From the 1970 R100 coupe to the RX-8, Mazda Has Steadily Refined the Rotary
Recently, Mazda's new RENESIS Rotary Engine was named "International Engine of the Year 2003", at Engine Expo 2003 in Stuttgart, Germany. This particularly potent engine is the driving force behind the new Mazda RX-8 sports car. In addition, Mazda's RENESIS also took two more awards home; one for "Best New Engine of 2003," and "Best 2.5-liter to 3.0-liter."
| |
| The RENESIS rotary engine behind the new RX-8 took home the "Best New Engine of 2003" award at Engine Expo 2003. (Photo: Mazda) |
The International Engine of the Year is determined by a majority vote of 50 motoring journalists from 22 countries globally. North American judges include leading enthusiast magazines, editors, and esteemed industry analysts.
| |
| 50 industry judges rated the RENESIS number one in terms of drivability, economy, refinement, performance and the successful application of advanced technologies. (Photo: Mazda) |
Each vehicle or component chosen for a category goes through a series of tests and is evaluated by the international judges. Key points that the judges look for are, drivability, economy, refinement, performance and the successful application of advanced technologies. Overall there are 12 categories, including the top honor of all, International Engine of the year.
"Mazda's International Engine of the Year Award success is a remarkable achievement," commented Graham Johnson, editor of Engine Technology International magazine and Chairman of the Awards. "The judges are hugely impressed by the RX-8's smoothness, refinement, performance, and eco-friendliness. Indeed, 44 of the judges voted for this engine to become International Engine of the Year 2003--a new Awards record. Mazda can rightly state that it produces the finest automobile engine in the world."