A class of its own

Despite its small size, the engine produces a massive 192bhp

It's not often that I get the desire or the chance to drive a sports car, but the Mazda RX-8 is really something different. This is a unique design four-door sports car but, for me, the most interesting feature of the car is the newly-improved rotary engine that sits under the bonnet, writes Michael Moroney

The first impressions of the RX-8 could bowl you over. The styling is unique and the four-door concept is special, giving the opportunity to use the rear seats for more than storage. But it was the technology behind this car that has always intrigued me.

Why a rotary engine? And what's special about this? Rotary engine technology has been around for some time. The concept was originally invented by German inventor Felix Wankel. Mazda took his designs to production stage, when it continued on his developments back in 1961 and to date has produced over 1.8 million rotary-engine cars.

Rotary engines don't have pistons, like other engines; they use a triangular-shaped rotor that spins in the centre of an engine block housing that is shaped like an oval, slightly pinched in the middle.

There is an eccentric shaft in the middle of the rotor, that turns three times for every turn of the rotor. And, while a conventional engine needs four strokes to give two turns of the crankshaft, rotary engines achieve all four strokes in only one turn of the rotor.

Rotors are very compact, compared with conventional engines, and they have fewer moving parts. Mazda uses two rotors in the new Renesis engine in the RX-8, and the engine capacity is just 1300cc.

Despite its small size, this engine produces a massive 192bhp. So it's smaller than a four-cylinder conventional engine and produces the power and smoothness of a six-cylinder engine. That sums up what the rotary engine is all about: power and smoothness in a compact package and with fewer moving parts.

And, because the engine is so compact, Mazda has been able to fit it closer to the centre of the vehicle. This gives greater balance to the car, and allows Mazda to use a shorter and lighter drive shaft from the engine to the rear-wheel-drive system.

So, does it perform? Sure it does. This car can accelerate at a pace that lets you experience G-forces on the ground. The rated acceleration figure is 0 to 100km/hr in 7.2 seconds, and when you get a chance to drive a car like this you just have to prove it for yourself. While I wouldn't take anyone's word on this, I can confirm for you that it's true!

The Mazda RX-8 competes with cars such as the Audi TT, the new Alfa GT and Toyota's Celica and beats all three on acceleration. It's the least economical of the four, but that's rarely an issue for sports-car drivers.

The complete design of the car has given it superb road holding. This car can take anything that you push at it in terms of road conditions and corners. The suspension is typically harder than a saloon car, but it's acceptable. And the seat positions are good - mind you, no sports car provides real comfort for those with back weakness.

The four-door layout is another unique feature of the car. The doors split in such a way that there is no B pillar in the car, the front doors open by hinging to the front, while the rear doors hinge at the rear.

Mazda has a heavy-duty vertical bar fitted to the front of the rear door, to cover the side impact protection needs. When you open this door, you feel that extra weight.

There are two seats to the rear, divided by a long storage panel that extends from the gear lever in the front. But the seats are reachable and give reasonable room. And lastly, there is a reasonable boot to the rear.

Mazda has not spared on the goodies for this car. It comes with a good sound system boosted by Bose speakers. The dash layout is simple and stylish. There are a few lovely touches, such as the rotary engine decal on top of the gear lever.

And, most of all, the overall design of the car is hugely impressive. The front-wheel arches are visible from the driving position, and you constantly feel that you are driving something different. That's confirmed by the number of people you pass who give the car a second look, with more than an inquisitive, What's that?

Prices start at €40,290, or Stg£20,000, for the base model. There is a more powerful version available, but for me the base 192bhp model does it all. You may pay a little less for a lower-power Toyota Celica or a Hyundai Coupe, but do they make such a statement?

Mazda has combined new-generation rotary-engine technology in a classy, and high-performance car that provides superior driving features. Felix Wankel's day has come.