It’s the last rotary-powered production car ever sold (for now, at least). But was the RX-8 a good send-off for the era Mazda dared to be different?
![Mazda RX-8 ['03-'12] ](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/14944/213292/58d040529ed07/Mazda-RX-8-03-12.jpg "Mazda RX-8 ['03-'12] ")
Mazda’s love affair with the Wankel rotary engine dates back further than you might think. Developed in the early Sixties as a small and light-yet-powerful alternative to more conventional combustion engines of the time, the rotary-powered Mazda bloodline runs almost constantly from the ’63 Cosmo through to this: the 21st-century RX-8.
First shown off in 2001, the RX-8 disappointed many sports car fans on first impression thanks largely to the removal of the twin-turbo 13B engine found in its predecessor, the legendary FD3S RX-7, with a normally-aspirated variant (and less power as a result) in its place.
Over time, though, the RX-8 has somewhat overcome its performance and reliability setbacks and warmed the hearts of both new and die-hard Mazda fans thanks to its fantastic chassis, impressive tuning potential and seriously clever practical quirks.
Why is it so special?
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة April 2017 من Banzai.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة April 2017 من Banzai.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
![MKIV Toyota Supra Twin Turbo ['93-'02]](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/14944/209309/58b3d332869e5/crp_MKIV-Toyota-Supra-Twin-Turbo-93-02.jpg "MKIV Toyota Supra Twin Turbo ['93-'02]")
MKIV Toyota Supra Twin Turbo ['93-'02]
It spearheaded the Nineties sports car movement which put Japan firmly on the automotive map. But can the twin-turbocharged Supra still cut it in 2017…?
Magic Numbers
The Z32 Nissan 300ZX is often regarded as more cruiser than bruiser, but Antti Mustonen’s rocketship does much to change all that. Don’t go thinking it’s all about the numbers, though…
Red Goes Faster
Shane Bugeja’s Datsun 1200 started life on the other wide of the world. Now this Aussie monster runs low 7s and looks better than ever, too!
![Mazda RX-8 ['03-'12] ](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/14944/213292/58d040529ed07/crp_Mazda-RX-8-03-12.jpg "Mazda RX-8 ['03-'12] ")
Mazda RX-8 ['03-'12]
It’s the last rotary-powered production car ever sold (for now, at least). But was the RX-8 a good send-off for the era Mazda dared to be different?
My Story…
What happens when you use a slightly less common base car for your fast-road hot hatch project? We head to Northern Ireland to find out with Noel McQuaid and his striking Mazda3 MPS…
Paul Cowland Mazda MX-5
So far: Wheels, tyres, brakes, exhaust, shiny bits, bushes, ICE This month: Time for some bodywork Next month: More bodywork! Thanks: www.mx5parts.co.uk
Tokyo Auto Salon
The weight of expectation is always heavy at the Tokyo Auto Salon. What new trends will emerge this year? What amazing or eyes earingly bad products will greet you once you start walking around? However, the problem with expectation is the possibility of disappointment, and there's no doubt new trends or mind-blowing products were perhaps thin on the ground in 2017 compared with previous years.
