"This car is sensational. You get all the benefits of a coupé with none of the drawbacks, and all the practicality of a saloon with none of the tedium."
- Jeremy Clarkson on the RX-8
Mazda RX-8 is a sports car built by Mazda from 2003 to 2012, and is the successor to the Mazda RX-7.
Like the preceeding RX-7, it continues to use the same 654cc x 2 displacement (or 1.3-litre) rotary engine but naturally-aspirated as 13B-MSP or known as RENESIS. It provides a great power output at 238hp (241ps), but suffers in its lower thermal efficiency. Overall dimensions are longer, and it's the first quad coupe ever produced in Mazda's history: a combination of a coupé and a saloon.
Throughout its production. the RX-8 was notoriously high maintenance, plagued with serious engine problems mainly due to its high usage of motor oil, premature wear, and compression issues, among others (including high repair and maintenance costs). Hence, this is one of the few cars that were unreliable. The automatic version of this car also produced less power than the manual, at 189hp (191ps), which polarized many supporters.
Despite its unreliable engine, it has earned praise from all three Top Gear presenters, particularly Richard Hammond and Jeremy Clarkson.
Appearances[]
- In Series 3, Episode 5, Jeremy reviews the RX-8 around the Top Gear Test Track. Despite criticising the skitishness and style, he praises the car's handling, speed, comfort, ease of use and reasonable price. At the hands of the Stig it sets a lap of 1:31.8. Clarkson wanted to put the RX-8 in the "Uncool" section of the Cool Wall, but Hammond placed the car in the "Cool" section, due to it having a Wankel rotary engine.
- In Clarkson: Shoot-Out, Jeremy tests the RX-8 once again praising the car's handling, speed, comfort, ease of use and reasonable price with it ultimately winning the Coupe Category.
- In Series 6, Episode 11, James uses an RX-8 to help compose the Top Gear Theme.
- In Series 9, Episode 2, Richard champions the RX-8 as the best coupe under £25,000 against Jeremy in an Audi TT and James in an Alfa Romeo Brera. It ultimately loses to the Alfa in a view of style and to the Audi around the Top Gear Test Track in the hands of The Stig, setting a lap of 1:32.0. In the end Richard admitted he preferred the Brera.
- In Series 13, Episode 7, an RX-8 is featured in the Scirocco TDI Commercial.
- In Series 17, Episode 3, an RX-8 is highly recommended by Jeremy as an alternative for £6995.