The driving position in the RX8 is slightly limited in terms of adjustment due to the absence of a telescoping steering column. There is plenty of travel in its tilt operation, but even Mazda's entry vehicle, the Mazda3, arrives with a telescopic wheel. And a number performance oriented vehicles are pushing the perfect driving position envelope even further with the inclusion of fore and aft adjustable pedals. Long legged (or short legged) creatures are often very appreciative of this provision, especially when the pedals can be pushed forward to off-set the leg restrictions that accompany driver's seat adjustments necessary to accommodate the femurs of rear passengers.

The RX8 pumps out 238-hp at 9,000 rpm from its diminutive 1.3-liter rotary powerplant. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

A sports car is all about driving and once settled in the cockpit, the RX8 doesn't disappoint. The diminutive 1.3-liter rotary powerplant packs plenty of inspiration. In the upscale 6-speed manual version it spins out 238 horsepower prior to reaching its thrilling 9,000 rpm redline. "Did he really say 9,000 rpm redline," I hear you asking yourself. Well yes I did! Unlike conventional piston engines, which have many more moving parts, a rotary engine has very few, the most significant of which are the two rotors spinning oblong within the block. There are no valves opening and closing or pistons blasting up and down in a rotary. As the rotors spin faster they spin smoother. At 9,000 rpm the rotary engine produces very little vibration, which is the nemesis of powerful piston engines.

The one area that the high revving rotary engine falls short is torque, only producing 159 lb-ft. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

Where the little Wankel rotary shows its weakness is in the area of torque. In the RX8 6-speed only a maximum of 159 foot-pounds are available. This limitation becomes evident as more weight is added to the vehicle in the way of hefty passengers. Normally a well balanced, powerful engine matches the horsepower output with an equivalent torque rating, or even one that exceeds it. But despite its nominal torque figure don't resolve into believing that the RX8 is lackluster in acceleration. With 238 horsepower, six forward gears and 9,000 rpm to play with, the "sports" component of the label "sports car" is well represented. Running through the gears and savoring the rotary's definitive exhaust note is electrifying. The little rotary is also capable of generating power from very low to very high in the rev range. At 7,000 rpm, when most engines are past peaking and approaching disintegration, it kicks up the ante with a noticeable surge of juice.