Most of the Japanese sports cars that once appeared on our shores were chased away thanks to a strong Japanese Yen

The RX-7 might be history, but the RX-8 is alive and better than ever. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

in the early 1990s. For the most part they sold here in small numbers and have now been relegated to cult/enthusiast status. A shortlist included the Toyota Supra, Nissan 300ZX, Mitsubishi 3000 GT (never sold in Canada) and the Mazda RX-7. While these cars disappeared from our shores for a while, variations on the sport coupe theme have started trickling back during the early part of this century, including Nissan's Z, Mazda's RX, and a recently released supercar called the GT something or other that seems to be garnering some favourable press of late. But let's get back to that middle one, the RX-8.

Unchanged since 2004, Mazda has turned some attention toward its aging flagship and unveiled a mid-cycle refreshing for 2009 that includes exterior, interior and engineering updates. Mazda's other sports car, the MX-5 Miata, is also getting a mid-cycle upgrade for 2009, but that's another story for another time.

The RX-8 trim level I spent time with is the highest performing factory RX-8 ever,

The R3 package gives the regular RX-8 more edge. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

dubbed R3. While the letter R has been used on just about everything by every Japanese automaker (or European for that matter), for Mazda its historical significance comes from the R1 & R2 packages offered from 1993-95 on the FD3S, or third generation RX-7 as it's known to non-enthusiasts. The R1/R2 packages were the track spec models and featured twin oil coolers, a front tower brace, cloth seats, a (much) stiffer suspension setup, plus front lip and rear spoilers. The R2 was slightly softer since Mazda addressed customer complaints about the R1's kidney-rattling ride. Less than 2,000 of either package were imported to North America.

This time around suspension modifications were kept to a minimum, as the R3 performance package outfits the RX-8 with a set of Bilstein shock absorbers and urethane foam-filled front suspension cross-members to assist in a smoother ride and greater suspension control. Otherwise it's the same aluminum double-wishbone suspension we have come to love, with minor geometry changes in the rear to improve handling. If you've driven any RX-8, something that you wouldn't think possible is

All controls feed information through in minute detail. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

improved: rigidity. This comes courtesy of structural reinforcements, improved driveshaft stiffness and a trapezoidal strut tower bar that not only benefits handling and performance, but also lowers noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels.

It works. The new car seems much better at the limit, rewarding spirited driving by delivering a balanced feel through any corner you can throw it at. Actually, balance doesn't really even cover it, since it's now possible to really become one with the car. Everything comes together to provide a tactile feel throughout, and the RX-8 feeds exactly what's going on between road and tire, and everywhere else, right back to you. I spent a Sunday (as I usually do) at a Solo2 event since the RX-8 shines when let loose in competition, thanks to brakes that are strong and linear as well as steering feel that is nothing short of telepathic. Amazingly, this feel comes courtesy of a variable electric rack-and-pinion power steering system.

Likewise, the manual gearbox is one of the best around and pure pleasure when rowed up and down through any of the six gears. Mazda offers an automatic

The last rotary in production, the 232-hp 1.3L RENESIS is a fine piece of engineering. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

transmission on lesser models, but you get a lower redline and less horsepower; although paddle-shifters are part of the package. Manual-equipped models, mind you, benefit from a lower differential ratio, from 4.777 to 4.444, which improves the car's snappiness off the line. Under the feather-light aluminum hood is the same naturally aspirated 232-horsepower 1.3-litre RENESIS rotary engine, which when it comes to anything mechanical is the epitome of smoothness. Yes it's an overused description of the rotary, but there really is nothing better to describe it. This year the tachometer includes a variable red-zone that indicates when the Wankel is up to operating temperature, meaning that as the engine warms up the closer you can get to that glorious 9,000 rpm redline. Which is good since torque is not a rotary strong point at a maximum of 159 lb-ft, so expect to be spinning its rotors for all there worth in order to extract all the performance within. Thankfully 9,000 rpm is a fun place to be.

If you can't afford a 2009 RX-8, then you can take advantage of depreciation and feel confident in shopping for a 2004-2008 model as Mazda, in a show of confidence in it's flagship engine, has extended the warranty on the rotary in every RX-8 sold

All four Recaro seats hold occupants firmly in place, no matter how spirited the drive. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

to a full eight years or 160,000 kilometers, whichever comes first. Few mainstream car buyers comprehend the rotary engine, so Mazda's faith in Felix Wankel's design might persuade a few more to buy one. I love the RX-8, and when I was looking for my next car it was on the shortlist, the main reason we decided against it over my Mazdaspeed6 was fuel economy.

Ah, dreaded fuel economy, the rotary engine's Achilles heel. Although many improvements in economy and emissions have been made by Mazda's engineers over the years, the 2009 RX-8 is still rated at an abysmal 12.8 L/100 km in the city and 9.2 on the highway (16 mpg city and 22 highway US), which is worse than many three-row crossovers that weigh nearly a ton more. In Mazda's defense and to the delight of rotary enthusiasts, when you work to refine and reengineer an engine for 40 years you don't just give up on it because fuel prices are going crazy, especially since any variety of Mazda's Wankel engine has always been focused on performance. For an improvement in that regard, we're going to have to wait for the next-gen rotary, which is said to have direct injection for more precise fuel metering. Of course,

The R3 package adds a 300-watt BOSE audio system with Centerpoint surround sound and a Bluetooth hands-free phone system. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

had the R3 been available when I purchased my ‘Speed6 my decision most likely would have swung to the RX-8…since I love that it looks like a modified RX-8.

External changes give it a dose of much needed aggression courtesy of a different front bumper with fog lights, side skirts, a rear bumper, a rear spoiler, headlamps, LED tail lamps, larger exhaust pipes and gorgeous gunmetal 19-inch forged aluminum wheels wrapped in sticky Bridgestone Potenza RE050 tires. Sprayed in Electric Blue Mica, the RX-8 R3 turned a lot of heads. It isn't for introverts, obviously, so expect to garner a lot of attention, both good and bad. If the R3 isn't your thing, the RX-8 GS and GT receive similar albeit less aggressive upgrades.

Settling into the driver's seat, there are two things you'll immediately notice about the R3's interior. One, like the Miata, the steering wheel only tilts, and two, the seats are some of the best ever put into a production car. They are by Recaro, the storied manufacturer of race seats, and look to be straight out of the Japanese version of the RX-8, so as such you had better hope your figure doesn't resemble a sumo wrestler.

The world's only four-door sports car is a great all-rounder for the performance enthusiast. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

The seats are infinitely adjustable, necessary to deal with the lack of a telescoping steering wheel, plus the side bolsters are leather and even side airbag equipped. They are also really comfortable and more supportive than Dr Phil could ever hope to be. After an hour on the track I was pleasantly surprised at how little gets transferred to the passengers through the suspension, and what's more, I had no clearance issues while wearing my race helmet.

Other highlights of the interior include a redesigned dash centre stack and steering wheel. The R3 adds a 300-watt BOSE audio system with Centerpoint surround sound, a Bluetooth hands-free phone system, those fabulous Recaro sport seats, a leather-wrapped parking brake handle, and Mazda's advanced keyless entry and start system. The only real annoyances I had with the RX-8 were with visibility. The rearview mirror reflects the rear spoiler and not much else, and on another note, glancing upwards gives the impression that the headliner should be black to match the rest of the interior. These are both minor issues, and by the end of my week didn't bother me quite as much.

As the world's only four-door sports car, thanks its unique freestyle four-door design, the RX-8 is a fabulous all-rounder. Mazda touts that the RX-8 is proof that a true sports car does not need to sacrifice space or convenience for performance. Securing my son's booster seat in the back wasn't an issue, although he couldn't buckle himself in due to the console that runs the full length of the interior. Even the trunk holds more than enough for most peoples' daily use. Sure, your minivan or SUV hauls a 4X8 sheet of plywood, but have you ever actually hauled any building supplies home? If so, how often? Yes, usually anything that's billed as an “all-in-one” device comes with a long list of compromises, but not the RX-8. It is truly a sports car and a family car at the same time.

Specification (2009 RX8 R3):

• Price: $40,780 (no options available)
  
• Body Type: 4-door coupe
• Layout: front engine, RWD
• Engine: 232 hp, 159 lb-ft of torque, 1.3L, 2-rotor Wankel rotary
• Transmission: 6-spd manual
• Brakes (front/rear): disc/disc, ABS, EBD
• Dimensions (L/W/H/WB): 4,424 / 1,770 / 1,340 / 2,700 mm (174.2 / 69.7 / 52.8 / 106.3 in)
• Curb Weight: 1,389 kg (3,062 lbs)
• Tires: 225/40R19
• Cargo Volume (trunk): 290 L (10.2 cu-ft)
• Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 12.8 / 9.2 L/100 km
• Warranty (mo/km): 36/80,000 comprehensive - 84/160,000 powertrain
• Direct Competitors: none
• Website: www.mazda.ca