2011 Mazda RX-8 Grand Touring: Grand As Ever

By Anne Proffit

Anne Proffit

LATEST ARTICLE
HPD And Ilmor Trade Parting Gifts
Photo: Anne Proffit Today's INDYCAR World Championship represents the end of an era in premier... Read More

• N/ALEADERBOARD RANK
• 319ARTICLES CONTRIBUTED
• 1COMMENTS POSTED

969 views Jan 18, 2011

Photo: Anne Proffit

It’s been a few years since I’ve had the chance to drive Mazda’s iconic RX-8 model, the auto manufacturer’s sole Wankel-powered offering – and the only production Wankel available in the USA.

These days the RX-8 is a sole survivor. There was a time when both GM and Ford had Wankel engine projects, but only Mazda survives with an offering to the general public.

While the RX-8 doesn’t have the sales cachet of, say, a Mazda3 or even an MX-5 Miata, this is the sports-coupe calling card for Mazda and a solid entry in professional racing, winning the Grand-Am GT championship in 2010, as well as the Rolex 24 at Daytona in the GT category.

This rear-wheel-drive sports car is so unique, yet recognizable to anyone with an appreciation of fine sports cars.  Where else can you get the exhilarating roar of the 1.3-liter Renesis rotary powerplant of 232 horsepower at 8500 rpm and 159 lb-ft of torque at 5500 rpm? Particularly at the cost of the RX-8 which, in Grand Touring guise as driven here, starts (for 2011) at $33,055 including delivery fees. This car has zilch for options. It’s perfectly equipped as is.

The liquid silver Mazda RX-8 had about 600 miles on it when picked up and, for that reason I was circumspect while driving it, keeping the revs modulated throughout our week together.  

I find the six-speed manual transmission for this car to be amongst the more slick units out there, snicking from gear to gear easily with excellent clutch take-up.  It’s a short throw, as it ought to be and easy to move from fourth to sixth and back again.

This Mazda sports car has excellent road manners and is taut without being jarring.  Sport-tuned double wishbone front and multi-link rear suspensions help it stick to the ground, as do stabilizer bars at both ends of the car.  

The 2011 Mazda RX-8 is a tidy vehicle at 175.6 inches length, 69.7 inches width, standing 52.8 inches tall and riding on a 106.4-inch wheelbase.  It weighs 3064 pounds and has a wicked quick 34.8-foot turning circle.  Steering is via an electronically assisted direct drive and, as one would expect, incredibly precise and direct.

For braking, Mazda fits ABS-assisted ventilated disc brakes all around and there are both traction and stability controls on the Grand Touring RX-8. With Bridgestone 225/45R rubber all around on 18-inch, 10-spoke alloy rims, the RX-8 stays planted to the ground as if glued.  

Even though this is a true sports coupe, it’s also extremely practical with its two rear clamshell doors.  Real people can sit in the back, provided they don’t play for an NBA team and the rear seats are perfect to hold whatever cargo won’t fit in the bi-level 7.6 cubic foot trunk. The RX8 feels very, very spacious in either front or rear seats.  

The driver’s office is perfectly placed with dark/light gray gauges, white numbers and red pointers.  There’s both fuel and temperature gauges along with an LED speedometer inside the 8500-redline tachometer.  There is a bright black central information center that stands out and is easy to use.  All soft-touch plastics in the cabin enhance a luxury feel in this sporty car.  

One turns a knob to ignite and turn off the 2011 Mazda RX-8 Grand Touring; the slim “card key” fits easily into a pocket and doesn’t need to be used to lock and unlock doors as there are perimeter buttons on the two front doors to do that.  One can get to the trunk through an interior remote or by using the card.  

The rubber-tipped pedals easily keep feet planted – even during monsoon-like weather in my local Los Angeles area.  Mazda fits rain-sensing wipers that work perfectly and helped change my mind about their efficacy (never liked others I’ve tried).  Seats are leather power-operated with lumbar for the driver (the passenger seat is manually actuated); they are delightfully comfortable and supportive and there are three memories for the driver’s seat – like we’re going to share this fun machine?  Mazda fits small mesh visors – I like them.  

A petite one-touch moonroof opens atop the roofline and is nice to let winter sun find its way into the cabin; all windows are one-touch as well and there are small wing windows in the rear for passenger ventilation.  Although there’s no covered storage in the front area of the cabin, there is a small covered deck in the central tunnel for rear-passenger use.  Rear passengers get two cupholders and two pockets, as well

All is not total pleasure with the 2011 Mazda RX-8 Grand Touring.  It has one fatal flaw and that’s its mileage, rated at 16/22 mpg from the 16.9-gallon tank with premium fuel required. As gas prices surge at the pump that could be one of the reasons sales dropped a bunch last year.  Sports car buyers are a fickle bunch and the RX-8 has been around for a while, but it’s still a fun and contemporary car.    

With all of the amenities offered by the 2011 Mazda RX-8 Grand Touring – items like satellite radio, Xenon headlamps, leather interior, limited slip differential and other expected items, the amenities that stand out most to me are this sports car’s willing nature, adaptable to traffic jams and the open road, its smooth rotary engine, nimble handling and practicality.  

If you can stand to be a “friend of OPEC,” the 2011 Mazda RX-8 Grand Touring will give back pleasure over every mile and remains one of the grand values in a class of its own.

© 2011 Anne Proffit