Which cars use rotary engines?
2 Answers
In the early market, Mazda models used rotary engines, such as the Mazda RX7 and Mazda RX8. However, as of August 2019, these models have been completely discontinued, and due to policies and other reasons, rotary engines are no longer produced, truly exiting the market. The rotary engine eliminates the reciprocating motion effect of pistons in traditional engine cylinders, instead directly converting the combustion expansion force of fuel and mixed gases into driving torque. Additional information: In terms of size, rotary engines are smaller than traditional engines. At the same time, rotary engines have characteristics such as low center of gravity, light weight, and low failure rate, which can improve the handling of the car to a certain extent. However, the disadvantages of rotary engines are also quite obvious, including higher fuel consumption and more pollutant emissions. Because rotary engines do not have the high compression ratio of traditional reciprocating engines, the fuel in the cylinders does not burn fully, leading to a lot of fuel waste and the production of a large amount of harmful substances due to incomplete combustion.
I've been a car enthusiast since childhood, with a particular fascination for rotary engines, and Mazda is the only company that persistently developed them. I remember they launched the Cosmo Sport in the 1960s, followed by models like the RX-2 and RX-3, all equipped with rotary engines. The RX-7, introduced in 1978, became a legend—its twin-rotor design delivered high performance and lightweight agility, excelling in motorsports, though it was a bit thirsty on fuel. The 1990s RX-7 FD was even cooler, with massive tuning potential, adored by fans worldwide. The 2003 RX-8 featured a newer, more eco-friendly engine and a four-door design, but sadly, it's now discontinued. Used models are still findable, though prices are climbing fast. Rotary engines are uniquely smooth and rev-happy, but sealing issues made them hard to sustain. I'd recommend enthusiasts grab one for their collection—regular maintenance can extend its lifespan.