Exterior Features, Quality:
The first rotary Mazda since the defunct RX-7 of the mid 90s, the RX-8 is an entirely different proposition from other sports car offerings. The rotary engine is an obvious difference, but the RX-8 is also the first sports car with four doors (expanding Saturn's three-door coupe idea). With a base price under $30,000, the RX-8 is destined to succeed where its predecessors have failed - plus, it features a distinctive and agressive design, possible because of the small size of its rotary engine. The RX-8 is truly like nothing else out there, and is therefore a perfect subject for a 1/18 model...and here's what it's like:
Autoart released the RX-8 only last month, and the demand for this model has been huge, obviously due to the excitement for the 1:1. My silver example is beautifully finished - the metallic paint is glossier than any I have ever seen before by Autoart, and the metallic finish is flawless. The way the paint just flows over the muscular and taut body of the RX-8 is one of the neatest effects I've seen yet in this hobby. Shutlines are tighter than ever, with the front hood being almost impossible to open without using a specially designed instrument. Scale is, of course, spot on, and the agressive stance of the car is replicated perfectly in the model. Just glancing at the exterior of Autoart's RX-8, one can see how far the hobby has come in the past years. Still, you can't judge a model from five feet away - it's in the details, and that's what we'll look at next.
The headlights are gorgeous units, with tightly applied lenses, and realistic lights. The side turning indicators are separate pieces, and are devoid of attachment stubs, making for a very impressive appearance. The Mazda symbol at the front is not a separate piece, however, and is just applied to the bodywork. The license plate is carefully applied over the central air duct, and looks fabulous. Too bad that it covers up the central air duct, which is both perforated and textured - really, it's a beautiful piece. Fog lights are present in small intrusions into the RX-8's body: their jewel-like appearance is an improvement over previous Autoart efforts, which were already great. The wheels have impressive detail, replicating the complex shape of the spokes and the central layout very well. Brake discs and calipers are present, and they offer great detail, the discs even showing a little bit of wear all around - an awesome effect, if you ask me. Tires are nicely detailed as well, with some of the most realistic-feeling rubber I've ever come up on, but no sidewall markings are present.
Just ahead of the door, one of the neatest stylistic elements of the RX-8 is the air vent. On the model, the tiny perforations of this feature are nicely replicated, and texturing is present as well. Exterior rearview mirrors look substantial and high-quality, although their attachment to the body feels less than secure. The taillights, the one feature of the design I really don't like, are very realistically detailed, with the transparent lens design done quite well - even the surface bumps for the lamps are present and very nicely replicated. Again, the Mazda emblem is just a sticker, as is the "RX-8" and "Mazda" text - however, it all looks quite realistic and does not detract from the look of the model at all. The exhaust pipes are chromed very neatly, and are actually hollow, a definite improvement over previous Autoart models. While most models look good from afar, a lot of flaws can be noticed when looking up close - it's safe to say that Autoart was prepared for that, and did almost everything to make sure that the RX-8 model is as good from five inches away, as it is from five feet.
24/25
Interior Features, Quality:
Black, black, and more black. If you've ever looked at photos of the new RX-8, you've probably seen the outrageous black and red interior. In fact, I haven't seen a photo set without it. As for the model, what gives? Sure, it's only eye-candy, but it really brightens up a pretty somber interior. Well, maybe it'll come in the future. Anyway, there's not much to complain about here. The dash has superb detail, on par with other Autoart models, but nothing revolutionary. Several features here are really done well, such as the parking brake, the gearshift, and the instruments. Carpet is rich and realistic-feeling, sort of a sweet spot between the textured plastic Autoart used to do, and the overdone carpet that Autoart experimented with in some models. The seats are nicely shaped and look superb, but they are hard plastic, with no texturing. Strange, because this was not a problem in many Autoart releases. Seatbelts are very well detailed, with chromed buckles, and a very realistic belt, so well made that it actually feels like cloth. The ceiling is finished and textured. Hey, even with a few shortcomings, Autoart never fails to please. I just wish it wasn't so dark in there.
24/25
Features:
The RX-8 features an opening hood, doors, and trunk. The hood opens to reveal the almost completely covered engine block. The tiny 1.3-liter Renesis rotary engine sits well into the compartment, helping the RX-8 achieve close to 50-50 weight distribution. The silver font on the engine block is done very well, and brightens up the otherwise pretty somber compartment. With what Autoart had to work with, they did a good job, but the main problem here is that the hood won't stay up. If you've read pretty much any other Autoart review, I've mentioned this, and you know what I'm talking about: it's not difficult, heck, even Motormax can do it for 20% of the price. Why not Autoart? Oh, well - moving on to the doors, they open suicide style, with the rear doors only operational after the fronts are open, just like in the 1:1. The hinges are quite realistic, and the doors are also spring loaded. Really nicely done here. The trunk area is carpeted all around, but, once again, the trunk doesn't stay open. Skip all commentary. Move on. Deduct another point.
23/25
Value:
Like all other Autoarts, the RX-8 offers impressive detail for approachable prices. I paid $65 for mine when it just came out, although the price will come down as the model becomes more widely available and the demand slows. Yet, even for that money, the RX-8 is an excellent value, with some of the best detail Autoart has ever given us, not that there aren't shortcomings. Sure, you can get three Maistos for the same price, but the level of satisfaction is still not the same as getting the latest Autoart model. While prices are high now, as a regular Autoart release, the RX-8 is unlikely to appreciate in price, although the demand will probably always still be there. Furthermore, Autoart's wide distribution will prevent the RX-8 from ever being very rare. At the moment, the Autoart RX-8 only comes in Titanium Gray Metallic and only in RHD, but other colors and setups are planned, especially when the models reach U.S. shores.
24/25
Overall:
Yet another excellent model, yet again made by Autoart. Yet again, I must mention one of the easiest to fix though most annoying shortcomings I've ever seen, the inability for the hood and trunk to stay open. It's beyond me why this cannot be fixed. It's certainly not an isolated issue, with possibly 3/4 of my Autoart collection experiencing problems of this kind. Otherwise, there's really not much to fault here. I wish Autoart would advance its realism a bit more to include sidewall markings on the tires and real textured seats, but these are not major complaints. Really, the RX-8 is one of the best models I have in my collection, and though Autoart has had better releases, none looks more refined than this RX-8 model. A job well done.
