Rare Car Archive

Makes › Mazda Japan › RX-7 and RX-8 › RX-8 Spirit R · Rare specification · 2011–2012 Rare

Mazda
RX-8 Spirit R

Final RX-8 special edition, the last rotary-engined production Mazda of its era; 1,000 planned, then extended by another 1,000.

IDENTIFICATION CARD · MAZDA RX-8 SPIRIT R 2011–2012
No licensed photograph yet. Photographs are published only when their licence permits it.
2,000BuiltFactory reported
0Chassis documentedin this archive
?SurvivingNot yet verified
Contents
  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Production & history
  3. 03Specifications
  4. 04Colours & options
  5. 05Individual cars
  6. 06Reference

01Overview

At a glance

Built
2,000 Built
Years
2011–2012
Engine
two-rotor Wankel, 0.654 L × 2
Power
173 kW / 235 PSFactory: 232 hp · converted
Top speed
226.87 km/hFactory: 226.87 km/h
Body
Not yet verified
Designer
Not yet verified
In this archive
Not yet verified
Surviving
Not yet verified

Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.

Why it matters

The Spirit R marked the end of RX-8 production in June 2012 and with it the end of rotary-engine car production at the time. Total RX-8 output had reached 192,094.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Model rarityNot yet assessed
Specification rarityRare 2,000 · Built1,2
Colour rarityNot yet assessed
Individual rarityNot yet assessed
Historical rarityNot yet assessed
Survival rarityNot yet assessed

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

02Production & history

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

What is countedFigureBasisStatus
Factory package productionLimited edition – the stated limit of the run: cars: 1,000 planned at launch plus a 1,000-unit extension (Mazda) 2,0001,2 Factory production Factory reported

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

Announced on 7 October 2011 with sales from 24 November, it was planned at 1,000 cars; in April 2012 Mazda extended production by 1,000 units before RX-8 production ended in June 2012.

Variants

How each version differs from the standard RX-8 Spirit R.

No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

03Specifications

Technical specifications

Engine

Engine familyRenesis NL rotary3 Independently researched
Engine codeNot yet verified
Layouttwo-rotor Wankel, 0.654 L × 24
DisplacementNot yet verified
BoreNot yet verified
StrokeNot yet verified
Compression ratioNot yet verified
Fuel systemNot yet verified
Power 173 kW / 235 PSFactory: 232 hp · converted3 Independently researchedSupercars.net also gives 173.0 kW. Supercars.net spec table for the six-speed manual car; figures marked with "~" there are estimates.
Power at 8,500 rpm3 Independently researched
Torque 215.6 NmFactory: 215.6 Nm3 Independently researched
Torque at 5,500 rpm3 Independently researched
Redline 9,000 rpm3 Independently researched

Transmission & drivetrain

Gearbox6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic4
Gears65
Gear ratios3.82, 2.26, 1.54, 1.18, 1.00, 0.793 Independently researched
Final drive4.78:13 Independently researched
Driven wheelsrear4

Chassis, body & dimensions

ChassisNot yet verified
Front suspensionBilstein dampers (hard suspension on the manual model)1
Rear suspensionNot yet verified
BrakesNot yet verified
SteeringNot yet verified
Body constructionUnitized steel3 Independently researched
Wheelbase 2,700 mmFactory: 2,700 mm3 Independently researched
Length 4,470 mmFactory: 4,470 mm3 Independently researched
WidthNot yet verified
Height 1,340 mmFactory: 1,340 mm3 Independently researched
Front trackNot yet verified
Rear trackNot yet verified
Kerb weight 1,309 kgFactory: 1,309 kg3 Independently researched
Dry weightNot yet verified

Performance

Maximum speed 226.87 km/hFactory: 226.87 km/h3 Independently researchedApproximate figure on a specs table, not a factory claim.
0–100 km/hNot yet verified
0–60 mph 6.5 s3 Independently researchedApproximate figure on a specs table.
Standing ¼ mile 15 s3 Independently researchedApproximate figure on a specs table.
Fuel tank 60 LFactory: 60 L3 Independently researched

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

04Colours & options

Factory colours & interiors

Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Factory options & codes

Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

05Individual cars

Chassis register

Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Competition history

Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Auction & sale history

Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

See one in person

Museums where an example of this car can be seen.

No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

06Reference

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

Spirit R badges, black-bezel lamps, red brake calipers, piano-black tunnel trim. Manual cars have special Recaro buckets and 19-inch bronze wheels; automatics have black leather with red stitching and 18-inch gun-metallic wheels.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

  1. 1
    Mazda Extends Production of Special Edition RX-8 SPIRIT R Level A Mazda Motor Corporation (Mazda Newsroom) · 2012-04-26
    • extend production of the Mazda RX-8 SPIRIT R by 1,000 units
    • Hard suspension (with Bilstein dampers)
    Accessed 2026-11-12
  2. 2
    Mazda extends production of RX-8 SPIRIT R Level A
    • 2000 cars: 1,000 planned at launch plus a 1,000-unit extension (Mazda)
    Accessed 2026-11-12
  3. 3
    2011 Mazda RX-8 Spirit R Level B Supercars.net
    • engine | Renesis NL Rotary (In Detail)
    • power | 173.0 kw / 232 bhp @ 8500 rpm (In Detail)
    • 232 bhp @ 8500 rpm (In Detail)
    • torque | 215.6 nm / 159 ft lbs @ 5500 rpm (In Detail)
    • 215.6 nm / 159 ft lbs @ 5500 rpm (In Detail)
    • redline | 9000 (In Detail)
    • gear ratios | 3.82:1, 2.26:1, 1.54:1, 1.18:1, 1.00:1, 0.79:1 (In Detail)
    • final drive | 4.78:1 (In Detail)
    • body / frame | Unitized Steel (In Detail)
    • wheelbase | 2700 mm / 106.3 in (In Detail)
    • length | 4470 mm / 176.0 in (In Detail)
    • height | 1340 mm / 52.8 in (In Detail)
    • curb weight | 1309 kg / 2886 lbs (In Detail)
    • top speed | ~226.87 kph / 141 mph (In Detail)
    • 0 – 60 mph | ~6.5 seconds (In Detail)
    • 0 – 1/4 mile | ~15.0 seconds (In Detail)
    • fuel capacity | 60 litres or 15.84 gal. (In Detail)
    Accessed 2026-11-12
  4. 4
    Mazda RX-8 SPIRIT R special edition Level A Mazda Motor Corporation (newsroom) · 2011-10-07
    • 0.654 L x 2
    • 6-speed manual, or 6-speed
    • Rear-wheel drive
    Accessed 2026-11-12
  5. 5
    Mazda RX-8 SPIRIT R Coming to Japan in November 2011 Level A Mazda Motor Corporation (Mazda Newsroom) · 2011-10-07
    • six-speed manual transmission
    Accessed 2026-11-12

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