Which Cars Have a Rotary Engine?
Brief History of the Rotary Engine
The rotary engine was invented by Felix Wankel in 1954. It is a type of internal combustion engine that uses a triangular rotor that spins inside a figure-8 shaped chamber. This design allows for a smoother power delivery than traditional piston engines, and it is also more compact and lightweight.
Advantages of Rotary Engines
Rotary engines offer a number of advantages over traditional piston engines, including:
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- Smoother power delivery
- Compact and lightweight design
- High power output
- Low emissions
Disadvantages of Rotary Engines
Rotary engines also have some disadvantages, including:
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- High fuel consumption
- Short lifespan
- Complex design
Cars That Have a Rotary Engine
Only a few cars have ever been produced with rotary engines. These include:
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- Mazda Cosmo Sport
- Mazda RX-2
- Mazda RX-3
- Mazda RX-4
- Mazda RX-5
- Mazda RX-7
- Mazda RX-8
- NSU Ro 80
- Citroën GS Birotor
- Wankel Spider
The Future of Rotary Engines
The future of rotary engines is uncertain. Mazda discontinued production of the RX-8 in 2012, and there are no current plans to produce any new rotary-powered vehicles. However, there is still a loyal following of rotary engine enthusiasts, and it is possible that we will see a revival of this technology in the future.
