Vehicle Class:
Sports car, Grand Tourer
Target Audience:
Enthusiast drivers, DIY mechanics, professional repair shops
Key Competitors:
Nissan 350Z, BMW 3 Series Coupe, Audi A5, Porsche Cayman (at time of release)
Vehicle Selling Points:
Unique rotary engine, balanced chassis, distinctive 'freestyle' door system, sporty handling, high-revving engine
Manual Value Proposition:
Official factory data, accurate procedures, cost savings on repairs, empowerment for DIY owners
Engine And Drivetrain:
Rotary engine (RENESIS), ignition system, fuel system, lubrication, cooling, intake, exhaust, clutch, transmission (manual & automatic), driveshaft, differentials, axles
Chassis And Suspension:
Front suspension, rear suspension, steering system, braking system, wheels, tires
Electrical And Electronics:
Battery, charging system, starting system, lighting, instrumentation, power windows/locks, audio system, navigation system, engine control module (ECM), transmission control module (TCM), ABS, traction control, SRS (airbag) system, body control module (BCM)
Body And Interior:
Body structure, panels, doors, hood, trunk, bumpers, interior trim, seats, HVAC system, safety belts, airbags
Maintenance Procedures:
Scheduled maintenance, fluid checks and changes, filter replacements, spark plug replacement, belt inspections, diagnostic checks
Repair Procedures:
Engine overhaul, transmission repair, brake service, suspension component replacement, electrical troubleshooting and repair, body panel repair, interior component replacement
Diagnostic Procedures:
Troubleshooting guides, diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) interpretation, component testing, electrical circuit diagrams, flowcharts
Depth Of Information:
Detailed step-by-step instructions, torque specifications, special tool requirements, wiring diagrams, diagnostic strategies, component data
Engine Type:
Naturally Aspirated Rotary (Wankel)
Engine Code:
13B-MSP RENESIS
Displacement:
1.3 L (2 x 654 cc rotor displacement)
Horsepower Gs:
232 hp @ 8200 rpm (Manual Transmission)
Horsepower Gt:
212 hp @ 7600 rpm (Automatic Transmission)
Torque Gs:
159 lb-ft @ 5500 rpm (Manual Transmission)
Torque Gt:
150 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm (Automatic Transmission)
Fuel Delivery:
Sequential Electronic Fuel Injection (S-EFI)
Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded Gasoline (91 octane or higher recommended)
Compression Ratio:
10.0:1
Rotary Specifics:
Apex seals, side seals, eccentric shaft, rotor housings, oil metering system (critical for engine longevity)
Transmission Type Gs:
6-speed Manual Transmission
Transmission Type Gt:
6-speed Sport Automatic Transmission with Paddle Shifters
Clutch Type:
Hydraulic Control, Multi-plate Dry Clutch (Manual)
Transmission Fluid Type:
Dexron III (or equivalent, check manual for specific PN)
Final Drive Ratio:
4.444 (Manual), 4.777 (Automatic)
NHTSA Front Crash Rating:
5-Star
NHTSA Side Crash Rating:
5-Star
IIHS Front Offset Rating:
Good
Braking System:
Four-wheel disc brakes, ABS, EBD, Traction Control System (TCS), Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
Steering Assist:
Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS)
Airbags:
Front airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-curtain airbags
Seat Belts:
3-point active front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters, rear 3-point seatbelts
Audio System:
Bose premium audio system with 6-disc CD changer and SiriusXM satellite radio capability (optional).
Navigation:
Touchscreen navigation system (optional on GT models).
Traction Control:
Traction Control System (TCS) and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) standard.
Tire Pressure Monitoring:
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) standard.
Bluetooth:
Bluetooth hands-free phone system (optional).
Oil Change Interval:
Every 5,000 miles or 6 months (whichever comes first), with specific oil quality requirements for rotary engines.
Spark Plug Replacement:
Refer to manual; typically at 30,000-50,000 miles, with specific platinum-tipped plugs required.
Coolant Flush Interval:
Every 60,000 miles or 5 years.
Engine Oil Type:
SAE 5W-30 Synthetic recommended; specific API service classification required (e.g., SN or newer). Rotary engines require a specific oil metering system.
Engine Oil Capacity:
5.4 US quarts (5.1 L) with filter change
Coolant Type:
Mazda FL22 Long Life Coolant (or equivalent pink/red) - mixture 50/50 with distilled water.
Brake Fluid Type:
DOT 3 or DOT 4
Rotary Specific Concerns:
Apex seal wear, oil consumption, carbon buildup in rotor housings, failure of the oil metering pump, potential for 'flooding' on start-up if not managed correctly.
Common Repairs:
Ignition coils, spark plugs, fuel injectors, catalytic converter replacement, engine rebuild (due to apex seal wear).
Mazda Rotary Legacy:
Mazda's long history and success with rotary engines, starting with the Cosmo Sport and culminating in Le Mans victories with the 787B
Rx8 Introduction:
Introduced in 2003 as the successor to the RX-7, featuring a radical four-door coupe design and the RENESIS rotary engine
2009 Updates:
Minor styling tweaks, suspension revisions for improved handling, enhanced interior features, and engine management updates for emissions and performance.
Production Period:
2003-2012
Manufacturing Location:
Hiroshima, Japan
