MOTORING
The RX-8
its got wow factor!
We're not going to mess about here: the Mazda RX-8 is fabulous.
The company has taken a fairly loony idea - a fast, four-seat, reardrive coupe with rear-hinged back doors and a rotary engine - and
made it a production reality.
The RX-8 nameplate logically follows RX-7, but this car is not like
its quick, but very raucous, predecessor of the mid-1990s. This
model is a refined coupe with accommodation for four adults and
their luggage, the ability to comfortably eat motorway miles, as well
as put a smile on the keen driver's face when the going gets twisty.
It's also great value; the standard equipment levels are extremely
high and prices are (comparatively) low.
Mazda is the only manufacturer to pursue the development of the
rotary engine. The RX-8's twin-rotary engine, dubbed Renesis,
develops 192 or 231bhp dependant on the model, and comes with
the same comprehensive warranty as other Mazda models. The car's
construction seems very solid, and the interior is one of the best to
come out of Japan.
The RX-8 has a great image, and a cameo in X-Men II will have done
it no harm.
The RX-8 gets many of the basics right. It has a very good driving
position. The seats are low-slung (for a four-door with a boot), but
very supportive and on the driver's side, fully adjustable. The
gearlever is stubby, triangular in profile and a joy to use. The small
steering wheel with its ideal-width rim adjusts for rake.
Unlike previous rotary engines, there is far less driveline shun. The
RX-8 is easy to drive smoothly, and provides maximum thrills while
remaining eminently usable and comfortable.
The steering is responsive and
all pedals, and the gearbox,
have a cohesive, progressive
feel. It's an agile car, and stable
when pushed.
Keen drivers will also discover
that, with the stability control
switched off, the RX-8's tail
slides beautifully through
corners. Judicious use of the
throttle will straighten its line
on the exit of tight, damp
corners to provide fuss-free
handling that's plenty of fun.
Contact - Northwood Garage,
Newport Road, Cowes.
Tel: (01983) 296031
Island Life - www.islandlifemagazine.net
Take Note...
Nissan's Note is the latest car off the Nissan-Renault B platform,
which forms the basis of models including the Micra, Clio and
Modus - and it's the roomiest yet.
Stretched so it has a longer wheelbase than many C-sector cars, it
replaces the Almera Tino compact MPV and although it's not quite
as big overall, it's just as practical, feels more spacious inside and
is even more user-friendly and
easy to drive. This is a familysized car that really can seat tall
teenagers or adults comfortably in
the back yet, with its sliding rear
seat, can adapt to carry a decent
amount of luggage.
There are no gimmicks in the
Note, therefore: the rear seats do
the usual split-folding thing, and
slide backwards and forwards on
their base by up to 160mm, but
that's about as complex as it gets unless you're opting for the topspec models with keyless entry,
automatic headlights and rainsensing wipers.
Three different engines are
available: 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre petrol engines (88bhp and 110bhp)
or the 1.5 dCi diesel (86bhp). Prices start fr