Body style: Coupé (two-door)
Segment: Coupe
Production years: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
Although designed in 2003, the Mazda’s RX-8 look still looker fresh many years after its launch.
What made the RX-8 so special was its high-revving 1.3-liter rotary engine that proved 231 hp. The powerplant was mated with a 6-speed manual gearbox.
The RX-8 was not a regular coupe and neither a sedan. It had 4-doors and nicely hidden rear-hinged doors.
The exterior design of the RX-8 was not boring at all, with cool looking taillights and the overall unusual shape.
Inside the RX-8 was a clean cabin, with comfortable seats and a great leather-wrapped steering wheel that offered good grip.
The cluster gauges reflected the rotary engine, with red line starting from 9000 rpm. The speed-o-meter was digital.
Quality materials were used for the cabin, and practicality was not forgotten. Multiple storage spaces were offered, along with cupholders under the armrest and two 12V power outlets.
The gear shifter was one of the shortest ever manufactured and was very mechanical.
The center console went all the way to the back seats. Talking about the back seats, surprisingly, the RX-8 had usable rear seats for 2 and offered great legroom and headroom. A bit unusual, getting out from the back seats implied opening up the driver’s door.
The trunk space was decent, but was on the smaller side in comparison with other coupes at that time.
ENGINE SPECS - 1.3 Rotary 5MT (192 HP) | |
---|---|
Cylinders: | R2 |
Displacement: | 1304 cm3 |
Power: | 143 KW @ 7000 RPM 192 HP @ 7000 RPM 192 BHP @ 7000 RPM |
Torque: | 220 lb-ft @ 5000 RPM 298 Nm @ 5000 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
---|---|
Top Speed: | 139 mph (224 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 7.2 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
---|---|
Drive Type: | Rear Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
---|---|
Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Ventilated Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 225/55 R16Z |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 174.4 in (4430 mm) |
Width: | 69.7 in (1770 mm) |
Height: | 52.8 in (1341 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 59.1/59.3 in (1,501/1,506 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 106.3 in (2700 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.5 in (140 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 10.2 cuFT (289 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.3 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
---|---|
Unladen Weight: | 3027 lbs (1373 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 4012 lbs (1820 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
---|---|
City: | 15.8 mpg US (14.9 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 29 mpg US (8.1 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 22.2 mpg US (10.6 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 284 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 1.3 Rotary 6MT (231 HP) | |
---|---|
Cylinders: | R2 |
Displacement: | 1304 cm3 |
Power: | 173 KW @ 8200 RPM 231 HP @ 8200 RPM 232 BHP @ 8200 RPM |
Torque: | 156 lb-ft @ 5500 RPM 212 Nm @ 5500 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
---|---|
Top Speed: | 146 mph (235 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 6.4 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
---|---|
Drive Type: | Rear Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 6-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
---|---|
Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Ventilated Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 225 / 45 R18 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 174.4 in (4430 mm) |
Width: | 69.7 in (1770 mm) |
Height: | 52.8 in (1341 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 59.1/59.3 in (1,501/1,506 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 106.3 in (2700 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.5 in (140 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 10.2 cuFT (289 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.3 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
---|---|
Unladen Weight: | 2976 lbs (1350 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 4012 lbs (1820 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
---|---|
City: | 15.1 mpg US (15.6 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 27 mpg US (8.7 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 21 mpg US (11.2 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 284 g/km |