2009 Mazda RX-8 Overview

2009 Mazda RX-8
The 2009 Mazda RX-8 is weird. Its body style? Weird. Its engine? Weirder. Its styling? Yep, that's pretty strange too. Since its introduction five years ago, the RX-8 has served as an automotive asterisk.

The 2009 Mazda RX-8 is a four-seat coupe with a pair of rear-hinged "suicide" doors that ease access to the backseats. There are four trim levels: Sport, Touring, Grand Touring and R3. The base Sport features 18-inch wheels and performance tires, a rear lip spoiler (manual transmission models only), air-conditioning, cruise control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter, full power accessories and a six-speaker stereo with CD player and auxiliary audio jack. The Touring trim adds a limited-slip rear differential, xenon headlights, foglights, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and an in-dash six-CD changer.

The rear-wheel-drive Mazda RX-8 is powered by a 1.3-liter rotary engine. The engine's output depends on the transmission selected. Models with the six-speed automatic (with paddle shifters) receive 212 hp and a redline of 7,500 rpm. The six-speed manual version has 232 hp and an atmospheric redline of 9,000 rpm. All RX-8 engines produce a rather meager 152 pound-feet of torque.

Although generally quick by most measures, acceleration is hardly impressive for a sports car. In our tests, a manual-equipped RX-8 went from zero to 60 mph in 7 seconds. Fuel economy is unimpressive at 16 mpg city/22 mpg highway and 18 mpg combined.

Although the 2009 Mazda RX-8 has the look of a race-tuned sports car, its demeanor on the road is considerably more docile. There's plenty of grip in the corners and solid feedback through the steering wheel, but a compliant ride means that it won't beat you up on the daily commute. The rotary engine requires high engine speeds to make serious power, but the delivery is virtually vibration-free and noise levels are subdued. If you like a smooth engine (in feel, sound and delivery), there's none smoother. Overall, the RX-8 is one of the best examples of a car that's both fun to drive and very livable on a day-to-day basis -- just be prepared to pay at the pump.
2009 Mazda RX-8 [Read more!]

Watch your back!

FANCY seeing this in your rear view mirror?

That’s a distinct possibility now that the police have taken delivery of 25 units of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. Better known as the Evo X in some markets, Mitsubishi’s World Rally Championship-inspired high-performance car is as mean as they come. With a 2.0-litre turbocharged Mivec engine pumping out 295bhp, sports suspension and a tarmac gripping all-wheel drive system, suffice to say that the Lancer Evolution has enough blistering pace and sure-footedness to pin down any throttle-happy felons.

According to the Bukit Aman public relations department, the cars will carry the police livery and be equipped with communications and siren systems, and could be deployed for high-speed pursuits or even as VIP escorts. The police version will be a five-speed manual.

Besides Malaysia, the current Evolution model is also used by the police in Japan and Australia as high-speed interceptors.

Pardon the pun but it’s a copping fast car that the Mat Keretas will have to be on the lookout for now. And it looks like the men in uniform will be having some fun. [Read more!]