Mazda could not be accused of being conventional when launching its groundbreaking RX-8. There is nothing about this sports coupé that can be compared to anything else. It's a breath of fresh air.

RX-8 is a 1.3-litre twin-rotary engined sports coupé that can seat four adults in luxury and whisk them along in quiet comfort. 0-62mph in a brisk 6.4 seconds makes for a very exciting driving experience.

The four-door coupé is a real eye-catcher. From its curvaceous bonnet with angled headlights inserted into the wheel arches that flow smoothly around huge alloy wheels, along the sleek body with its large front door and small 'hidden' rear door to the petite rear end that seems to rise up above a deep moulded bumper, finished off with a small boot lip joining the rear light clusters and finishing off the smart saloon-cum-coupé look.

Appeal is the watchword with this sporty little number. It's not trying to look like a Ferrari and it's not at all Mondeo-like. It has a timeless look that will have a long shelf life and so will appeal to a large consumer base. I find it appealing for a number of reasons. Aside from its eye-catching good looks it is practical, gobbling up the family and a week's groceries effortlessly. It is fast and comparatively economic when compared to a similar fast machine and above all it has a cool £22,000 price tag, less than some of the competing two-seater coupés on the market.

Unique is another word that sits quite happily in the description of this car. Freestyle doors make the car look like a two-door coupé but once you have opened the larger front door a handle for the rear door is revealed, which opens backwards to reveal an enormous opening for the rear passenger to get in – unique!

Inside the coupé there is plenty of legroom and four average adults can fit comfortably. The two-tone red and black leather sports seats are opulent to say the least with a fixed headrest and stylish brushed chrome inset. Although it says they are anti-whiplash, being short my head hardly reached the headrest but I didn't want to see if the anti-whiplash worked!

Chrome is used throughout the cabin in subtle sweeps, the thin door handles are chrome and it circles the sat nav in the central display console. Even the gear knob is topped in chrome. And to complement it are shiny black plastic facings. I know it sounds tacky, but it really works – the right combination of materials I think.

The centre console housing the sat nav screen and hi-fi and air con controls is too fussy and hard to negotiate. There could do with being less buttons and switches here. But the dashboard dials are simple and the whole set-up oozes style.

The rear bucket seats are separated by the console that runs through from the front. This has lots of hidden storage pockets and also holds the CD auto-changer.

Mazda really knows how to make tasteful, practical interiors.

Under the bonnet is where the real magic is made, however. The RENESIS twin rotary engine is ingenious. With no valves and pistons it is very quiet and, although too difficult to explain, uses rotor arms instead, which make the engine really lightweight.

Mazda has been using rotary engines in some of its cars since 1967 – the RX-7 being the most well known - and has produced millions of units. The RENESIS model is the culmination of years of research and development to perfect the engine. Because of the way it is designed the red line is between 8,500 and 10,000 rpm, this means you have lots of power across a broader range of revs.

The driving experience is awesome. You can tell it doesn't have a huge engine or a turbo but it seems to fly along like a sneeze. Before you know it you're speeding along, so you will have to watch the speed limits. Handling is great. It is gripping through the corners and just loves the long straights.

And to add to the enjoyment is the standard-fit BOSE CD player for your favourite tunes.

Clutch and throttle 'tickling' is just perfect. The engine is taught, responsive and effortlessly quick, with a quiet lawnmower-like hum, which is very refreshing but those who love engine roar will be disappointed.

I think the sixth gear needs to be more of an overdrive gear for cruising, so that it revs lower but offers greater economy.

However, economy is pretty good for such a high-powered car, better than most other hot-to-trot coupés.

Favourite bits: I like the sunglasses holder (so you're not fumbling about for your eyewear when the sun comes out); sat nav is a must for business users and it also helps when you come to sell on; freestyle doors, although the novelty will soon wear off I think; and the beautiful metallic red paint that seems to have hidden depths!

Disappointing bits: The boot, although big inside, has a small opening, small price to pay for such suave looks; the fuel tank could do with being bigger because I seemed to run out of petrol sooner than I hoped; and the height of the driver's seat is not adjustable enough.

To sum up the Mazda RX-8 in just three words: Unconventional – Stylish – Practical. Many cars try to achieve all these things but I am sure only the RX-8 does it so simply.

MAZDA RX-8  1.3-litre

twin-rotary engine (RENESIS) with 231ps power & rear-wheel drive

 

Top speed = 146 mph

0-62mph = 6.4 seconds

Urban economy = 17.9 mpg

Extra urban = 31.7

Combined = 24.8

CO2 emissions = 284 g/km

Insurance group 16E

Price: £23,000