ON THE ROAD MAZDA RX-8; Amazing, all-round Wankel winner

THERE IS no other car quite like the Mazda RX-8. It has the singular body style to go with its singular engine, and it brings a whole new slant to the notion of a sporty GT coupe.

Its Audi arch-rival is a four-seater, but only just. The new Nissan 350Z and Chrysler Crossfire do not even attempt that feat. In the Mazda, though, we find not just a pair of habitable rear chairs but also dedicated doors through which to reach them. Mazda calls them "freestyle" doors; they are short and hinged on their rear edges, and have no pillar ahead of them against which to close.

Instead, they latch at the top and bottom of their front edges, to form the "pillars" against which the long front doors then shut. It is an inspired piece of packaging, but another piece of RX-8 is arguably even more inspired: its rotary engine.

This smooth-spinning, piston-less engine design, invented by German engineer Felix Wankel, was first used in an NSU sports car. It gained equal adulation and notoriety powering NSU's fabulous but flawed Ro80 saloon of 1967, a futuristic car whose warranty claims sunk its maker, but Mazda, which has made rotary-engined cars since 1967's Cosmo Sport 110S, rendered it reliable.

But Mazda could not solve the fuel thirst and noxious emissions, which is why the RX-7, descendant of a sports coupe line begun in the 1970s, was denied to Europe after 1997 although buyers on the Japanese home market could purchase one until last year.

Now, the RX-8's new "RENESIS" (Rotary Engine Genesis) engine has fixed the emissions and economy issues well enough to satisfy EC pollution police, and we can again enjoy an engine with less vibration than any other internal- combustion unit. Its two convex- triangular rotors sweep chambers with 1,308cc total volume, but because of the way the engine works this equates to 2,616cc of normal motor.

You can sense the difference as soon as you start it. The sound is halfway between a regular straight-six and a two-stroke engine without the pops and bangs. This Mazda comes with a choice of power outputs, the regular 192bhp matched to a five-speed gearbox (pounds 20,000) and the Hi-Power with 231bhp, xenon headlights with washers, aluminium pedals and, crucially, a six-speed gearbox. It costs an extra pounds 2,000, and is worth every penny.

I drove the 192bhp version first. It looks just like the more powerful RX-8 apart from the lack of headlamp washers, with front wheel arches so bold and a bonnet so tapered it almost seems to have the separate front wings of a pre-war sports car. And then there are the engine-rotor motifs, on the lower front air intake, the rear foglight, the holes in the headrests and on the gearlever. They are there to remind you; apparently, many American RX-7 owners did not even know their cars had rotary engines.

First, the downsides. The perforated sunvisors do not shield the sun well. The accelerator response can be snatchy, there is engine surge in traffic and occasionally the transmission clonks. Then, when you are out on a fast, open road you find the engine runs out of puff on hills so you have to downshift and rev it to oblivion.

But, on the bends, the RX-8 is total joy. The steering's response is instant and precise, a true mechanical connection to the front wheels without the initial uncertainty found in the Mazda's key rivals. The front wheels bite cleanly into the road, and you can power out of corners with that balanced, slingshot feeling only a powerful rear-wheel drive car can give. It also feels solid and well- made, so the firm suspension does not result in a turbulent ride. But should it not feel a little faster?

It should, which is why the Hi-Power is the RX-8 to have. The engine revs to crazy heights (well past 8,000rpm) and that extra gear exploits this broader rev-range. It does not matter that the engine speeds are higher because it is so smooth and musical, and the engine is never caught napping because there is always a suitable gear to keep it interested. I have not driven a more beguiling engine all year.

In every major way, this is the best of the new breed of sporty coupes. The driver of a grey-import RX-7, who followed me for miles before passing with a thumbs-up, thought so too.

Model: Mazda RX-8 Hi-Power;

Price: pounds 22,000 (on sale October);

Engine: 1,308cc rotary, two rotors, no valves, 231bhp at 8,200rpm;

Transmission: Six-speed gearbox, rear-wheel drive;

Performance: 146mph, 0-60 in 6.4sec, 24.8mpg (official average);

CO2: 284g/km.

Mazda Hits Home Run With RX-8 Styling, Price Point; - New Rotary-Powered RX-8 Is a Sports Car Like No Other -

Mazda hit the sweet spot when it debuted the all-new, rotary-powered RX-8 sports car in January at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. With an athletically sculpted exterior and one-of-a-kind rotary engine, the Mazda RX-8 is priced from $25,180 with a 210-horsepower engine and four-speed automatic transmission. Equipped with a 250-horsepower engine, six-speed manual transmission and 18-inch wheels and tires, the RX-8 is priced from $26,680. It is propelled by the all-new 13B RENESIS rotary engine and is the latest in a three-decade-long line of Mazda rotary-powered vehicles.

Mazda continues to pioneer cutting-edge styling with the RX-8's unique freestyle four-door design, effectively demonstrating that a true sports car does not need to sacrifice space or convenience. With enough passenger room for four full-size adults and enough trunk space to fit luggage for a weekend or two full-size golf bags, soulful driving is no longer solely for the driver.

Both automatic and manual transmission cars come equipped with power windows, mirrors and door locks, cruise control and an AM/FM/CD audio system with six speakers. To make ordering easy, both the automatic and manual are offered in four trim packages: a Base Model, Sport Package, Touring Package and Grand Touring Package. Priced from $1,100 for the manual transmission Sport Package to $4,600 for the automatic Grand Touring Package, they include accoutrements like Xenon headlights, Dynamic Stability Control with traction control, a BOSE(R) audio system, heated seats and leather trimmed upholstery.

The RX-8 delivers unprecedented sports car driving pleasure with the RENESIS rotary engine offering smooth, immediate power. Double wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension, complemented by electric power-assisted steering, yields razor sharp handling.

In addition to being the most revolutionary and cutting-edge sports car, the RX-8 is also one of the safest with standard features like ABS with Electronic Brake Distribution, front- and seat-mounted airbags as well as side air curtains. Mazda also incorporated high-strength steel construction for the side paneling and a special door-latch system in the freestyle door openings to create a solid exterior shell. The RX-8 is truly a sports car like no other at a value like no other.

The Mazda RX-8 comes with a four-year roadside assistance program. With a call to a toll-free number, RX-8 owners can access roadside assistance 24 hours a day, 365 days a year throughout the United States and Canada. For all 2003 Mazda vehicles, the company will provide a free loaner car in the event a warrantable condition requires alternative transportation.

The RX-8 is covered by a comprehensive four-year/50,000-mile warranty that covers every part on the vehicle except those subject to normal wear. In addition, the RX-8 is covered by a five-year/unlimited-mileage corrosion warranty.

Mazda North American Operations is responsible for the sales and marketing, customer parts and services support of Mazda vehicles in the United States.

Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., MNAO has more than 700 dealerships nationwide.

Mazda Rx-8 Review - a Review of the 2008 Mazda Rx-8 Coupe

The 2008 Mazda RX-8 is fast and reliable, with several features that guarantee speed, comfort, and safety. Interesting features include the Mazda advanced keyless entry and start system and unique “freestyle” doors that provide ease and convenience for a very thrilling ride.

The Mazda RX-8 has several standard safety features like air bags in the front and side for the driver and passengers. Three- point front seatbelts with pretensions and force limiters are also provided. To ensure safety, the RX-8 also has a Tire Pressure Monitoring System and an Anti- lock Brake System. Moreover, it is also equipped with a Dynamic Stability Control with Traction Control System. On the other hand, an alarm system and engine immobilizer also adds protection and security.

This extraordinary sports car has CFC- free air conditioning and heat absorbent tinted glass with sunshade windshield. Moreover, it has front fog lamps and halogen headlights.

The RX-8 also comes with four full- size bucket seats with integrated head restraints, which provide protection against whiplash. In addition, the RX-8 comes with a DVD- navigation system with retractable 7” LCD screen. An AM/FM stereo with single CD player and 6 speakers are also provided.

On the other hand, these models outclass standard sports cars with its powerful RENESIS rotary engine. Its 232- hp 6-speed MT and an impressive 9000 rpm redline make it one of the fastest.

Features such as the moonroof made of power sliding glass with one touch open feature and sunshade provide comfort especially for long rides.

The 2008 Mazda RX-8 is a car that combines speed, safety, class, technology, and road power, living up to its name as “The Sportscar That Never Met Its Match”.