Page 7 of 06 Mazda RX-8 by Mazda USA

. . Assertively concealed under the aluminum hood of every Mazda RX-8 is a hand-assembled RENESIS rotary engine that�fs so advanced, it has no cylinders, pistons or valves just three major moving parts and an outrageously broad powerband. Lighter and more compact than a piston engine of comparable power, the rotary�fs superior horsepower-to-weight ratio makes it an ideal powerplant for sports cars. Its compact size also pays off in extra cabin room. And even allows the engine to be positioned well behind the front axle endowing the RX-8 with all the handling advantages of an advanced front-mid-engine layout. HOW A ROTARY WORKS: Instead of pistons inside cylinders, two triangular rotors spinning within their own oval housings, and around a common output shaft, smoothly generate all power. INTAKE STROKE: As an apex of the rotor passes the intake port, fuel-air mixture is drawn in. COMPRESSION STROKE: The intake port is blocked, and the fuel-air mixture is compressed. COMBUSTION STROKE: The compressed fuel mixture is ignited by two spark plugs. The force created by this combustion spins both rotor and shaft. EXHAUST STROKE: The rotor�fs continuing orbit forces exhaust gases out the exhaust port. The cycle is then repeated. ROTARY EXPERTS: Since 1961, Mazda has designed and built more than 80 different rotary engines in 2-, 3- and 4-rotor configurations. Mazda has also sold nearly 2 million rotary-powered vehicles worldwide including three generations of the immediate predecessor to the RX-8, the legendary Mazda RX-7. EXHAUST COMBUSTION COMPRESSION INTAKE

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