Mazda RX-8 Original Generation Spirit R 1308 cc RENESIS Rotary Engine

The Spirit R engine

The RX-8 Spirit R used Mazda’s water-cooled, two-rotor RENESIS engine, specified as 0.654 litres per rotor: 1308 cc in total. Both versions drove the rear wheels, with either a six-speed manual gearbox or six-speed Activematic automatic. Mazda’s April 2012 announcement confirms this shared architecture and displacement.

This record covers the engine application within the Japanese-market Spirit R variant of the original RX-8 generation. The Spirit R manual was based on the Type RS; the automatic was based on the Type E. These were distinct powertrain specifications, despite sharing the RENESIS name and capacity. Mazda identifies those parent grades in its Spirit R launch announcement.

Manual and automatic specifications

Mazda’s Japanese specification sheet for the revised RX-8 records the following figures for the Type RS and Type E powertrains on which the Spirit R was based:

Specification	Type RS-based manual	Type E-based automatic
Engine designation	13B-MSP	13B-MSP
Configuration	Water-cooled, two-rotor	Water-cooled, two-rotor
Displacement	654 cc × 2	654 cc × 2
Maximum net power	173 kW (235 PS) at 8200 rpm	158 kW (215 PS) at 7450 rpm
Maximum net torque	216 N·m at 5500 rpm	216 N·m at 5500 rpm
Transmission	Six-speed manual	Six-speed Activematic automatic
Fuel specification	Premium unleaded petrol	Premium unleaded petrol

The numerical ratings above are explicitly sourced to the base-grade technical sheet. The Spirit R announcements establish the Type RS/Type E relationship but do not reproduce power and torque figures. They do not announce a Spirit R-specific engine-output increase. PS denotes metric horsepower; figures from other markets or earlier Japanese RX-8 specifications should not be substituted.

Engineering and development

RENESIS was a naturally aspirated rotary engine developed for the RX-8. Mazda’s production announcement identifies side exhaust ports and a sequential dynamic intake system as central features. The compact engine supported the RX-8’s four-door, four-seat sports-car layout.

The Spirit R belongs to the later, revised RX-8 specification. Mazda’s March 2008 update introduced revised water and oil pumps, changes to the six-speed manual gearing and final drive, and a coolant-temperature-dependent tachometer red-zone display. These changes preceded the Spirit R; they were not developments introduced specifically for the final special edition.

Production context and historical significance

Mazda began RENESIS engine production at its Ujina plant in Hiroshima, Japan, on 29 January 2003. This establishes the engine family’s manufacturing origin, rather than the start of Spirit R production. See Mazda’s RENESIS production announcement.

The Spirit R went on sale in Japan on 24 November 2011 as the RX-8’s final special edition. In April 2012 Mazda announced an additional 1000 cars beyond the original 1000-car plan and reiterated that RX-8 production was scheduled to end in June. These are calendar dates and announced production plans, not a verified final engine total or a model-year designation. Sources: Spirit R launch and production extension.

The engine’s significance in the Spirit R is its place in the closing chapter of RX-8 production. Mazda’s launch statement also committed to continued rotary-engine development, so the special edition should not be described as the end of Mazda’s rotary research.

Japanese Base Grade 1308 cc RENESIS

A separate engine application within the same RX-8 generation. Its grade-specific chronology and specifications should be kept distinct from the Spirit R.

Sources

• Mazda: Spirit R production extension, 26 April 2012.
• Mazda: Japanese Spirit R launch and Type RS/Type E basis, 7 October 2011.
• Mazda: Japanese RX-8 specifications, March 2008; base-grade engine ratings.
• Mazda: RX-8 revision announcement, 10 March 2008.
• Mazda: RENESIS production begins at Ujina, 29 January 2003.