## What Cars Use a Rotary Engine?
The rotary engine, also known as the Wankel engine, is a type of internal combustion engine that uses a triangular rotor that spins within a figure-8 shaped chamber to create power. Rotary engines are known for their smooth operation, high power output, and compact size. However, they also have some drawbacks, such as lower fuel economy and higher emissions than traditional piston engines.
Only a few car manufacturers have ever produced vehicles with rotary engines. The most famous of these is Mazda, which has used rotary engines in a variety of models over the years, including the RX-7, RX-8, and Cosmo. Other car manufacturers that have used rotary engines include NSU, Citroën, and Mercedes-Benz.
Mazda RX-7
The Mazda RX-7 is a sports car that was produced from 1978 to 2002. It was available with a variety of rotary engines, including a 1.1-liter, 1.3-liter, and 1.6-liter. The RX-7 was known for its handling and performance, and it was a popular choice for racing and rallying.
Mazda RX-8
The Mazda RX-8 is a sports car that was produced from 2003 to 2012. It was available with a 1.3-liter rotary engine. The RX-8 was known for its smooth operation and high revving engine, but it was also criticized for its poor fuel economy and emissions.
Mazda Cosmo
The Mazda Cosmo is a sports car that was produced from 1967 to 1995. It was available with a variety of rotary engines, including a 0.9-liter, 1.0-liter, and 1.3-liter. The Cosmo was known for its sleek styling and advanced technology, and it was one of the first cars to use a rotary engine.
NSU Ro 80
The NSU Ro 80 is a sedan that was produced from 1967 to 1977. It was available with a 1.0-liter rotary engine. The Ro 80 was known for its advanced design and technology, but it was also plagued by reliability problems.
Citroën GS Birotor
The Citroën GS Birotor is a sedan that was produced from 1973 to 1975. It was available with a 1.0-liter rotary engine. The GS Birotor was known for its smooth operation and fuel economy, but it was also criticized for its poor performance and reliability.
Mercedes-Benz C111
The Mercedes-Benz C111 is a concept car that was produced from 1969 to 1979. It was available with a variety of engines, including a 1.6-liter and 2.6-liter rotary engine. The C111 was known for its advanced design and technology, and it was one of the first cars to use a rotary engine in a racing car.
## Advantages of Rotary Engines
Rotary engines have a number of advantages over traditional piston engines, including:
* **Smooth operation:** Rotary engines have no reciprocating parts, which means that they operate very smoothly.
* **High power output:** Rotary engines can produce more power than piston engines of the same size.
* **Compact size:** Rotary engines are more compact than piston engines, which makes them ideal for use in small vehicles.
## Disadvantages of Rotary Engines
Rotary engines also have some disadvantages, including:
* **Lower fuel economy:** Rotary engines are less fuel efficient than piston engines.
* **Higher emissions:** Rotary engines produce more emissions than piston engines.
* **Reliability problems:** Rotary engines have a reputation for being less reliable than piston engines.
## Conclusion
Rotary engines have a number of advantages over traditional piston engines, but they also have some disadvantages. As a result, only a few car manufacturers have ever produced vehicles with rotary engines. Mazda is the most famous of these manufacturers, and it has used rotary engines in a variety of models over the years. However, it is unclear whether rotary engines will ever become mainstream.
