Mazda RX-8

The Mazda RX-8 R3, also known as simply Mazda RX8 in the Asphalt series, is a performance package version of the second generation Mazda RX-8. The Mazda RX-8 is the successor to the Mazda RX-7, making its debut at the 2001 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), with productions from 2003 to 2012.

Overview
Text originally from the Mazda RX-8 Wikipedia article

The RX-8 was designed as a front mid-engine, rear-wheel drive four-door, four-seater quad coupe. The car has near 50:50 front-rear weight distribution and a low polar moment of inertia, achieved by mounting the engine behind the front axle and the fuel tank ahead of the rear axle. The front suspension uses double wishbones and the rear is multi-link. Weight is trimmed through the use of materials such as aluminium and plastic for several body panels. The rest of the body is steel, except for the plastic front and rear bumpers. The manual gearbox model uses a carbon fiber composite driveshaft to reduce the rotational mass (momentum of inertia) connected to the engine. At the heart of the Mazda RX-8 is its high-revving, 1.3-liter rotary engine. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a torque-sensing conical limited slip differential for improved handling. While underpowered in comparison to the final RX-7, the RX-8 is considered its successor as Mazda's rotary engine sports sedan.

A prominent feature of the RX-8 is a pair of rear-hinged "freestyle" doors (similar to suicide doors) to provide easier access to the rear seats. The RX-8 has no B-pillar between the front and rear doors, but the leading edge of the rear door acts as a "virtual pillar" to maintain structural rigidity. Because of the overlapping design, the rear doors can be opened only when the front doors are open. Although by no means expansive, the RX-8's cabin was designed to allow enough room to house four adults, making it a genuine 4-seater rather than a 2+2.

The R3 version was introduced for the 2009 year model. The R3 package added slightly improved suspension over the base model by adding Bilstein shock absorbers and a foam filled front crossmember to improve rigidity. The R3 also came with 19-inch forged aluminum-alloy wheels and high performance tires. On the exterior, the R3 had a different, lower front bumper sporting a splitter, lower side sills, and a standard rear spoiler. There is a pair of special Recaro seats up front, along with the same 300-watt Bose audio system, Bluetooth, and Mazda advanced keyless entry and start system. No electric sunroof was offered in the R3 model.

The R3 version is the one used in the Asphalt series.

Asphalt 8: Airborne
Summary

The Mazda RX-8 R3, renamed to Mazda RX8, appears in Asphalt 8: Airborne as part of the Elite Cars Update. The Mazda RX-8 and Devel Sixteen Prototype are the first Elite Cars in the game.

Performance

Sitting at the top of Class D, the Mazda RX-8 shares its starting rank with the Nissan 370Z (893), has a MAX rank of 1208 (third highest in Class D), and a MAX+PRO rank of 1359, the third highest in Class D. As an Elite Car, it can be tuned even higher than 1359 up to 1407. The car receives a Tuning Kit bonus of 62 rank points, allowing for a maximum total of 1469 rank points. Its main rivals are the nanoFlowcell QUANTINO, Donkervoort D8 GTO and Buick Avista Concept.

The Mazda RX-8 is the second fastest accelerating Class D car, with acceleration very similar to the Ferrari 330 P4 and the Honda S2000. The RX-8 also has the best top speed stat in Class D, even better than the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, along with superb handling and drifting capabilities. When compared to the Donkervoort D8 GTO, the RX-8's acceleration, nitro consumption rates, and overall handling abilities are inferior, but otherwise has a better top speed and better total speed. Overall, the Mazda RX-8 is a car that can compete on virtually every track. The suggested Elite Tuning configuration for this car is: minimum, maximum, minimum, maximum (-4, 4, -4, 4).

However, on long tracks, the Mazda RX-8 does have a problem (and probably its only downfall) – its moderate nitro efficiency, rated as 8/13/18 (different from the Nissan 370Z's 8/13/15), does require the RX8 to drift through long straights to regain nitro, but otherwise has an excellent top speed stat to compensate for this.

As an Elite Car, tune ups for the Mazda RX-8 cost and requires 1 hour of waiting or up to  to instantly finish the process.

Usage

In Multiplayer, the Mazda RX-8 benefits from its Elite Tuning and can compete with cars such as the Mazda 6, Donkervoort D8 GTO, and Lamborghini Miura. Using it for Multiplayer is however, not recommended as regardless of tuning setup, there will be always cars that crush it easily.

In D Class Time Limited Events, the RX-8 remains as the best car, even after more than a year. This is due to its all round performance, and the nitro efficiency of 8/13/18 is somehow manageable, allowing it to overthrow the nanoFlowcell QUANTINO (due to having a speed mod of 95.75%, even with its better nitro efficiency), Donkervoort D8 GTO (due to the Donkervoort's lower total speed) and Buick Avista Concept (due to its slightly low total speed and poor handling). The RX-8 can possibly beat its rivals even without an active Extra Tank.

Price

The Mazda RX-8 costs (shared with the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe from Class C) to purchase and  /  to max out.