Do any cars still have rotary engines?

A Brief History of Rotary Engines

The rotary engine, also known as the Wankel 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 were first developed in the early 1900s, but they did not become commercially successful until the 1960s when Mazda introduced the Cosmo Sport 110S, the first production car to use a rotary engine.

Rotary engines offer a number of advantages over traditional piston engines, including a smoother, more powerful power delivery, a smaller and lighter design, and fewer moving parts. However, rotary engines also have some disadvantages, including higher fuel consumption and emissions, and a shorter lifespan than piston engines.

Do Any Cars Still Use Rotary Engines?

Today, only one car manufacturer still uses rotary engines in production vehicles: Mazda. Mazda has been using rotary engines in its sports cars since the 1960s, and the current Mazda RX-8 is the only production car still available with a rotary engine.

The Mazda RX-8 is a two-door sports car that was first introduced in 2003. The RX-8 is powered by a 1.3-liter Renesis rotary engine that produces 232 horsepower and 159 lb-ft of torque. The RX-8 is available with a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission.

The Mazda RX-8 has been praised for its smooth power delivery, agile handling, and unique styling. However, the RX-8 has also been criticized for its poor fuel economy and high emissions. Mazda has discontinued production of the RX-8 in 2012, but the car remains popular among enthusiasts.

The Future of Rotary Engines

The future of rotary engines is uncertain. Mazda has not announced any plans to develop a new rotary engine, and the RX-8 is the last production car to use a rotary engine.

However, there are a number of companies that are developing new rotary engine technologies. These companies include RE20, Atkins Rotary, and Liquidpiston. These companies are developing new rotary engine designs that offer improved fuel economy, emissions, and lifespan.

It is possible that rotary engines could make a comeback in the future. If new rotary engine technologies can overcome the challenges that have plagued rotary engines in the past, then rotary engines could offer a number of advantages over traditional piston engines.

Conclusion

Rotary engines are a unique type of internal combustion engine that offer a number of advantages over traditional piston engines. However, rotary engines also have some disadvantages, including higher fuel consumption and emissions, and a shorter lifespan than piston engines.

Today, only Mazda still uses rotary engines in production vehicles. The Mazda RX-8 is the last production car to use a rotary engine. The future of rotary engines is uncertain, but there are a number of companies that are developing new rotary engine technologies that could offer improved fuel economy, emissions, and lifespan.