Mazda RX-8

Mazda RX-8: Which Version Should You Buy?

The Mazda RX-8 choice depends chiefly on whether you prefer lower weight, an Automatic gearbox, or the strongest available performance. Every listed RX-8 is a Coupe with a naturally aspirated 1.3 Gasoline rotor engine, multi-point injection and RWD. The original generation ran from April 2003 to October 2009 with 10 versions; its restyling ran from March 2008 to June 2012 with 7 versions.

The Mazda RX-8 choice depends chiefly on whether you prefer lower weight, an Automatic gearbox, or the strongest available performance. Every listed RX-8 is a Coupe with a naturally aspirated 1.3 Gasoline rotor engine, multi-point injection and RWD. The original generation ran from April 2003 to October 2009 with 10 versions; its restyling ran from March 2008 to June 2012 with 7 versions. Because identical names cover different outputs, each 1.3 AT and 1.3 MT must be identified by horsepower as well as by its database name.

Mazda RX-8 generations: original or restyling?

The original 1 generation is a Coupe offered in 10 versions. Its 1.3 engine has a displacement of 1,308 cc, while outputs range from 192 hp to 250 hp. Buyers can choose Automatic or Manual gearboxes with 4, 5 or 6 speeds. Kerb weight ranges from 1,310 kg to 1,425 kg, and every version is RWD.

The 1 generation, restyling remains a Coupe and contains 7 versions. It retains the 1,308 cc naturally aspirated Gasoline rotor engine and RWD layout, with outputs again spanning 192–250 hp. Automatic and Manual gearboxes have 4, 5 or 6 speeds. Kerb weights range from 1,310 kg to 1,425 kg.

The clearest measured generational change is fuel capacity: every original-generation version has a 61-litre tank, while every restyled version has a 65-litre tank, an increase of 4 litres. Many mechanical figures otherwise overlap. For example, the 192 hp 1.3 MT records 7.2 seconds to 100 km/h, 223 km/h and 10.8 l/100 km combined in both periods. Its kerb weight is also 1,420 kg in both. The 231 hp 1.3 MT likewise retains 6.4 seconds, 235 km/h, 11.4 l/100 km combined and a 1,425 kg kerb weight.

Mazda RX-8 engine and specs comparison

All outputs below are tied to the exact version name and generation because several versions share the same 1.3 AT or 1.3 MT label.

Since displacement is identical, output per litre directly separates the engines. The 192 hp versions produce approximately 146.8 hp per litre; the 210 hp versions, 160.6 hp per litre; the 215 hp 1.3 AT, 164.4 hp per litre; the 231 hp versions, 176.6 hp per litre; the 240 hp versions, 183.5 hp per litre; and the 250 hp 1.3 MT, approximately 191.1 hp per litre.

Peak output also arrives progressively higher: the 192 hp engine reaches maximum power at 7,000 rpm, while the 250 hp engine does so at 8,500 rpm. The highest torque figure is 222 Nm in the 210 hp versions. That is 11 Nm more than the 211 Nm produced by the 231 hp and 240 hp versions.

Mazda RX-8 performance and fuel economy

For maximum measured acceleration, choose the restyled 250 hp 1.3 MT: its 6.0-second result is 1.2 seconds quicker than the 192 hp 1.3 MT and 1.5 seconds quicker than the restyled 215 hp 1.3 AT. The original 250 hp 1.3 MT is 0.2 seconds slower to 100 km/h but reaches 250 km/h, which is 30 km/h above the restyled 250 hp version’s listed top speed.

Among versions with complete consumption data, the 192 hp 1.3 MT has the lowest combined result at 10.8 l/100 km. It uses 0.3 l/100 km less than the 215 hp 1.3 AT and 0.6 l/100 km less than the 231 hp and 240 hp versions with measured consumption.

Mazda RX-8 dimensions, weight and practical specs

External length, width, wheelbase and other body dimensions are not measured in the supplied data. The available practical comparison covers kerb weight, gross weight, ground clearance, tank capacity and wheel sizes.

The lightest listed cars are the 1,310 kg 210 hp and 250 hp Manual versions. The 250 hp 1.3 MT therefore has the strongest power-to-weight result at approximately 5.24 kg per hp. The 210 hp 1.3 MT follows at approximately 6.24 kg per hp, while the 1,425 kg, 231 hp 1.3 MT carries approximately 6.17 kg per hp. At the other end, the 1,420 kg, 192 hp 1.3 MT has approximately 7.40 kg per hp.

Mazda RX-8 reliability, price and engine-rebuild questions

Reliability, service history, engine condition, rebuild requirements, engine swaps, replacement-engine availability, prices and cars for sale are not measured in the supplied data. These factors cannot be used to rank individual cars here. A purchase decision based on this catalogue should therefore separate the measurable specification choice from the condition and price of a particular vehicle.

Which Mazda RX-8 version should you buy?

For the strongest acceleration, the restyled 1.3 MT with 250 hp is the clear data-based choice: 6.0 seconds to 100 km/h, 1,310 kg and approximately 5.24 kg per hp. If top speed matters more, the original 1.3 MT with 250 hp reaches 250 km/h, 30 km/h above the restyled version, while taking 6.2 seconds to reach 100 km/h.

For a measured economy-and-performance compromise, choose the 1.3 MT with 192 hp. In either generation it combines 7.2 seconds to 100 km/h, 223 km/h and 10.8 l/100 km combined. The restyled car adds 4 litres of fuel capacity without increasing the listed 1,420 kg kerb weight.

For an Automatic, the 1.3 AT with 215 hp offers 6 speeds, 7.5 seconds to 100 km/h and a measured 11.1 l/100 km combined. The original 231 hp 1.3 AT is quicker at 6.4 seconds and reaches 235 km/h, but it has a 4-speed Automatic, uses Gasoline 98 and records 11.4 l/100 km combined.

For the lightest Manual alternative below 250 hp, the 210 hp 1.3 MT weighs 1,310 kg and reaches 100 km/h in 7.0 seconds. It is 115 kg lighter than the 231 hp 1.3 MT, although the latter is 0.6 seconds quicker and has a 15 km/h higher top speed.

On specifications alone, the restyled 250 hp 1.3 MT is the performance pick, the restyled 192 hp 1.3 MT is the measured economy pick, and the restyled 215 hp 1.3 AT is the most fully documented Automatic choice. Actual reliability, condition and value cannot be decided from these figures because those measurements are not present.