## What Cars Come with Rotary Engines?
### Introduction
Rotary engines, also known as Wankel engines, are a type of internal combustion engine that uses a triangular rotor to convert pressure into rotating motion. Unlike conventional piston engines, which use a crankshaft and pistons to convert pressure into motion, rotary engines use a spinning rotor to create a continuous rotating motion. This unique design offers several advantages, including a smoother power delivery, higher revving capabilities, and a more compact size.
However, rotary engines also have some drawbacks, including higher fuel consumption, lower torque output, and a shorter lifespan compared to piston engines. As a result, rotary engines have been primarily used in niche applications, such as sports cars and small aircraft.
### Cars with Rotary Engines
Despite their limited use, there have been several notable cars that featured rotary engines. Some of the most famous examples include:
**Mazda RX-7 (1978-2002)**: The Mazda RX-7 was a sports car produced by Mazda from 1978 to 2002. It was the first mass-produced car to feature a rotary engine. The RX-7 was known for its lightweight and agile handling, as well as its distinctive rotary engine sound.
**Mazda RX-8 (2003-2012)**: The Mazda RX-8 was a sports car produced by Mazda from 2003 to 2012. It was the successor to the RX-7 and featured a more modern and refined rotary engine. The RX-8 was also known for its sporty handling and unique “suicide doors.”
**NSU Ro 80 (1967-1977)**: The NSU Ro 80 was a luxury sedan produced by NSU from 1967 to 1977. It was the first production car to feature a rotary engine. The Ro 80 was known for its advanced design and innovative features, but it was also plagued by reliability problems.
**Citroën GS Birotor (1973-1975)**: The Citroën GS Birotor was a station wagon produced by Citroën from 1973 to 1975. It was the only production car to feature a two-rotor rotary engine. The GS Birotor was known for its smooth power delivery and fuel efficiency, but it was also expensive and complex to maintain.
### Advantages of Rotary Engines
* **Smooth power delivery:** Rotary engines produce a continuous rotating motion, which results in a smoother power delivery compared to piston engines. This makes rotary engines ideal for sports cars and other performance-oriented vehicles.
* **Higher revving capabilities:** Rotary engines can rev higher than piston engines, which allows them to produce more power at higher speeds. This makes rotary engines ideal for racing applications.
* **Compact size:** Rotary engines are more compact than piston engines, which makes them ideal for use in small vehicles.
### Disadvantages of Rotary Engines
* **Higher fuel consumption:** Rotary engines typically consume more fuel than piston engines, especially at low speeds.
* **Lower torque output:** Rotary engines produce less torque than piston engines, especially at low speeds. This makes rotary engines less suitable for heavy-duty applications.
* **Shorter lifespan:** Rotary engines typically have a shorter lifespan than piston engines. This is due to the unique design of rotary engines, which results in higher wear and tear on the engine components.
### Conclusion
Rotary engines offer several advantages over piston engines, including a smoother power delivery, higher revving capabilities, and a more compact size. However, rotary engines also have some drawbacks, including higher fuel consumption, lower torque output, and a shorter lifespan. As a result, rotary engines have been primarily used in niche applications, such as sports cars and small aircraft.
