You are 16 times more likely to die on a motorbike than a car, a fact borne by statistics which belies your protestations about the bad rap motorcycles get. Aside from death, do you know ANYONE who regularly rides a motorbike that has not injured themselves?
stevenrt said:I have never locked up a front wheel for more than the briefest moment. It isn't an issue... learn to ride a bike and you will see.
With two wheels you have no passive stability, so if you lock a wheel under heavy braking you lose your gyroscopic stability and over you go. This is why ABS is essential at a minimum. Anyone saying otherwise is fooling themselves that their skill conquers all. Beware - overconfidence is one of the leading causes of motorcycle accidents, and you sound supremely overconfident.
stevenrt said:You may have made that decision for yourself but please don't try and present your misinformed opinion as fact. I agree that motorcycling is risky but it isn't a ticket to certain death... unless I'm speaking to you from the beyond which seems unlikely.
Don't assume that all those who don't ride don't understand what a bike has to offer, but have decided the rewards don't outweigh the risks.
Mark
I ride about 10,000ks a year on my motorbike and have never crashed it. Im the only one of my friends that hasnt though.
Anyway back to the RX8.
Seems like a good write up and a good car. Still waiting on my opportunity to find out for myself but what Ive seen so far I like.
Would the writer like to explain how exactly he plans to upgrade to a bigger motor
At the end of the day though Id still prefer an FD3S RX7. Better looking and faster
dejoux said:
Would the writer like to explain how exactly he plans to upgrade to a bigger motor
At the end of the day though Id still prefer an FD3S RX7. Better looking and faster
Bigger motor? Someone in US has already placed a 800-1100bhp triple rotor turbo (from cosmo) in the rx-8. And there are several turbo kits coming out soon.
I'll not argue the 3rd gen rx-7 was better looking, but its a different kind of car, and IMO a classic too. Suprisingly around the right track he 8 is as quick as the old 7, but no way in a straight line.
I doubt it. The RX7 is Mazda's flag carrier...RX8 will be cool and capture a bigger market but... they will have to make an RX7 weapon to give the RX8 credibility. There is room for both . . .
Engine pep:
RX8, Panspeed, 505ps 11000rpm bolt on turbo kit
www.jt-imports.com/Turbo_Kits_&_Upgrades_Page.htm
Edit to post www.iluvmyrx7.com/other/articles/t-0000/index.htm
this kinda fun. Think it suits the MX nicely for the current engine is so dul . . .
>> Edited by dinkel on Monday 3rd May 08:44
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