Mazda RX-8 Sports Car (2003-2012)

84% Neofiliac80% External
Keywords: compactcoupedouble-wishbonemanual-transmissionmazdamulti-linkrotary-enginerwdsports-car

Product Gallery

Photo 0of Mazda RX-8 Sports Car (2003-2012)Photo 1of Mazda RX-8 Sports Car (2003-2012)Photo 2of Mazda RX-8 Sports Car (2003-2012)Photo 3of Mazda RX-8 Sports Car (2003-2012)Photo 4of Mazda RX-8 Sports Car (2003-2012)Photo 5of Mazda RX-8 Sports Car (2003-2012)Photo 6of Mazda RX-8 Sports Car (2003-2012)

Product Overview

Mazda RX-8 is a compact sports car in production from 2003 to 2012. It was available with several tunes of a two-rotor 1.3L RENESIS rotary engine that displaced 1.3 liters.
The last commercially available passenger car with rotary engine, the RX-8 has quickly become a modern classic. Its ultra-compact rotary engine allows the relatively affordable vehicle to feature a front-mid engine layout, while the double-wishbone + multi-link suspension setup further improves handling.
The one weakness of all rotary engines, durability, has been improved but remains an issue. Fortunately, the compact engine is easy to rebuild, though technicians familiar with this design are few and far between.

Ratings

What we found**

Neofiliac score 84% (not directly comparable across industries)
Pros
  • Compact engine and lightweight chassis
  • Glorious 9000rpm redline
  • Great weight distribution
  • Double-wishbone + multilink suspension setup
  • Great handling characteristics
Cons
  • Not a thoroughbred

What external reviewers found***

External score 80% (not directly comparable across industries)
Pros
  • Fun to drive
  • Powerful twin-rotor engine
Cons
  • Noisy gearbox
  • Not the most fun to drive
Read More

Find Related Products

Specifications

Renesis 200340th AnniversaryRevolution High-PowerChallenge High-PowerType S

Capacity

Cargo Capacity290 L / 10.2 cu-ft
Coolant Capacity8.7 L / 9.2 qt
Engine Oil Capacity6.1 L / 6.4 qt6.1 L / 6.4 qt6.9 L / 7.3 qt
Fuel Capacity61.0 L / 16.1 gal
Passengers4
Payload447 kg / 985 lbs353 kg / 778 lbs436 kg / 961 lbs398 kg / 877 lbs475 kg / 1047 lbs

Chassis

Brakes | FrontVentilated discs, 323 mmVentilated discsVentilated discs, 323 mmVentilated discsVentilated discs
Brakes | RearVentilated discs, 302 mmDiscVentilated discs, 302 mmDiscDisc
Power SteeringHydraulic Steering
Suspension | FrontDouble-wishbone
Suspension | RearMulti-link
Tire SizeFront wheel tires: 225/45 R18 Rear wheel tires: 225/45 R18225/55R16Front wheel tires: 225/45 R18 Rear wheel tires: 225/45 R18245/45 R18
Turning Circle10.6 m / 34.8 ft

Construction

Body Style4-door Coupe4-door Coupe2-door Coupe4-door Coupe4-door Coupe

Dimensions

Ground Clearance140 mm / 5.5 in
Size | Height1340 mm / 52.8 in1340 mm / 52.8 in1340 mm / 52.8 in1340 mm / 52.8 in1330 mm / 52.4 in
Size | Length4430 mm / 174.4 in4427 mm / 174.3 in4430 mm / 174.4 in4435 mm / 174.6 in4325 mm / 170.3 in
Size | Width1770 mm / 69.7 in | 1846 mm / 72.7 in (mirror unfolded)1770 mm / 69.7 in1770 mm / 69.7 in | 1846 mm / 72.7 in (mirror unfolded)1770 mm / 69.7 in1780 mm / 70.1 in
Track Width | Front1500.0 mm / 59.1 in1500.0 mm / 59.1 in1500.0 mm / 59.1 in1500.0 mm / 59.1 in1490.0 mm / 58.7 in
Track Width | Rear1505.0 mm / 59.3 in1505.0 mm / 59.3 in1505.0 mm / 59.3 in1505.0 mm / 59.3 in1500.0 mm / 59.1 in
Weight1373.0 kg / 3026.9 lbs1395.0 kg / 3075.4 lbs1379.0 kg / 3040.2 lbs1330.0 kg / 2932.1 lbs1345.0 kg / 2965.2 lbs
Wheel SizeFront wheel rims: 8J x 18 Rear wheel rims: 8J x 1816 inFront wheel rims: 8J x 18 Rear wheel rims: 8J x 1818 in18 in
Wheelbase2700 mm / 106.3 in

Performance

Acceleration | 0 - 100 km/h7.2 sec7.2 sec6.4 sec6.5 sec6.5 sec
Acceleration | 0 - 60 mph6.8 sec6.8 sec6.1 sec6.2 sec6.2 sec
Braking | 100 km/h - 036.0 m / 118.1 ft
CO2 Emission267 g/km267 g/km284 g/km
Coefficient Of Drag0.30
Fuel Economy10.6 L/100km / 22.2 MPG (combined) | 14.9 L/100km / 15.8 MPG (urban) | 8.1 L/100km / 29.0 MPG (highway)13.1 L/100km / 18.0 MPG (urban) | 9.4 L/100km / 25.0 MPG (highway)11.2 L/100km / 21.0 MPG (combined) | 15.6 L/100km / 15.1 MPG (urban) | 8.7 L/100km / 27.0 MPG (highway)11.4 L/100km / 20.6 MPG (combined)11.4 L/100km / 20.6 MPG (combined) | 15.8 L/100km / 14.9 MPG (urban) | 8.9 L/100km / 26.4 MPG (highway)
Top Speed222.0 km/h / 137.9 mph222.0 km/h / 137.9 mph234.0 km/h / 145.4 mph240.0 km/h / 149.1 mph250.0 km/h / 155.3 mph
Towing Capacity695 kg / 1532 lbs (w/o brakes) | 1200 kg / 2646 lbs (w/ brakes @ 12% gradient)

Powertrain

Drivetrain LayoutFront-engine (longitudinal), Rear-wheel drive
Engine13B
Engine | Compression Ratio10.0:1
Engine | Displacement1.3 L / 79.8 cu-in / 1308.0 cc
Engine | Power192.0 hp / 143.2 kW @ 7000 rpm215.0 hp / 160.3 kW @ 7500 rpm231.0 hp / 172.3 kW @ 8200 rpm240.0 hp / 179.0 kW @ 8200 rpm250.0 hp / 186.4 kW @ 8500 rpm
Engine | Redline7500 rpm7500 rpm9000 rpm9000 rpm9000 rpm
Engine | Specific Output146.8 hp/L / 2.4 hp/cu-in164.4 hp/L / 2.7 hp/cu-in176.6 hp/L / 2.9 hp/cu-in183.5 hp/L / 3.0 hp/cu-in191.1 hp/L / 3.1 hp/cu-in
Engine | Torque216 Nm / 159.3 lb-ft @ 2500 rpm216 Nm / 159.3 lb-ft @ 7500 rpm211 Nm / 155.6 lb-ft @ 5500 rpm216 Nm / 159.3 lb-ft @ 7500 rpm216 Nm / 159.3 lb-ft @ 7500 rpm
Engine | TypeNaturally-aspirated multi-port injected petrol rotary2 engine
Transmission | Gears5-speed6-speed6-speed6-speed6-speed
Transmission | TypeManualAutomaticManualManualManual

Production

Availability2003 ~ 20092005 ~ 20092003 ~ 20122003 ~ 20092003 ~ 2009

Related Products

Subaru BRZ 2 (ZD8) Sports Car (2021)

Subaru BRZ 2 (ZD8) Sports Car (2021)

71% Neofiliac70% External
The 2nd-generation BRZ continues the cooperation between Subaru and Toyota with a new 2.4-liter NA boxer engine in the classic lightweight RWD format: it will come in 2021 as a 2022 MY vehicle. The new Subaru BRZ enjoys an ultra-low center of gravity, ...
Ford GT 2 Sports Car (2017-2022)

Ford GT 2 Sports Car (2017-2022)

63% Neofiliac78% External
The second generation Ford GT is a mid-engine supercar with a 43:57 weight distribution. Powered by a 3.5L bi-turbocharged V6 that is dry-sump lubricated, the Ford GT accelerates to 60 mph in under 3 seconds. It has butterfly doors. The GT's body i...
Nissan Z (RZ34) Sports Car (2022)

Nissan Z (RZ34) Sports Car (2022)

80% Neofiliac
Nissan Z RZ34 is the 7th-generation compact sports car bearing the Z moniker (also called Fairlady Z). Replacing the 370Z that has been on the market for a decade, the new Z comes with broad powertrain, chassis, and body upgrades and will go on the mar...
Lotus Evora Sports Car (2009-2018)

Lotus Evora Sports Car (2009-2018)

85% Neofiliac89% External
Lotus Evora is a compact crossover in production from 2009 to 2021. It was available with a range of Toyota-sourced V6 engines that displaced 3.5 liters. Compared to the Lotus Elise, the Evora is more focused for handling. Utility-minded owners will li...
Nissan 370Z (Z34) Sports Car (2009-2020)

Nissan 370Z (Z34) Sports Car (2009-2020)

81% Neofiliac54% External
Nissan 370Z (chassis code Z34) is a compact sports car in production from 2009 to 2020. It was available with several tunes of Nissan's VQ37 naturally-aspirated V6 engine that displaced 3.7 liters. Compared to the 350Z that preceded it, the 370Z i...
Pagani Zonda Sports Car (1999-2013)

Pagani Zonda Sports Car (1999-2013)

99% Neofiliac
Pagani Zonda is a luxury mid-size supercar in production from 1999 to 2013. It was available with a range of V12 engines sourced from Mercedes that displaced 6.0 to 7.3 liters. Arguably the most sensuous road car throughout its production run, the Zon...
Porsche 911 992 Coupe (2018)

Porsche 911 992 Coupe (2018)

93% Neofiliac91% External
The 992 is the 8th generation Porsche 911. Like its predecessors, the 992 retains the MacPherson strut front suspension setup; unlike the 991, however, all variants share the same wide rear-wheel arches that used to be exclusive to AWD and high-perform...
Toyota Supra 5 Sports Car (2019)

Toyota Supra 5 Sports Car (2019)

88% Neofiliac73% External
Toyota Supra Mk5 (chassis code A90/A91) is a mid-size sports car in production from 2019. It is available with a range of inline-4 and inline-6 engines that displaced 2.0 to 3.0 liters. Essentially, the Supra 5 is the coupe variant of the BMW Z4. Owner...
Aston Martin V8 Vantage (AM6) Sports Car (2017)

Aston Martin V8 Vantage (AM6) Sports Car (2017)

79% Neofiliac
Aston Martin V8 Vantage (chassis code AM6) is a compact coupe in production from 2017. It is available with a Mercedes M177 bi-turbo hot-V8 engine that displaced 4.0 liters. Compared to the last V8 Vantage that sold between 2005 and 2017, the new V8 Va...
Subaru BRZ (ZC6) Sports Car (2012-2020)

Subaru BRZ (ZC6) Sports Car (2012-2020)

74% Neofiliac77% External
Subaru BRZ (chassis code ZC6) is a compact sports car in production from 2012 to 2020. It was available with a single flat-4 petrol engine that displaced 2.0 liters. It is identical to the Toyota 86. Subaru has made a good effort in aerodynamics, with...
Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione Sports Car (2007-2010)

Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione Sports Car (2007-2010)

84% Neofiliac
Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione is a compact sports car in production from 2007 to 2010. It was available with a single Ferrari-Maserati V8 engine that displaced 4.7 liters. The only transmission was a rear-mounted 6-speed automated manual transaxle. While...
Chevrolet Corvette C6 Sports Car (2004-2013)

Chevrolet Corvette C6 Sports Car (2004-2013)

89% Neofiliac
Chevrolet Corvette C6 is a compact high-performance sports car in production from 2004 to 2013. It was available with a range of V8 engines that displaced 6.0 to 7.0 liters. One of the more approachable sports cars on the market, the Corvette combined ...
Launch Comparison
Clear List

3rd-Party Review Videos

External Reviews

carmagazine[1]

Reviewer score 80%
Reviewers from carmagazine have found the following***:
elift emerging as the RX8 R3. It's got the latest RENESIS twin-rotor engine in which, after donkeys years of development, most of those problems have been licked. Externally, there's a standard Sports Styling Pack with new front bumper, side skirts, rear wing. But as you discover from the driving seat in the first half mile, there have been a few changes under the skin. The bodyshell has been stiffened and dampers, springs, bushes and anti-roll bars revised.
Find the original article here.
Pros
  • Powerful twin-rotor engine
  • Fun to drive
Cons
  • Noisy gearbox
  • Not the most fun to drive

User Reviews

Comments

Please login before adding comments.

References

  1. ^ Mazda RX-8 R3 (2008) review. [carmagazine]. https://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-reviews/mazda/mazda-rx-8-r3-2008-review/. 2008-07-16. Retrieved 2022-05-06.

This page contains affiliate links to third-party merchants such as Amazon, eBay, and Rakuten. When you make a purchase using the supplied links, we will receive a commission.

Scores are not directly comparable across industries.

These key takeaways ("pros" and "cons") and summaries are identified from third-party reviews. They may differ from the original texts.

<

>

x