She'll purr like a kitten if you let her...

You've all seen them. You've all heard them. But have you all driven them?

The sound of the RX8's Renesis rotary at 9,000 rpm can only be compared to a complimentary arrangement of symphonic frequencies, or in other terms, like a cigarette after sex. There's no sound of strain, no indication that the engine is tired. It wants more, lot's more.

So what do you do? Give it to her. Mash that pedal to the floor, slam the shifter into the gates, and enjoy the ride.

The thirty minutes that I owned her convinced me that there are finer things in life- elegant 18" rims, a beautifully sculpted interior, gorgeous lines and sweeping curves. Call me a classicalist, but it's the sheer animalistic ferocity that got me. Leather is just a bonus.

EXTERIOR

Designing an automobile that has mass appeal is a very difficult task. Of course, you can go the route of Toyota and design vehicles that, though relatively attractive, look as if they were designed blend into the crowd.

Is such the case with the RX8? Absolutely not.

A subtle rear spoiler combines with the dual exhaust and unique tail lights to give the rear of the vehicle presence. I thought it quaint that I'd mention this first, as the taillights are usually what everyone will see.

Pronounced wheel arcs give the RX8 a wider stance, while the fender air inlets provide functionality. Of course, underneath those arcs are massive 18" rims which compliment the car perfectly. The suicide-style doors negate the need for a centre pillar, shortening the cabin and providing a better visual appeal from the outside.

A very beautiful car indeed. Tired of admiring her from the outside, I decide to open the door and get in.

INTERIOR

Closing the door with a satisfying "thunk", you are presented with an arrangement of materials that combine to create a feeling of refinement. The sport buckets hold you in place, while providing the support you need. The triangular cues throughout the cabin will remind you that you are not driving an ordinary car. The rotary is what makes this sensational machine.

The shifter is the perfect size, just protruding enough to get the job done. The centre console, which features a Bose audio system, looks amazing and it's incorporation into the dash is perfect. Nothing feels out of place, but most importantly, nothing is out of reach.

Seating position is perfect- low enough that you know you're driving a sports car, but high enough to give an excellent view of the world around you. Often sports cars place you too low, so that the world can see you but you can't see it.

The audio system is one of the best I've ever heard in a stock vehicle. The low notes are presented aggressively enough, but are not overstated. Midrange is present and well done, and the high notes are clearly reproduced. Turning the volume up doesn't bring distortion until you get into levels so high that you probably can't hear it anyway. Manufactures have been incorporating large woofers into their vehicles lately (Lancer RalliArt, or Cobalt SS) to compensate for an otherwise lackluster system. You will find no such thing here. Being an audiophile, the stereo is usually the first change I make with every vehicle I own. I'm confident in the capabilities of this system.

Upon starting the engine, I'm thrust forward and my focus has shifted.

DRIVING IMPRESSIONS

With the windows down, and the stereo (along with the heater) turned up, I am careening down Deerfoot Trail. The experience is nothing sort of extraordinary. Sure, you could drive like a madman in any vehicle and have a good time, but that's just what makes this car so unique- you don't have to in order to enjoy it.

Cruising at 100km/hr, I decide that it's time to see what this car is capable of and I quick punch it. Now pulling at 130 in the left hand lane I am satisfied. I exit onto Glenmore, and enjoy the entire length of the ramp. After all, a good off ramp is a terrible thing to waste.

I quickly leave Glenmore and am now in the industrial areas surround Blackfoot Trail. The entire length of the drive I am enjoying the cars power band, but most important, the sound of the dual exhaust when the engine is screaming in the high rpm's. In any other car, I'd be afraid to run it at 7,000 rpm. In this one, it just feels natural.

The car handles very well, though I find the suspension to be a bit too soft. Perhaps I am a little biased, but I believe that a sports car should handle as if it's on rails. Body roll is unacceptable. Though I experience some in this vehicle, it was very limited and didn't hurt my experience.

The clutch is a bit stiffer than what I am used to, but I quickly mastered it and was enjoying the transmission. Shifting is easy enough, and feels very solid. Though I have felt more refined transmissions, this one is not bad by any means. Braking is a bit sensitive, and I did notice a bid of fade. However, it was manageable and pretty good for a stock setup.

Acceleration is brisk, and though it's a little soft in the low rpms, the engine quickly picks up the slack as soon as you explore the rev range. Though I found speed, and lots of it, I didn't find a lot of torque. My butt dyno wasn't as satisfied as it was when I drove the 350Z, or even the older RX7 twin turbo. However, I am sure that there is a large and accessible aftermarket that could solve that problem.

I navigated myself back to Kramer, taking the long route down Deerfoot and Anderson, and relinquished the car back to the sales associate.

CONCLUSION

A very solid entry into the market. Though it has been around for a few years, you don't see very many of them. I hope that the buying public at least gives this machine a chance- she wants to prove her worthiness to you.

All you have to do is give her some high-octane and a little bit of love.