A rotary
engine is an ideal powerplant for a sports car. Compared to a
conventional engine of similar displacement, the Mazda RX8's rotary
engine is lighter since there is no need for pistons, connecting
rods or a camshaft.
The new 2010 RX8's lightweight, closed-section powerplant frame is made
of steel and locks the entire powertrain (engine, transmission
and final drive assembly) into a single, rigid unit. This mechanism
improves responsiveness and shifting operation while reducing
driveline lash and windup.
2010 Mazda RX8 rotary engine is substantially smaller in size
than a conventional engine, which enables optimal positioning
of the drivetrain. This results in increased space that can be
designated to driver and passenger comfort. It
produces less vibration – all of the new 2010 parts in the
rotary engine spin continuously in one direction, rather than
violently changing directions, like the pistons in a conventional
engine. RX8 Rotary engines are also internally balanced, minimizing
vibration levels. And the
new rotor, which is smoother than the back-and-forth action of
a piston, delivers power during three-quarters of each rotation
of the output shaft. A conventional engine delivers power during
only one-quarter of each rotation of the output shaft.
The
2010 Mazda RX8 rotary engine has far fewer moving parts than
a comparable four-stroke piston engine. A new 2010 2 rotor rotary engine has three main moving parts: the two
rotors and the output shaft. Even the simplest 4 cylinder piston
engine has at least 40 moving parts, including pistons, connecting
rods, camshaft, valves, valve springs, rockers, timing belt, timing
gears and crankshaft.
