Which Cars Have Rotary Engines?

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. Rotary engines are known for their smooth operation, high power output, and compact size. However, they are also known for their relatively poor fuel economy and emissions.

The first production car to use a rotary engine was the Mazda Cosmo Sport 110S, which was released in 1967. Mazda has continued to be the only automaker to produce rotary-powered cars, with the current Mazda RX-8 being the last production car to use a rotary engine.

Mazda Cosmo Sport 110S (1967-1972)

The Mazda Cosmo Sport 110S was the first production car to use a rotary engine. It was powered by a 1.0-liter rotary engine that produced 110 horsepower and 115 lb-ft of torque. The Cosmo Sport 110S was a lightweight and sporty car that could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 8.9 seconds and had a top speed of 120 mph.

Mazda RX-2 (1970-1975)

The Mazda RX-2 was a rotary-powered sports car that was produced from 1970 to 1975. It was powered by a 1.2-liter rotary engine that produced 120 horsepower and 133 lb-ft of torque. The RX-2 was a popular car in Japan and was also exported to other countries, including the United States.

Mazda RX-3 (1971-1978)

The Mazda RX-3 was a rotary-powered sports car that was produced from 1971 to 1978. It was powered by a 1.3-liter rotary engine that produced 130 horsepower and 140 lb-ft of torque. The RX-3 was a successful car in Japan and was also exported to other countries, including the United States.

Mazda RX-4 (1972-1978)

The Mazda RX-4 was a rotary-powered sports car that was produced from 1972 to 1978. It was powered by a 1.8-liter rotary engine that produced 135 horsepower and 155 lb-ft of torque. The RX-4 was a larger and more luxurious car than the RX-2 and RX-3, and it was also more expensive.

Mazda RX-5 (1975-1981)

The Mazda RX-5 was a rotary-powered luxury car that was produced from 1975 to 1981. It was powered by a 1.3-liter rotary engine that produced 140 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque. The RX-5 was a popular car in Japan and was also exported to other countries, including the United States.

Mazda RX-7 (1978-2002)

The Mazda RX-7 was a rotary-powered sports car that was produced from 1978 to 2002. It was powered by a 1.3-liter rotary engine that produced 100 horsepower and 105 lb-ft of torque in its first generation, and a 1.3-liter rotary engine that produced 130 horsepower and 135 lb-ft of torque in its second generation. The RX-7 was a popular car in Japan and was also exported to other countries, including the United States.

Mazda RX-8 (2003-2012)

The Mazda RX-8 was a rotary-powered sports car that was produced from 2003 to 2012. It was powered by a 1.3-liter rotary engine that produced 232 horsepower and 159 lb-ft of torque. The RX-8 was a lightweight and sporty car that could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds and had a top speed of 145 mph.

Conclusion

The rotary engine is a unique and interesting type of internal combustion engine. It offers a number of advantages over traditional piston engines, including a smooth operation, high power output, and compact size. However, rotary engines also have some drawbacks, including relatively poor fuel economy and emissions. As a result, rotary engines are no longer used in production cars. However, they continue to be used in some racing applications.