Mazda's new facelifted RX-8. Now on sale in Japan and heading to the UK this summer.

This latest makeover package sees a whole series of detail tweaks, including freshened up styling, better quality interior and improved suspension. Up ahead the RX-8's unique two-rotor engine is also subtly breathed on.

Visually, the immediate giveaway is the RX-8's new egg-crate grille with bar on top. The revamp also brings new front and rear bumpers, reshaped head and tail lights and those more aggressive air vents. Alloy wheels are new for 2008 duty, too. There's more facelift action inside with new-look sloping centre console, steering wheel and seat design.

So far, so good, but what about the rotary engine, long criticised for its heavy thirst, poor oil consumption and lack of low-end torque? Mazda has made only minor changes this time round, introducing a new oil pump to improve its addiction to the black stuff, and new water pump.

Torque, mpg and C02 all stay unchanged, and power in Japan for the 6-speed manual RX-8 actually drops from 247bhp down to 232bhp.

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