Which engine produces the most appealing exhaust sound? Is it the throaty growl of an American V8, the piercing scream of a V-10, or perhaps something more unique? The ongoing discussion about the best sounding car continues, yet one engine has consistently stood out since its inception—the Wankel rotary engine. For those who have yet to experience it, listening to a Mazda 767b race car will clarify why this high-revving, low-displacement engine is cherished by automotive sound enthusiasts. Additionally, these engines have proven effective in rally racing, as New Zealand rally champion Marcus van Klink has fitted a rotary engine into his modified Mazda RX-8 to take on the rugged terrain of the NZ countryside.
A rally and hill climb fan channel, HillClimb Monsters, recently shared a video showcasing van Klink maneuvering his remarkable creation through the picturesque hills of Marton, New Zealand. The footage includes various perspectives of the car gliding through the forest, drifting at every chance it gets. Notably, the cockpit camera provides an excellent view of the powerful and loud sounds emanating from this extraordinary vehicle while in action.
According to an article in RallySport Magazine, Marcus van Klink’s RX-8 is far from an ordinary model; the four-time rally champion has thoroughly modified the Mazda for extreme performance. The vehicle has been stripped down to reduce weight and is equipped with rally suspension, copious amounts of carbon fiber, a sequential 6-speed manual gearbox, and a 3-rotor 20b rotary engine capable of generating 370 horsepower, which is directed to the rear wheels.
Van Klink intends to compete with the RX-8 in the upcoming RallySprint event, giving us a chance to see how his car performs against a plethora of turbocharged four-cylinder hatchbacks in an actual racing scenario.
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