2008 Mazda RX-8 Grand Touring 4dr Coupe (1.3L 2rtr 6M) - CNET Reviews
If there is any justification for Mazda's claim to being the brand of "zoom zoom" driving, it is the RX-8 coupe. With its tiny rotary engine, chiseled exterior profile, and racing heritage, the RX-8 is an attractive and individual package that competes with cars above its price range. Not much has changed in the drive train, exterior styling, or cabin tech of the RX-8 since its launch in 2004. Besides a slight reduction in power (the current model's 1. 3-liter Renesis twin rotor engine delivers less horsepower than its '05... (An updated 2009 model of the RX-8 is scheduled to be unveiled at next month's Detroit auto show, we hear. Having driven the RX-8 around for a few days, we realized that, despite the car 's obvious sporty character, there was a conspicuous lack of power at the low end of the rpm range--attributable primarily to the small displacement of the rotary engine. What better test, we figured, than running some 0-to-60 tests, experimenting with different throttle input strategies to get the most out of the engine. Source: www.cnet.com
