Fifth Gear review - Nissan 350z vs mazda RX8 R3

Fifth gear tested the new Nissan 350z versus the 2009 brand new Mazda RX8 R3 version. The R3 is a special edition of the RX8 with 19″ forged wheels, Recaro seats, rear spoiler and a special bodykit.

Mazda Rx8 R3 : 231 BHP 1.3l rotary engine
Nissan 350Z: 309 BHP 3.5l conventional non-turbo engine

Despide the fact that the 350Z has almost 80 more BHP, it finishes with just 1.8s ahead of the mazda. In my opinion the rx8 r3 could have even won, if the track had more tight bends, so that the difference in power of the nissan to count for nothing.

It’s too bad that the mazda engineers havent added more power to the new 2009 version of the rx8, because Nissan has continously increased the power of the 350z during the last years, but i guess this issue can be solved with a turbo kit, air intake and new exhaust.