A twist of 8

In fact, the entry-level machine that Auto Express is driving here for the first time makes do with a 189bhp 1.3-litre RENESIS rotary engine - that's 39bhp down on the flagship 228bhp version. On paper, the differences between the two are predictable. The lower-powered RX-8 reaches 62mph from a standstill in 7.2 seconds, trailing the more potent variant by 0.8 seconds, while the maximum speed is 139mph, 7mph less.

Thankfully, in everyday driving the drop in performance is less noticeable - and it's all down to torque. In a quirk of the rotary engine, the 189bhp car produces 220Nm, while the 228bhp RX-8 offers only 211Nm at a lofty 5,500rpm. With the cheaper version, 80 per cent of the total pulling power is available at a mere 2,500rpm, making town driving much less of a chore. That said, acceleration tails off after the peak torque has been delivered, but most people will still find in-gear performance impressive. Unfortunately, drivers of this variant have to make do with only five gears instead of the more versatile six ratios of the flagship RX-8, but the car's superb handling balance remains unaffected.

The very best feature of the new 189bhp Mazda is the ΂£20,000 asking price. This machine also boasts a CO2 emissions figure of 267g/km - that's 17g/km less than the 228bhp model. There will be savings in fuel costs, too, as the cheaper RX-8 returns 26.2mpg, 1.4mpg more than the range-topper.

So has Mazda managed to turn the RX-8 range on its head? Well, that depends on what your priorities are. For the ultimate performance thrill, the higher-powered version is well worth its ΂£2,000 premium. However, if you value additional low-down torque, then go for the entry-level model and pocket savings right across the board.