The standard leather-covered seats are good and comfortable, but have little or nothing on the Recaros with huge side bolsters. The other major difference is in the positioning of the seats themselves. The “regular” seats are mounted high in the cabin and thus the driving position is too tall. Factoring in a steering column that is not telescopic, the driver is left with the impression that he or she is piloting a CX-7 and not a low-slung sporty car. The R3 does not have this complex.
There is an unexpected amount of room in the RX-8’s greenhouse for all four and the trunk is of a decent size; the opening is narrow though. Once aboard, do look for the numerous rotary-inspired accents.
Little with a big heart
Moving along, the RX-8’s 13B 1.3L twin-rotor engine is a mini marvel, on a few levels. This first is in the aural pleasure department. From the moment you ignite the ignition, the sound from the starter motor is like no other; imagine a high-torque blender springing to life. Once the idle has settled, the rotors spin at a steady 1,000 rpm with a metallic note like no other. The best part of the track begins around 7,000 rpm and the full symphony is in full effect at 9,000 rpm.
The 13B’s 232 hp are a model of civility. Although the punch is light, they are all accounted for. Unless turbocharged, this engine delivers its pace in perhaps the most linear way you’ll ever experience. In fact, the whole experience is so underwhelming that you don’t think that the car is fast when, in actuality, you’re flying at well beyond the legal limits. Thrust and music do make the rotary powerplant a marvel; however the other factor to marvel at is the diminutive engine’s thirst for fuel, nearly 14L of the stuff per 100 km/h. Ouch!
Driving tool
Beyond that, the RX-8 is a marvel (let me know if it gets too repetitive) to behold when driven. There are so many positive aspects to the way that this car is set up that I would recommend to anyone looking to learn a thing or two about performance driving.
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| There is an unexpected amount of room in the RX-8’s greenhouse for all four. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com) |
There is an unexpected amount of room in the RX-8’s greenhouse for all four and the trunk is of a decent size; the opening is narrow though. Once aboard, do look for the numerous rotary-inspired accents.
Little with a big heart
Moving along, the RX-8’s 13B 1.3L twin-rotor engine is a mini marvel, on a few levels. This first is in the aural pleasure department. From the moment you ignite the ignition, the sound from the starter motor is like no other; imagine a high-torque blender springing to life. Once the idle has settled, the rotors spin at a steady 1,000 rpm with a metallic note like no other. The best part of the track begins around 7,000 rpm and the full symphony is in full effect at 9,000 rpm.
The 13B’s 232 hp are a model of civility. Although the punch is light, they are all accounted for. Unless turbocharged, this engine delivers its pace in perhaps the most linear way you’ll ever experience. In fact, the whole experience is so underwhelming that you don’t think that the car is fast when, in actuality, you’re flying at well beyond the legal limits. Thrust and music do make the rotary powerplant a marvel; however the other factor to marvel at is the diminutive engine’s thirst for fuel, nearly 14L of the stuff per 100 km/h. Ouch!
Driving tool
Beyond that, the RX-8 is a marvel (let me know if it gets too repetitive) to behold when driven. There are so many positive aspects to the way that this car is set up that I would recommend to anyone looking to learn a thing or two about performance driving.
 |
| The 13B’s 232 hp are a model of civility. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com) |