How Many Cars Had a Wankel Engine?
The Wankel 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. It is a unique and efficient engine design, but it has also been plagued by reliability problems. As a result, relatively few cars have been produced with Wankel engines.
Mazda RX Series
The Mazda RX series is the most well-known car to use a Wankel engine. The first RX model was introduced in 1967, and the series continued to be produced until 2012. Mazda produced over 2 million RX models, making it the best-selling car with a Wankel engine.
Other Cars with Wankel Engines
In addition to the Mazda RX series, a number of other cars have also used Wankel engines. These include:
- NSU Ro 80 (1967-1977)
- Citroën GS Birotor (1973-1975)
- Mercedes-Benz C111 (1969-1979)
- Lancia Stratos HF (1973-1978)
- Chevrolet Corvette XP-882 (1973)
- AMC Pacer (1975-1978)
- RE Amemiya FC3S-RX7 (1999-2002)
Why So Few Cars?
Despite its unique and efficient design, the Wankel engine has not been widely adopted by automakers. This is due to several factors, including:
- Reliability problems: Wankel engines have been plagued by reliability problems, including apex seal failure, which can lead to engine damage.
- Fuel consumption: Wankel engines tend to consume more fuel than conventional piston engines.
- Emissions: Wankel engines produce more emissions than conventional piston engines, especially hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides.
- Cost: Wankel engines are more expensive to manufacture than conventional piston engines.
Conclusion
The Wankel engine is a unique and efficient engine design, but it has been plagued by reliability problems. As a result, relatively few cars have been produced with Wankel engines. The Mazda RX series is the best-selling car with a Wankel engine, but it is unlikely that we will see many more cars with Wankel engines in the future.
