What engine does the Mazda RX-8 use?
3 Answers
Mazda RX-8 uses a 1.3-liter twin-rotor engine, codenamed 13B-MSP, with a maximum power of 170 kW, a maximum torque of 211 Nm, a maximum power speed of 8,200 rpm, and a maximum torque speed of 5,500 rpm. The 1.3-liter twin-rotor engine is equipped with direct fuel injection technology and uses an aluminum alloy cylinder head and block, paired with either a 6-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed automatic transmission. The Mazda RX-8's exterior resembles a two-door coupe, with the use of red tones on the door panels, steering wheel, and seats creating a strong visual impact. The front suspension uses a double-wishbone independent suspension, while the rear suspension uses a multi-link independent suspension.
When it comes to the Mazda RX8's engine, there's so much to talk about! This car doesn't use a conventional piston engine but Mazda's uniquely developed rotary engine. The model is called RENESIS, featuring a twin-rotor design from the 13B series. Despite its modest displacement of just 1.3 liters, thanks to the rotary's unique working principle, it achieves ultra-high compression combustion efficiency, with the manual transmission version delivering a robust 231 horsepower. I particularly love the engine's sound at high RPMs—it easily revs up to 9000 rpm, making it feel like driving a race car. However, this type of engine is quite delicate; it requires regular use of specialized engine oil, or else the seals can wear out quickly.
As a veteran driver who has owned an RX8 for three years, I have a love-hate relationship with its rotary engine. The 1.3L displacement delivering 231 horsepower is truly exhilarating, especially when tackling mountain roads—the thrust you feel after the tachometer needle hits 8,000 RPM is particularly thrilling. But honestly, the fuel consumption is quite high; my daily driving typically starts at 14 liters per 100 km, much thirstier than piston engines of the same displacement. Every cold start requires a two-minute warm-up to prevent carbon buildup. Still, considering that nine out of ten cars on the road use piston engines, the uniqueness of driving a rotary-powered car makes it all worth it.
