2008/2009 Mazda RX-8 First Drive Review

For starters, Mazda have decorated its front gaping mouth with a sort of swollen upper lip, flanked by aggressively angled air-intakes which look somehow related to those on its mad Furai concept car. It has, however, kept that sleek, coupe styling with its trademark "suicide doors" still in place.

They've also given it new lights all around. The side signal indicators are now integrated with a tiny air vent, replacing the slightly vulgar slot-vents, while its rear lamps have been fitted with LEDs. There are also three choices of aluminium rims, from 17 to 19 inches, and they include details to subtly show the famous Wankel piston design.

Modifications have been made to its front and rear corners, and an engine undercover added, to improve air flow. As a result, it boasts a commendable drag coefficient (Cd) of just 0.30.

And if we really wanted to go into detail, you would be hearing about how the how the Type S and base grade models have "densely woven black fabric seat covers" while the Type E has a "finely perforated leather section".

But we won't. Chances are a good number of those who are seriously considering this car would probably want a set of Recaros or other bucket seats.

One letdown, however, was the aftermarket head-unit which matched the gorgeous rotary piston-inspired design cues as tastefully as putting a pink polka-dotted bikini on a Dobermann.

Never mind that, though, and on to the serious stuff.

Performance

While acceleration times of the RX-8 are not what one would call "slow", they're not heart-stopping either. So Mazda's engineers have given it new oil and water pumps in an attempt to improve performance and reliability.

Sorry, they still won't be close to stopping your heart, though.
Amongst its other changes, the new six-speed manual transmission receives lower gear ratios to quicken its pace off the line, while the automatic, or Activematic, as Mazda calls it, can swap gears with its paddle-shifters without the driver having to shift into Manual mode - a huge convenience over previous generations.

We tested the base grade six-speed automatic version and were slightly disappointed that despite Mazda's efforts to improve reliability and a little bit of performance, not much effort was made to whip its gearbox into shape and getting it to clock faster shift times.

Don't get me wrong, though, it still is remarkably smooth even under hard acceleration and a glance at the dyno chart confirmed my suspicions - its power curve is about as straight as I could draw without a ruler. Despite that, I couldn't help but feel constantly reined back by its transmission system which cuts off at only 7,500 rpm compared to the manual's screaming 9,000 rpm.

Handling

The driver's seat wasn't exactly pleasant because of the huge engine bulge in the foot-well area, but more importantly, it wasn't exactly a hindrance to lower limb mobility. Somehow, the designers and engineers have managed to find a brilliant compromise to squeeze in the engine behind the front axle (thus the bulge), and still adequately accommodate the driver.

Oddly though, there is no significant weight reduction. But Mazda did revamp its suspension quite a bit. Everything from the coil springs to the dampers has been optimised to improve ride quality and stability.

It still has that near 50-50 weight distribution, just like its previous models. There's no lack of turning capabilities. In fact, there's a tiny fraction less body roll and the chassis still responds almost instantaneously (not to forget, very kindly as well) to on-the-limit steering and throttle inputs.

Having a well-balanced platform, which sits comfortably in between the ranges of rock-hard sporty and fit-for-human-consumption, remains as one of its highlights.

You would find it difficult to think of another car, with a front mid-mounted engine, 2+2 style coupe and an engine that's smoother than the best teh-tarik in Singapore.




On the whole

There's no doubt that Mazda has made the RX-8 even better with the 2009 version. They haven't just adjusted the headlamps a little, fix in some LEDs and then call it a facelift. But as far as "facelifts" go, it isn't a liposuction. If you want something that is more appealing, get the Type RS.

Based on the six-speed manual of the Type S, but significantly better, you get exclusive aerodynamic parts, 19-inch forged aluminium wheels, Recaro seats and Bilstein dampers, amongst other additions. Even then, the Type RS still maintains its practicality.

For a year's worth of road tax, it'll cost you S$572. And if you're thinking that it is cheap, you'd be right. Except that its monthly fuel consumption might cost that amount, too, depending on how much you travel.

We averaged close to 7 km/l with a mix of "mostly economical driving", based on our imaginations about how the owner of such a car would usually drive. Multiply the costs for a year and your smile grows a little smaller than the one at the RX-8's front.

But keep reminding yourself of that superb chassis, excellent practicality for a coupe and cool looks and that grin might just get bigger again.


sgCarMart.com would like to thank Fabulous International for providing the car.