Does Mazda Still Make a Car with the Wankel Engine?

Yes, Mazda still makes a car with the Wankel engine.

The Mazda MX-30 is the only car currently in production that uses a Wankel engine. The MX-30 is a subcompact crossover SUV that was first introduced in 2020. It is powered by a 1.5-liter naturally aspirated Wankel engine that produces 168 horsepower and 159 lb-ft of torque. The engine is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive.

The Wankel engine is a type of rotary engine that was invented by Felix Wankel in the 1950s. Wankel engines are different from conventional piston engines in that they use a triangular rotor that spins inside a combustion chamber. This design makes Wankel engines more compact and lighter than piston engines. Wankel engines also have fewer moving parts than piston engines, which makes them more reliable and easier to maintain.

However, Wankel engines also have some disadvantages. One disadvantage is that they are less fuel-efficient than piston engines. Another disadvantage is that they produce more emissions than piston engines. These disadvantages have led to the decline in the use of Wankel engines in cars.

Despite these disadvantages, Mazda has continued to use the Wankel engine in the MX-30 because it offers a number of advantages over piston engines. The Wankel engine is smoother and quieter than a piston engine. It is also more compact and lighter, which gives the MX-30 a better weight distribution and handling. Additionally, the Wankel engine is more responsive than a piston engine, which makes the MX-30 more fun to drive.

The future of the Wankel engine

The future of the Wankel engine is uncertain. Mazda is the only automaker that currently uses the Wankel engine in a production car. However, Mazda has been working on developing a new generation of Wankel engines that are more fuel-efficient and produce fewer emissions. If Mazda is successful in developing these new engines, the Wankel engine could make a comeback in the future.

Conclusion

Mazda still makes a car with the Wankel engine, the MX-30. The Wankel engine offers a number of advantages over piston engines, such as a smoother and quieter operation, a more compact and lighter design, and a more responsive performance. However, the Wankel engine also has some disadvantages, such as being less fuel-efficient and producing more emissions than piston engines. The future of the Wankel engine is uncertain, but Mazda is working on developing a new generation of Wankel engines that are more fuel-efficient and produce fewer emissions. If Mazda is successful in developing these new engines, the Wankel engine could make a comeback in the future.