Which cars are equipped with rotary engines?

[DiBrynlee]

Cars equipped with rotary engines include models such as the Mazda RX7 and Mazda RX8. The rotary engine can directly convert the combustion expansion force of combustible gas into driving torque. By eliminating useless linear motion, rotary engines of the same power are smaller in size, lighter in weight, and have lower vibration and noise, offering significant advantages. The Mazda RX7 has dimensions of 4430mm in length, 1770mm in width, and 1340mm in height. In terms of power, the car adopts the traditional sports car standard FR drive configuration, equipped with a twin-turbocharged 13B-REW rotary engine with a maximum power of 195kW and a maximum torque of 294Nm, paired with a five-speed manual transmission.

[SanVictoria]

This question reminds me of the days chatting with friends who are into car modifications. Rotary engines sound pretty cool, right? Mazda is the most famous for playing with rotaries, with classics like the RX-7 series, especially the second-gen FC and third-gen FD which made appearances in "Initial D." There's also the RX-8, whose suicide doors were quite stunning when it launched in 2003, though unfortunately it was discontinued in 2012. The earlier Cosmo Sport can be considered the pioneer of rotaries, already racing at Le Mans in 1967. Actually, Mercedes also experimented with rotary-powered concept cars, like the C111 which set speed records in the 1970s. Recently, I heard the MX-30 hybrid is using a rotary engine as a range extender, so it seems this technology hasn't completely disappeared yet.

[CharlesAnn]

Once when I volunteered as a docent at an automobile museum, I specialized in researching rotary engines. When it comes to production vehicles, Mazda was undoubtedly the main force: the first was the 1967 Cosmo, whose streamlined design still looks modern today; later, the Familia Rotary and Capella Rotary brought rotary engines into the family car segment; the 1978 SA22C was the chassis code for the first-generation RX-7; the most impressive was the 1991 rotary race car 787B winning the Le Mans. The German NSU company also contributed, with the Ro80 sedan using a rotary engine as early as 1967, although it had a high failure rate. The Soviet Union even copied this technology, producing the VAZ 21019 police car in 1974.

[Logan]

I always love choosing the RX-7 in racing games, but there aren't many rotary engine models in reality. Mazda dominates the field: the Cosmo started the history, the RX-7 was the hottest seller from 1978 to 2002, and the RX-8 lasted until 2012. Some lesser-known models include the NSU Ro80 sedan, with 37,000 units made in Germany. The Mercedes C111 experimental car was more of a concept. Last year, news broke that Mazda's patent documents revealed a new rotary hybrid system in development—perhaps a revival is truly possible.

[DeCooper]

Looking through the automotive annals, it's evident that fewer than ten car models have utilized rotary engines. The mainstay is the Mazda family: the Cosmo Sport (1967), three generations of the RX-7 (SA/FD/SE), the RX-8, and the Rotary Pickup truck. In Europe, there's only the German NSU Ro80 sedan (1967-77) and Mercedes-Benz's experimental C111 (1969). Notably, Mazda tested a rotary range extender in the MX-30 hybrid last year, achieving fuel consumption of less than 7 liters per 100 kilometers. This technology might truly make a comeback.

[VanJoshua]

A veteran at the car dealership once gave me a lesson on rotary engine cars. About 90% of production models were Mazdas: starting with the 1967 Cosmo, through the 13th-generation RX-7, up to the RX-8 discontinued in 2008. The pivotal moment was at Le Mans—the iconic 1991 victory of the roaring #55 787B race car with its rotary engine. Europe also dabbled, with Mercedes hitting 300km/h in the 1970s C111. Though this engine was phased out due to high fuel consumption, rumor has it Mazda filed a new patent last year to develop a single-rotor + electric motor range extender.