Photos: 2008 Mazda RX-8

From its distinctive exterior styling to its unique rotary engine, the Mazda RX-8 is a mold-breaker. It is in serious need of a cabin-tech upgrade, but its precise handling and high-revving engine are a joy.

The RX-8's suicide--or "freestyle"--doors open and close without the need for a B-pillar. For this design to work, the back door has to be closed before the front door (which latches to it, as it would to a B-pillar).

The real story with the RX-8 is its 1.3-liter Renesis rotary engine, which is the only one of its kind currently in production. It works by replacing the pistons, valves, and other reciprocating parts of a regular internal combustion engine with two chambers, each containing a three-sided rotor orbiting a central axle. Despite its low displacement, the rotary engine puts out around 240 horsepower.

While the stereo head unit may be something out of the 20th century, the audio in RX-8's cabin plays via a premium Bose-branded sound system, which delivers plenty of bass-line punch.

The RX-8's Grand Touring's standard audio system comprises an in-dash, six-disc changer without the ability to read MP3 or WMA discs. From the evidence of a redundant button on the right of the stereo, it appears that the RX-8 may have once offered tape deck and even minidisc playback capabilities.

The performance difference between the low end of the RX-8's rpm range and the top end is remarkable. Peak power arrives at a stratospheric 8,500rpm, 500 short of the redline.

The RX-8 comes with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic. Thankfully, our test car came with the former, complete with triangular, rotary-themed trim.

Our test car came with the optional "rotary accent package," which includes two polished badges of the same shape attached underneath the front and rear bumpers.

With its distinctive high-revving rotary-engine and comic-book exterior styling, the Mazda RX-8 differentiates from the competition.

Another notable feature of the RX-8's design is the prevalence of triangular symbols inside and out: A reference to the engine's three-sided rotor, these devices adorn the headrests, the gear shifter, and even the top of the hood, giving the cabin a slightly Masonic feel.