How Many USA Cars Had Wankel Engines?
The Wankel engine, also known as 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. This design is different from the more common piston engine, which uses a piston that moves up and down within a cylinder to create power.
Wankel engines were first developed in the early 1900s, but they did not become commercially successful until the 1950s. The first production car to use a Wankel engine was the NSU Spider, which was introduced in 1964.
Wankel engines were initially seen as a promising alternative to piston engines, as they were lighter, more compact, and smoother running. However, they also had some drawbacks, including poor fuel economy and high emissions.
Due to these drawbacks, Wankel engines were never widely adopted in the United States. The only American car to use a Wankel engine was the Mazda RX-7, which was produced from 1978 to 1992.
Why Wankel Engines Were Not Widely Adopted in the United States
There are a number of reasons why Wankel engines were not widely adopted in the United States. Some of these reasons include:
* **Poor fuel economy.** Wankel engines are less fuel-efficient than piston engines, especially at low speeds. This was a major drawback during the 1970s and 1980s, when fuel prices were high.
* **High emissions.** Wankel engines produce more emissions than piston engines, especially hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide. This was a major concern during the 1970s and 1980s, when emissions regulations were becoming more stringent.
* **Complexity.** Wankel engines are more complex than piston engines, which makes them more expensive to manufacture and maintain. This was a major drawback for American automakers, who were already facing increasing competition from Japanese automakers.
Conclusion
Wankel engines were a promising alternative to piston engines, but they never became widely adopted in the United States due to their poor fuel economy, high emissions, and complexity. The only American car to use a Wankel engine was the Mazda RX-7, which was produced from 1978 to 1992.
Despite their drawbacks, Wankel engines are still used in a few niche applications, such as in racing cars and small generators. They are also being investigated for use in hybrid and electric vehicles.