2004 Mazda RX-8

Mazda's history of sports car design and production began in 1967 with the Cosmo Sport. This low-slung, two-door sports car was powered by a unique, compact and strong powerplant into which Mazda invested its faith, and even its life-blood—the rotary engine. In the years since the launch of the Cosmo Sport, Mazda has continued to pursue rotary engine technology in an effort to bring the delight of driving a sports car powered by something other than a piston-driven vehicle to as many drivers as possible.


While the Cosmo was a huge car in the evolution of the rotary, it wasn't until the launch of the RX-7 in 1978 that U.S. buyers really started to take rotary powerplants seriously. A second generation RX-7 arrived in 1985 while the third and final made its debut in 1991 and was sold in the U.S. until 1995.

Key to exceptional dynamics is the RX-8's highly rigid yet lightweight body incorporating a high-mount backbone frame in the upper part of the transmission tunnel.

Jump forward to today and the launch of Mazda's latest rotary-powered masterpiece—the 2004 RX-8. But, this isn't just any ordinary sports car. The Mazda RX-8 was created through the pursuit of a genuine sports car with a totally new, four-door, four-seat format that delivers sports car values, passenger comfort and driving pleasure. The RX-EVOLV concept car with it's next generation RENESIS prototype engine was unveiled at 1999 Tokyo Motor Show and the race was on to get the next RX into production.


RENESIS, which stands for "the rotary engine's GENESIS," is a 1.3-liter, two-rotor naturally aspirated engine that comes in two versions. There's a six-port version that produces 250 horsepower and 159 lb.-ft. of torque. It's only available paired with a six-speed manual transmission. The base version is a four-port model that turns out 210 horsepower and 164 lb.-ft. of torque. It comes mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. The power delivery of these engines reminds us of the Honda S2000. You have to keep the revs up at all times otherwise you lose momentum. The redline for the four-port engine is 7,500 rpm, while the six-port version tachs out at a well-twisted 9,000 rpm.


Both engines employ side intake and exhaust ports that provide approximately 30 percent more intake area and twice the exhaust area compared to previous rotary engines. The compact nature of RENESIS and the absence of a turbo induction system (as found on previous rotary models) keep the engine's overall height down to 13.3 inches, or approximately the same height as both of the transmissions. This reduced height allows the engine to be located 2.4 inches reward and 1.6 inches down compared to the RX-7. Additionally, the engine's location and small size allows the dashboard to be moved forward 3.1 inches, delivering a layout as close to midship as any production vehicle Mazda's ever produced. The weight balance front-to-rear is a near perfect 50/50.