Cars with a Rotary Engine
What is a Rotary Engine?
A rotary engine is a type of internal combustion engine that uses a triangular rotor that spins within a figure-8 shaped chamber. This design is different from the more common reciprocating piston engine, which uses pistons that move up and down within cylinders. Rotary engines are known for their smooth operation, high power output, and compact size.
History of Rotary Engines
The first rotary engine was invented by Felix Wankel in 1954. Wankel’s engine was initially used in small generators and other industrial applications. In the 1960s, Mazda began to develop rotary engines for use in automobiles. The first Mazda car with a rotary engine was the Cosmo 110S, which was released in 1967.
Advantages of Rotary Engines
- Smooth operation: Rotary engines have no reciprocating parts, which makes them very smooth running.
- High power output: Rotary engines can produce more power than reciprocating piston engines of the same size.
- Compact size: Rotary engines are smaller and lighter than reciprocating piston engines, which makes them ideal for use in small vehicles.
Disadvantages of Rotary Engines
- Fuel consumption: Rotary engines are less fuel efficient than reciprocating piston engines.
- Emissions: Rotary engines produce more emissions than reciprocating piston engines.
- Reliability: Rotary engines are less reliable than reciprocating piston engines.
Cars with Rotary Engines
There have been a number of cars that have been produced with rotary engines. Some of the most notable examples include:
- Mazda Cosmo 110S (1967)
- Mazda RX-2 (1971)
- Mazda RX-3 (1972)
- Mazda RX-4 (1974)
- Mazda RX-5 (1975)
- Mazda RX-7 (1978)
- Mazda RX-8 (2003)
The Future of Rotary Engines
The future of rotary engines is uncertain. Mazda has discontinued production of all rotary-powered vehicles, and there are no other major automakers that are currently producing rotary engines. However, there are a number of small companies that are developing new rotary engines. It is possible that rotary engines could make a comeback in the future, but it is also possible that they will disappear altogether.
