Renesis Engine
Mazda is the only company in the world to own rotary engine technology. Since 1961 Mazda have been continuously developing the rotary engine which now meets the emission and fuel consumption targets set beyond 2000 in the world's major markets.
When the very first engines were being developed engineers just wanted them to work. It was understood even then that a rotating engine was far superior to one where pistons slide up and down in a reciprocating motion, stopping and starting continuously.
The Mazda rotary engine is an elegantly simple idea. It has far fewer parts and less stress on its components than piston engines. In modern form it is highly reliable. So reliable it is now being developed for use in aircraft.
The new technology and design change for the RENESIS engine has resulted in huge gains in power and efficient use of fuel. The simplicity of the engine design and the "rightness" of the concept of turning instead of reciprocating internal parts have lead towards high levels of efficiency in the new RENESIS engine.
Power output from RENESIS is a stunningly unexpected 208kw from an engine with 2 chambers of 654cc each. It is a naturally aspirated (non-turbo) engine and will work up to 10,000 revs per minute. It is lean burning and has a long flat torque curve, unlike high revving piston engines that attempt to overcome this limitation by switching the camshaft operation.
The RENESIS engine is smoother than a 6-cylinder engine. Much lighter and smaller it produces high levels of power over a wide range of engine speeds. It is small enough to sit low and well back in a vehicle and contributes to crash worthiness, aerodynamics and vehicle balance through its small size and low weight. These factors also mean suspension designers have more space in which to lay out suspension components.
The RENESIS engine is equipped to the Mazda RX-8 and won the prestigious International Engine of the Year Award in 2003. The RENESIS engine was also placed first in the following two categories: "Best New Engine 2003", the "Best 2.5L to 3.0L Engine".
