The 2009 Mazda RX-8 has managed to carve out a niche of its own over the last five years, creating an eclectic mix of sports roadster and four-door coupe with such unique engineering that it has polarized the punters between love and hate. Luckily for Mazda there has been more love than hate, and this year’s refreshed interior, body styling and new R3 model should bring in even more love. That being said though, RX-8’s rotary engine, backward –opening doors and gluttonous fuel economy are not for everyone, so unless you really love it, you may be better off with something a bit more… conventional.
2009 Mazda RX-8 Performance
The 2009 Mazda RX-8 is powered by its famous compact 1.3-liter RENESIS rotary engine which has been featured in a long series of Mazda sports cars. It is based on triangular rotors spinning in oval chambers rather than the traditional pistons pumping up and down in cylinders, and the result is higher power output and more dynamic acceleration. The Mazda RX-8 is the only mass-produced rotary-engine passenger vehicle in the world today. In the 6-speed manual transmission it produces 232hp, and in the 6-speed automatic it produces 212hp and also offers paddle shifters or a floor lever.
The rotary engine specializes in generating stored power, and to take full advantage of that the manual transmission allows revs to reach higher (9000rpm) and torque to build. The result is a sports car that handles more like a go-cart, and this is the RX-8’s greatest feature. Combining the low center of gravity, double wish-bone front suspension, mono-tube gas-filled shocks and electric rack-and-pinion power-steering system gives a smoothness, responsiveness that is out of this world, with just the right amount of firmness to give a sporty ride and launch the car around corners like a Formula 1. Take it out on the open road and the RX-8 is almost unbeatable as far as fun driving goes, with most of the acceleration available at high speeds.
Driving the RX-8 around the city is another story and this is reflected in its acceleration from standing to 60mph in 7 seconds. This is not brilliant by any stretch, and that is because at low speeds, the rotary engine struggles to produce enough power to accelerate quickly. This is most frustrating at the lights when the car next to you is ready to race you off, and you know you have the torque behind you of a Datsun 120Y from 1970, despite your sports car appearance. What’s more, all that high revving is disastrous for fuel economy, and the RX-8 manages only 16/22mpg – on par with your average V6 SUV.
2009 Mazda RX-8 Interior and Features
There are four trims available in the 2009 Mazda RX-8: Sport, Touring, Grand Touring and the new R3. All of them have a Star Trek look about them, with ultra-low seats and black interior with matte-metallic trim. There is a new steering wheel design and contoured instrument panel Seats are comfortable, but the low-slung and narrow nature of them doesn’t suit all body types and certainly not those with bad knees! The back two bucket seats are functional, and set the RX-8 apart from most other sports cars on the road, but really only offer enough space for the kids. And of course there are those doors – the back doors are hinged at the rear and open in one movement with the front doors which means there is plenty of door width.
The new R3 sports trim is aimed at the real sports enthusiasts, and is the epitome of cool, offering sports-tuned suspension, Bilstein shocks and even better suspension thanks to the cross beams being filled with polyurethane foam for extra absorbency. It also adds a rear spoiler 19-inch alloy wheels and high performance tires, plus surround sound stereo system, Bluetooth, leather sports seats and push-button start.
Meanwhile the Sports trim offers 18-inch tires, cloth upholstery, digital media player connection and tilt leather-wrapped steering wheel. The Touring trim adds fog lamps, Homelink, 6-disc CD changer, moonroof and Sirius satellite radio. The Grand Touring trim features leather heated seats, rain sensing wipers, power adjustable drivers sear, Keyless entry and starting, and Bose stereo system. Optional is a touchscreen satellite navigation system with voice commands and iPod connectability.
2009 Mazda RX-8 Safety
Government crash tests awarded a perfect five stars for front passenger impact situations, but four stars for driver front and side impact situations. Standard features include antilock braking, front side and side curtain airbags. Stability control is standard on the Touring and Grand Touring trims, and part of the Performance Package for the R3. The body has a high level of rigidity and strategic crumple zones.
Safety features:
- Stability control and ABS, 4-wheel disc brakes
- Dual front and side curtain airbags
- Tire pressure monitor
Overall the Mazda RX-8 for 2009 deserves full points for its brilliant original design in body, styling and engine. It does not always hit the mark, but in the car world where so many designs are the same, the RX-8 stands a long way out from the pack.