Flagship Mazda roars back

Quite definitely the new Mazda RX-8 is unlike any other car on the road today.

For a start its high revving engine has no cylinders, pistons or valves. But it will accelerate from 0-62 mph in 6.4 seconds, and when you can find somewhere legal to perform, it will go on up to 148 mph. Yet officially the engine is only a 1.3 litre.

Nothing can really prepare you for the wonderful spine-tingling sound from this latest generation of the Renesis rotary engine that spins right up to 9,000 rpm.

Mazda first produced this four-seater sports car back in 2003, and is still the only manufacturer to persevere with the rotary engine.

The company first used such an engine back in 1967 and now, some 40 years and two million Mazda rotary engines on, here is the latest version of the RX-8, making it the only rotary engine production car in the world.

It is an exceptionally smooth and high-revving power plant. But it does suffer a little from high fuel consumption and oil - new owners are even given a pack of oil with the tool kit.

The RX-8 is also unusual in that it is a coupe with four doors - the back doors are hinged at the rear allowing for easier entry and four seats. You can officially fit four adults inside, but the ones unlucky enough to get put in the rear will need to be small.

Mazda has certainly worked on improving the old model and it is an even better car than the previous model - with even more 'zoom zoom.'

The front end has been redesigned to give the car a more aggressive appearance with a larger grille and new headlamps. There are new side skirts and a rear spoiler.

Some owners thought the old model rolled a little, so Mazda has changed the shock absorbers and that problem has certainly been cured.

It now takes corners even faster and more positively. And to deal with the oil consumption the sump has been increased to seven litres.

Mazda says that with normal driving that is sufficient to last between the 12,500 miles service intervals. But personally I would still check the oil levels on a regular basis - that oil pack in the boot is there for a reason.

Inside the car has been given a makeover. This includes a new dashboard, Recaro front seats as standard and integrated Bluetooth That little stubby gear lever controlling the six speed manual gearbox, which puts the power to the rear wheels is to die for, and as for that lovely exhaust note as the engine comfortably revs up to 9,000 rpm - wow!

There is also an excellent Bose sound system, with nine speakers, a reasonable amount of storage space in the cabin (two cupholders). But the boot is surprisingly large and will take a set of golf clubs.

The spare wheel has gone and in its place is more luggage space and a weight saving puncture repair kit. Of course, this is only fine if the puncture is not too serious.

Yes, the RX-8 was a great car when it was first released, and now it is even better. Officially the average fuel consumption is stated to be 24.6mpg.

I could only achieve about 22. The emissions are 299g/km putting the car in VED Band G (£400 a year). Insurance is Group 16E.

The standard on the road price is £24,995 - about £2,000 more than the new MINI John Cooper Works car, but well worth the extra for me.

By Peter Carroll