2009 Mazda RX-8 - Review

Mazda’s rotary sports cars hold a near-mythical place in the hearts and minds of many aficionados. The ‘different-ness’ of the triangular Wankel design evokes a kind of independent streak in many people, and the fantastic platforms that Mazda has wrapped around its rotary engines haven’t often disappointed either. The RX-8 is no exception to either of these aspects of the rotary sports car’s charm, though it is beginning to show its age.

The Mazda RX-8 hasn’t seen much in the way of updates over its nearly six-year term. A ‘second-generation’ car was released in Detroit for the 2009 model year, but apart updated electronics and some new bodywork, the car is almost indistinguishable from its forerunner. The only major addition to the range for the new generation is the availability of the factory-tuned RX-8 R3 model, which we received to test recently.

Though the R3 trim doesn’t add any power over the stock RX-8, it does purport to offer something special for the ‘driving-conscious enthusiast’. And it certainly delivers a great deal of fun and capability, provided you know what to expect.

Styling and Exterior
The 2009 RX-8 gets a handful of visual updates that the R3 model shares in or one-ups with its own unique additions, which include new front headlights, redesigned front and rear bumpers, larger exhaust tips, LED rear tail lights, and a rear wing spoiler. Nineteen-inch wheels, a rear-wing spoiler and a front air dam with integrated splitter add aggressiveness to the overall package, and visual appeal bordering on the boyish tuner side of the spectrum.