Cars that use rotary engines
The rotary engine is a type of internal combustion engine that uses a triangular rotor that spins within a figure-8 shaped chamber to create power. Rotary engines are known for their smooth operation, high power output, and compact size. However, they are also known for their high fuel consumption and emissions.
History of the rotary engine
The rotary engine was invented by Felix Wankel in 1954. Wankel was a German engineer who was working on a new type of engine that would be more efficient than the piston engine. Wankel’s engine used a triangular rotor that spun within a figure-8 shaped chamber to create power. This design allowed for a more compact and lighter engine than a piston engine.
The first rotary engine-powered car was the NSU Spider, which was introduced in 1964. The Spider was a small sports car that was powered by a 500cc rotary engine. The Spider was a success, and it helped to popularize the rotary engine.
Advantages of the rotary engine
Rotary engines have several advantages over piston engines. These advantages include:
- Smooth operation: Rotary engines are known for their smooth operation. This is because the rotor spins smoothly within the chamber, without the reciprocating motion of a piston engine.
- High power output: Rotary engines can produce a high power output for their size. This is because the rotor spins at a high speed, and it creates a lot of torque.
- Compact size: Rotary engines are more compact than piston engines. This is because they do not need a crankshaft or connecting rods.
Disadvantages of the rotary engine
Rotary engines also have some disadvantages. These disadvantages include:
- High fuel consumption: Rotary engines consume more fuel than piston engines. This is because the rotor spins at a high speed, and it creates a lot of friction.
- High emissions: Rotary engines also produce more emissions than piston engines. This is because the rotor does not seal the chamber as well as a piston, and this allows some of the combustion gases to escape.
- Short lifespan: Rotary engines have a shorter lifespan than piston engines. This is because the rotor and the chamber wear out more quickly than the pistons and cylinders in a piston engine.
Cars that use rotary engines
There have been a number of cars that have used rotary engines. These cars include:
- NSU Spider
- Mazda RX-2
- Mazda RX-3
- Mazda RX-4
- Mazda RX-5
- Mazda RX-7
- Mazda RX-8
The Mazda RX-8 was the last car to be produced with a rotary engine. Mazda discontinued production of the RX-8 in 2012. However, there are still a number of rotary engine cars on the road today.
The future of the rotary engine
The future of the rotary engine is uncertain. Rotary engines have not been as popular as piston engines, due to their high fuel consumption and emissions. However, there are still some engineers who are working on developing more efficient and cleaner rotary engines.
If these engineers are successful, the rotary engine could make a comeback in the future. Rotary engines offer several advantages over piston engines, and they could be a more efficient and cleaner alternative to piston engines in the future.
