What Cars Have a Rotary Engine?

The rotary engine is a type of internal combustion engine that uses a triangular rotor that spins within a figure-8 shaped chamber to convert pressure into rotating motion. Rotary engines are known for their smoothness, high power output, and compact size. However, they are also known for their poor fuel economy and emissions. As a result, only a few car manufacturers have ever produced rotary-engined cars.

Mazda

Mazda is the only car manufacturer that has ever produced rotary-engined cars in large numbers. The first Mazda rotary-engined car was the Cosmo Sport 110S, which was introduced in 1967. Mazda continued to produce rotary-engined cars until 2012, when the last RX-8 rolled off the assembly line. Over the years, Mazda produced a number of different rotary-engined cars, including the RX-2, RX-3, RX-4, RX-5, RX-7, and RX-8.

NSU

NSU was a German car manufacturer that produced rotary-engined cars in the 1960s and 1970s. The first NSU rotary-engined car was the Ro 80, which was introduced in 1967. The Ro 80 was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to establish the rotary engine as a viable alternative to the piston engine. However, NSU’s financial problems forced the company to sell its rotary engine technology to Mazda in 1973.

Citroën

Citroën is a French car manufacturer that produced a single rotary-engined car, the M35, in the 1970s. The M35 was a prototype car that was never put into production. However, the M35’s rotary engine was used in a number of other Citroën vehicles, including the GS Birotor and the CX 2200 Rotary.

Conclusion

The rotary engine is a unique and interesting type of internal combustion engine. However, its poor fuel economy and emissions have limited its popularity. As a result, only a few car manufacturers have ever produced rotary-engined cars. Mazda is the only car manufacturer that has ever produced rotary-engined cars in large numbers. NSU and Citroën are the only other car manufacturers that have produced rotary-engined cars. However, these cars were never put into production.