For the driving enthusiast seeking a truly distinctive high-performance sports car,the RX-8 tops a very short list. Beyond its four-door coupe status (there are two rear-hinged mini-doors for access to the rear seat) and affordable pricing,the RX-8 features an unorthodox engine design,the only one of its kind available in a production car today. The RX-8's rotary engine is small and lightweight,permitting Mazda engineers to create a finely balanced sports car large enough to hold four adults. Although the engine does not generate much low-end torque (most of its power becomes more obvious in the higher speed ranges),as sports cars go the RX-8 is one of the best,offering a splendid combination of performance,comfort and practicality.