Mazda RX-8

The wraps are finally off the facelifted Mazda RX-8, which made its debut at the Detroit Show. The innovative Japanese coupe has undergone a number of revisions in an effort to refresh the five-year old design. There's also a new hardcore range-topper, called the R3.

Designers have kept exterior modifications to minimum, meaning buyers are still treated to the reverse opening rear doors. The biggest changes are to the nose, where the RX-8 gets a new, deeper front bumper and revised headlights. At the back are tweaked rear lamps and the twin exhausts now have a larger 90mm diameter.

Inside the updates are similarly low-key. A revised centre console is joined by a new steering wheel and redesigned seats front and rear. Finally, a variable red-line rev-counter lets the driver know when engine is up to operating temperature.

Under the skin there have been a number of modifications to improve handling and refinement. Structural reinforcments and revised rear suspension geometry should mean sharper driving dynamics, while also reducing noise levels.

The engine line-up remains the same as before, with the 1.3-litre Wankel rotary motor available in two states of tune. Top models get 230bhp and a six-speed manual gearbox. Plump for the six cog auto and the power output is dropped to 210bhp.

To all of this, the R3 adds side skirts and 19-inch alloys to the exterior, while the cabin gets Recaro seats, leather trim and a 300-watt Bose sound system. To make sure the driving experience is up to scratch engineers have fitted specially tweaked dampers to the suspension.

The first UK examples should arrive on these shores late this year.