2008 Mazda RX-8 Review Summary & Specs

Sport Coupe
Four-seat sports car.

Summary & Specs

reviewed by New Car Test Drive
2008 Mazda RX-8 Review

The Mazda RX-8 is a unique sports car. Its four-seat, four-door configuration is an original design that works. The rotary engine is super smooth, simple, high-revving and almost indestructible. It's complemented by a beautiful six-speed gearbox and great brakes. The RX-8 is a great sports car with an innovative approach and admirable engineering.

NewCarTestDrive.com correspondent Sam Moses filed this report from Irvine, California, with Mitch McCullough reporting from Los Angeles.

Specs

Vehicle Category Sports Cars
Editor New Car Test Drive
Model Lineup Mazda RX-8 Sport manual or automatic ($26,435); Touring manual ($29,535); Touring automatic ($30,335): Grand Touring manual ($31,070); Grand Touring automatic ($31,770): 40th Anniversary manual ($31,370); 40th Anniversary automatic ($32,070)
Engines (standard) 1.3-liter twin-rotor rotary
Transmissions (standard) 6-speed manual
Engines (optional) 1.3-liter twin-rotor rotary; 212 hp (automatic), or 232 hp (manual)
Transmissions (optional) six-speed sequential automatic with steering-wheel paddles; six-speed close-ratio manual
Safety Equipment (standard) front, side, and side-curtain airbags, seatbelt pretensioners; ABS; EBD; tire-pressure monitor
Safety Equipment (optional) DSC electronic stability control with traction control
Basic Warranty 4 years/50,000 miles
Assembled In Hiroshima, Japan
Manufacturer Phone 1-800-222-5500
Manufacturer URL www.mazdausa.com
Base Price MSRP $26,435

Specs as Tested

Model Tested MSRP Mazda RX-8 Sport with manual transmission ($26,435)
Standard Equipment electronic power steering with tilting steering wheel; power four-wheel-disc brakes with ABS and EBD; air conditioning; AM/FM/CD stereo with six speakers and steering-wheel mounted controls; cruise control; cloth upholstery; power windows, mirrors and locks; leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob; floor and overhead consoles; rear window defogger; variable intermittent windshield wipers; alarm with immobilizer; 225/45 Bridgestone high-performance tires; 18-inch alloy wheels.
Destination Charge 635
Options as Tested (MSRP) Performance Package ($1,300) includes xenon headlights, fog lights, DSC with traction control; in-dash 6-disc CD ($500); Rotary Accent Package ($159)
Gas Guzzler Tax
Layout rear-wheel drive
Price as Tested $29,029
Horse Power 232 @ 8500
Torque 159 @ 5500
Fuel Economy 18/24
Wheelbase 106.4
Length/Width/Height 174.3/69.7/52.8
Track Front/Rear
Turning Radius 34.8
Seating Capacity 4
Front Head/Hip/Leg room 38.2/53.3/42.7
Middle Head/Hip/Leg room
Rear Head/Hip/Leg room 36.8/48.1/32.2
Trunk Volume 7.6
Payload
Towing Capacity
Front Suspension independent, A-arms, coil springs, tube shocks, anti-roll bar
Rear Suspension independent, multi-link, coil springs, tube shocks, anti-roll bar
Ground Clearance 4.7
Curb Weight 3045
Stock Tires 225/45R18 Bridgestone Potenza
Brakes Front/Rear vented disc/vented disc with ABS and EBD
Fuel Capacity 15.9

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