The Mazda RX-8 is powered by a 1.3L RENESIS two-rotor rotary engine that makes 212 horsepower at 7,500 rpm and 159 pound-feet of torque at 5,500 rpm. ... Edmunds says the "RX-8 is the only production car in the world with a rotary engine." A rotary engine, often referred to as a "Wankel engine" after its inventor Dr.