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Mazda RX-8 Type S · RENESIS rotary engine /MANUFACTURERS/MAZDA/RX-8/ORIGINAL-GENERATION/TYPE-S/1308-CC

Mazda RX-8 Original Generation Type S 1308 cc RENESIS Rotary Engine

The Type S used a naturally aspirated 1308 cc RENESIS rotary with a six-speed manual transmission. Mazda's Japanese specifications distinguish the original 250 PS rating from the revised 235 PS specification introduced in 2008.

Engine identity and scope

The naturally aspirated RENESIS powered the Japanese-market Mazda RX-8 Type S, pairing a water-cooled, twin-rotor engine with a six-speed manual transmission. Its nominal displacement was 1308 cc, comprising two 654 cc rotors. This record covers that application within the original RX-8 generation, including the 2008 revision; Type S is a vehicle grade, not a separate engine family. Mazda’s original launch announcement and 2008 specifications establish the distinction.

Development and production

Mazda began RENESIS engine production at its Ujina plant in Hiroshima, Japan, on 29 January 2003. That date marks engine-family production, rather than the first retail delivery of a Type S. The engine was developed for the RX-8’s four-door, four-seat sports-car layout. Its compact dimensions and low weight supported the combination of passenger accommodation and sporting performance. RENESIS combined side exhaust ports with Mazda’s Sequential Dynamic Air Intake System; Mazda described improved fuel economy and emissions relative to its preceding rotary engines. Mazda’s production announcement.

The domestic RX-8 launch announcement followed on 9 April 2003, specifying advance-order deliveries from late April and general sales from early May. These are Japanese calendar dates, rather than an overseas model-year designation. Japanese launch announcement.

Original Japanese Type S specification

Mazda’s April 2003 specification lists Type S output as 184 kW (250 PS) at 8500 rpm and maximum torque as 216 N·m at 5500 rpm, with a six-speed manual gearbox. RENESIS used side intake and exhaust ports and electronic throttle control. These figures describe the original Japanese Type S; they should not be applied to every RX-8 bearing the RENESIS name. Mazda’s 2003 specification.

The 2008 revision

For the refreshed Japanese Type S, Mazda’s March 2008 specification sheet identifies the engine as 13B-MSP and lists 173 kW (235 PS) at 8200 rpm, with 216 N·m at 5500 rpm. Displacement remained 0.654 litres × 2, and the Type S retained a six-speed manual transmission. The sheet specifies electronic fuel injection, a 10.0:1 compression ratio and premium unleaded petrol. These are the revised Japanese specifications, not replacements for the earlier car’s historical rating. Mazda’s 2008 specification sheet.

Mazda announced the refreshed range on 10 March 2008. New water and oil pumps were among the changes intended to improve acceleration response, durability and operating stability. A temperature-dependent tachometer red zone discouraged excessive engine speed while cold. Revised six-speed manual ratios also improved acceleration response, so changes in driving characteristics cannot be attributed to peak engine output alone. Mazda’s refresh announcement.

The Type S illustrates how Mazda developed its naturally aspirated rotary sports-car powertrain through the RX-8’s life. Its engine record spans the facelift within the established original-generation hierarchy. The Type RS engine is a related application: Mazda described the Type RS introduced in 2008 as based on the six-speed-manual Type S. The Type E engine belongs to a separate grade and transmission application. Mazda’s 2008 range announcement.

In October 2011 Mazda announced that, following the Spirit R’s introduction on 24 November, the Japanese range would consist only of Spirit R and Type G grades. This establishes the Type S’s removal from the announced lineup, but does not identify its final engine-build date. The announcement’s planned June 2012 end of RX-8 production applies to the wider model line and should not be presented as a verified Type S production endpoint. Mazda’s final-range announcement.

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