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Mazda RX-8 Mazdaspeed 2004

Super StreetMazda
250 hp
Horsepower
1370 kg
Weight
RWD
Drivetrain
2004
Year

Mazda RX-8 Mazdaspeed 2004 (Super Street)

The Mazda RX-8 Mazdaspeed 2004 is a sharper, factory-backed take on Mazda’s uniquely engineered four-door rotary sports car. The Mazdaspeed package adds more aggressive aero and a performance-focused attitude to the RX-8’s high-revving, rear-drive chassis.

Key Specs (BoP-dependent, typical sim values)

  • Powertrain: 1.3L naturally aspirated twin-rotor Wankel engine (front-mounted, longitudinal)

  • Total Output: ~250 hp (184 kW)

  • Redline: ~9,000 rpm

  • Transmission: 6-speed manual

  • Weight: ~1,370 kg

  • Dimensions: ~4,435 mm long × 1,770 mm wide × 1,340 mm tall | Wheelbase 2,700 mm

  • Tires: Performance road tires on 18-inch wheels

  • Brakes: Ventilated discs with 4-piston front calipers

  • Layout: Front-engine, rear-wheel drive

In the Simulator Feel

The RX-8 Mazdaspeed 2004 is a momentum-driven, balanced sports car that rewards smooth inputs and high corner speed over brute force. It has a friendly chassis with excellent rotation, making it easy to place precisely through technical sections, while the rotary engine’s power delivery keeps the car lively rather than overwhelming. It’s the kind of car that feels best when you keep it in the sweet spot and carry speed everywhere.

Engine & Sound: The twin-rotor Wankel is smooth, eager, and distinctly different from a piston engine. It revs cleanly toward the top of the tach with a buzzing, metallic wail that builds in pitch rather than punching you in the chest with torque. The sound in sim is part mechanical buzz, part high-strung induction note, giving the RX-8 a unique personality that stands out immediately.

Handling Characteristics:

  • Cornering: Neutral and predictable, with a playful rear end if you lift or trail brake aggressively.

  • Traction: Modest by modern standards, but the chassis is progressive and easy to catch.

  • Braking: Strong road-car braking with enough stability for confident threshold work.

  • Top Speed: Respectable, though it’s more about maintaining momentum than outright straight-line pace.

Driving Style Tip: Drive it like an angle-sensitive momentum car. Stay smooth on entry, avoid scrubbing speed, and use the rotary’s eagerness to keep the chassis balanced through long, flowing corners. It shines on tighter technical circuits and club-style tracks where precision matters more than power.

Livery & Aesthetics: The RX-8’s proportions are clean and purposeful, and the Mazdaspeed treatment gives it a more aggressive street-performance look without losing the car’s elegant profile. The long doors, low stance, and subtle factory aero make it one of the more distinctive Japanese sports cars of its era.

Whether you’re cruising for laps or pushing hard in a close race, the Mazda RX-8 Mazdaspeed 2004 delivers a uniquely rotary experience — smooth, balanced, and full of character.