Mazda RX-8 0–60 Times
The Mazda RX-8 0–60 times and quarter-mile times below are from 12 verified production tests sourced from reputable automotive resources such as Car and Driver, Motor Trend and MotorWeek and more. A further 2 modified or prototype runs are listed by year but kept out of every record and average, per our methodology.
The fastest tested production Mazda RX-8 is the 2004 Mazda RX-8 Coupe, which went from 0 to 60 mph in 5.90 seconds, reaching the ¼ mile in 14.50 seconds at 96.0 mph, according to Car and Driver.
The slowest tested production Mazda RX-8 is the 2009 Mazda RX-8 R3 Coupe, which took 6.70 seconds to reach 60 mph, running the ¼ mile in 15.10 seconds at 93.0 mph, according to Car and Driver.
Across the 12 verified production tests of the Mazda RX-8, the average 0–60 mph time is 6.34 seconds. The average quarter-mile time is 14.83 seconds at 94.17 mph.
Separately, 2 modified or prototype runs are on record for the Mazda RX-8, led by the 2006 Mazda RX-8 Protech Performance Coupe at 4.90 seconds. These are not stock configurations and are excluded from the figures above.
Fastest 0–60 5.90sec 2004 Coupe · stock
Average 0–60 6.34sec Across 12 production runs
Fastest Modified 4.90sec 2006 Protech Performance Coupe · modified
Avg ¼ Mile 14.83sec @ 94.2 mph trap
Slowest 0–60 6.70sec 2009 R3 Coupe
Across 12 verified production runs, the Mazda RX-8 ranges from 5.90 to 6.70 seconds 0–60, with a 6.34-second average. 2 modified or prototype runs are recorded separately and excluded from this range.
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Mazda RX-8 Performance Overview
Mazda’s RX-8, produced from 2004 to 2009, centers its performance identity on the FE generation’s compact 13B-MSP Renesis rotary engine and a light, rear-drive coupe layout. Across 14 verified tests spanning 2004 to 2009, all from production cars, the RX-8 posts a 0-60 range from 4.9 to 6.7 seconds and averages 14.69 seconds in the quarter-mile at 95.7 mph. Early in the run, the 2004 Pettit Racing Coupe set the initial benchmark at 5.7 seconds to 60 mph, showing the platform’s tuning headroom alongside standard naturally aspirated examples.
By 2006, the FE reached its quickest recorded form with the 2006 Protech Performance Coupe at 4.9 seconds to 60 mph and 13.5 seconds at 109 mph in the quarter-mile, the fastest figures in the dataset. Mainstream trims clustered higher: the 2007 Grand Touring Coupe ran 6.4 seconds to 60 mph, while later R3 examples ranged from 5.9 seconds in 2009 to 6.7 seconds in another 2009 R3 Coupe test. Engine output remained in the 232–238 hp range, and while the production car stayed gasoline-powered and naturally aspirated, the test history also includes turbocharged and supercharged builds. Today, the RX-8’s recorded performance is defined by that FE-era rotary formula and a best of 4.9 seconds to 60 mph.
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Mazda RX-8 0–60 Times by Generation
1 generation| Generation | Years | Avg 0–60 | Fastest 0–60 | Production Tests | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FE | 2004–2012 | 6.34s | 5.90s — 2004 Coupe | 12 | The FE generation (2004–2012) averaged 6.34 seconds to 60 mph across 12 production tests, led by the 2004 Coupe at 5.90 seconds. Output ranged from 232 to 238 hp across 1.3L R2, 1.3L Supercharger R2, 1.3L Turbo R2 configurations. A further 2 results from 2 modified vehicles are recorded but excluded from the average. |
FE 2004–2012
Avg 0–60 6.34s
Fastest 5.90s
Tests 12
2004 Coupe
The FE generation (2004–2012) averaged 6.34 seconds to 60 mph across 12 production tests, led by the 2004 Coupe at 5.90 seconds. Output ranged from 232 to 238 hp across 1.3L R2, 1.3L Supercharger R2, 1.3L Turbo R2 configurations. A further 2 results from 2 modified vehicles are recorded but excluded from the average.
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Mazda RX-8 0–60 Times by Year and Trim
12 production tests + 2 modified · 4 years ▾
2009 Mazda RX-8
3 production runs Avg 0–60 6.53 sec
Avg ¼ Mile 15.00 sec
Production Tests 3
#05
2009 Mazda RX-8 R3 Coupe
6.30sec 0–60
14.90s ¼ mi @ 94.0 mph
▾
- 0–60 mph
- 6.30 sec
- ¼ Mile ET
- 14.90 sec
- Trap Speed
- 94.0 mph
- Engine
- 1.3L R2
- Drivetrain
- RWD
- Transmission
- 6M
- Horsepower
- 232 hp
- Torque
- 159 lb-ft
- Curb Weight
- 3,065 lbs
- Power-to-Weight
- 13.2 lbs/hp
- MPG EPA
- 16 C / 22 H / 14 Obs
- Production Vehicle
- Body Type
- Coupe
- Powertrain
- Gasoline
- Test Source
- Car and Driver
- Overall Rank
- #5 of 12 production runs
#09
2009 Mazda RX-8 R3 coupe
6.60sec 0–60
15.00s ¼ mi @ 95.0 mph
▾
- 0–60 mph
- 6.60 sec
- ¼ Mile ET
- 15.00 sec
- Trap Speed
- 95.0 mph
- Engine
- 1.3L R2
- Drivetrain
- RWD
- Transmission
- 6M
- Horsepower
- 232 hp
- Torque
- 159 lb-ft
- Curb Weight
- 3,065 lbs
- Power-to-Weight
- 13.2 lbs/hp
- MPG EPA
- 16 C / 22 H
- Production Vehicle
- Body Type
- Coupe
- Powertrain
- Gasoline
- Test Source
- MotorWeek
- Overall Rank
- #9 of 12 production runs
#12
2009 Mazda RX-8 R3 Coupe
6.70sec 0–60
15.10s ¼ mi @ 93.0 mph
▾
- 0–60 mph
- 6.70 sec
- ¼ Mile ET
- 15.10 sec
- Trap Speed
- 93.0 mph
- Engine
- 1.3L R2
- Drivetrain
- RWD
- Transmission
- 6M
- Horsepower
- 232 hp
- Torque
- 159 lb-ft
- Curb Weight
- 3,065 lbs
- Power-to-Weight
- 13.2 lbs/hp
- MPG EPA
- 16 C / 22 H / 15 Obs
- Production Vehicle
- Body Type
- Coupe
- Powertrain
- Gasoline
- Test Source
- Car and Driver
- Overall Rank
- #12 of 12 production runs
How we verify Mazda RX-8 performance data
Records and averages on this page cover verified production runs only; modified and prototype results are listed by year but never folded into them. We include only independently published road-test results from automotive publications. Manufacturer-claimed 0–60 times are excluded unless clearly labeled. When multiple publications test the same Mazda RX-8 trim, each run is listed separately — weather, tires, surface, rollout, and instrumentation all affect results.
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Mazda RX-8 0–60 and quarter-mile distribution
0–60 vs ¼ mile · lower-left is fasterEach dot is a verified production test run
0–60 → ¼ mile →
Fastest Recorded run Slowest
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Mazda RX-8 performance FAQs
10 questions The 2009 Mazda RX-8 R3 Coupe runs 0-60 in 6.3 to 6.7 seconds across recorded stock tests. The quickest 2009 run is 6.3 seconds, with quarter-mile results ranging from 14.9 to 15.1 seconds at 93 to 95 mph. All listed 2009 tests use the 232-hp 13B-MSP Renesis rotary and rear-wheel drive.
The quickest RX-8 on record is the 2006 Protech Performance Coupe at 4.9 seconds from 0-60 mph. It also posts the fastest quarter-mile result for the model at 13.5 seconds at 109 mph. That car is heavily modified, so it represents the fastest overall RX-8 result rather than the fastest stock example.
The fastest stock RX-8 on record is a 2004 Coupe, which reaches 60 mph in 5.9 seconds. That makes it the quickest production-spec result among 14 production RX-8 tests. If you include modified builds, the overall RX-8 best drops to 4.9 seconds, but that comes from a heavily modified 2006 Protech Performance Coupe.
Across 14 RX-8 tests, the average 0-60 time is 6.19 seconds. Average quarter-mile performance is 14.69 seconds at 95.7 mph. The quickest result on record is 4.9 seconds to 60 mph, while the slowest is 6.7 seconds. Those figures show a fairly wide spread between stock cars and the quickest modified build.
The FE-generation Mazda RX-8, covering 2004 to 2012, averages 6.19 seconds from 0-60 mph across 14 tests. The fastest FE result is 4.9 seconds from the 2006 Protech Performance Coupe. Power outputs recorded for this generation range from 232 to 238 hp, with naturally aspirated, turbocharged, and supercharged examples appearing on record.
The fastest FE RX-8 on record is the 2006 Protech Performance Coupe at 4.9 seconds from 0-60 mph. That is the quickest result for the 2004-2012 RX-8 generation overall. If you only want a stock FE RX-8, the best production time is 5.9 seconds from a 2004 Coupe.
The RX-8 R3 has recorded 0-60 times of 6.3, 6.6, and 6.7 seconds. The quickest R3 run is 6.3 seconds, and its quarter-mile times range from 14.9 to 15.1 seconds with trap speeds from 93 to 95 mph. All listed R3 results are stock coupes with the 232-hp 13B-MSP Renesis engine and rear-wheel drive.
The standard RX-8 Coupe is quicker on record. The best Coupe run is 5.9 seconds to 60 mph, while the best R3 Coupe run is 6.3 seconds. Looking at averages, the Coupe sits at 6.25 seconds across 8 tests, compared with 6.5 seconds across 2 tests for the R3 Coupe.
The Mazda RX-8 Grand Touring Coupe has a recorded 0-60 time of 6.5 seconds. That places it close to the R3 Coupe's average pace, but behind the quickest standard RX-8 Coupe result of 5.9 seconds. For buyers comparing trims, the Grand Touring falls into the mid-6-second range rather than the fastest RX-8 group.
Across 14 RX-8 tests, the average quarter-mile time is 14.69 seconds at 95.7 mph. The fastest quarter-mile on record is 13.5 seconds at 109 mph from the heavily modified 2006 Protech Performance Coupe. For the 2009 RX-8 R3 Coupe, quarter-mile times range from 14.9 to 15.1 seconds at 93 to 95 mph.
Sources
Car and Driver
Motor Trend
MotorWeek
Road & Track
0–60 and quarter-mile times vary with driver, weather, tire temperature, and wear. We collect every verified run we can find — so you see the range of what a Mazda RX-8 can do, not a single marketing claim.
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Other Mazda 0–60 times
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