Quite the interesting engine design, if you’re in the market for an older Mazda vehicle, you may have heard about the rotary engine. Last used on the 2012 RX-8, it is the type of engine you just do not see used much. Should you buy one?
What are the specs for the Mazda rotary engine?
The Mazda rotary engine offered between 100 and 700 horsepower, or 75 to 522 kW of power. The torque output ranged from 130 to 407 Nm or 96 to 300 lb-ft.
Also known as the Wankel rotary engine, these Mazda engines are still around in many vehicles (if your Mazda lasts that long). What you will find is that they had a few problems that led to them being less frequently used and eventually dropped.
If you’re buying a pre-owned vehicle with a Mazda rotary engine, make sure to get the Vehicle History report to check out all of the details.
History of the Mazda Rotary Engine
Rotary engines are not just a Mazda thing, but they have been used by the manufacturer for over 50 years. They were first made by the company in the early 1960s. At that time, the company received licensing from Wankel technology, a German company, to use the design. That German company is now a part of Audi.
These engines are an internal combustion engine. What makes them unique is that they use spinning rotors instead of pistons. That is what drives the vehicle. There are some benefits to this. For example, it has a much more compact size.
Because of this, it has more power to it in comparison to other engines of its size. The problem with these engines, though, is that they use more oil. They also have a significantly lower fuel economy compared to their piston counterparts.
These engines are still reliable. They can last a long time and can also be more efficient if you hold the RPMs at a constant rate.
Mazda, in its search for a more reliable and powerful car, released the engine in the 1967 Mazda Cosmo Sport 110S. That car featured a 1.2L (73 ci) two-rotor Wankel engine. It produced 110 horsepower, but it is a dream of a car when it comes to style and class.
That vehicle never made it to the U.S. It is also very hard to find as well – only 343 were ever made.
The vehicles, which were a short-wheelbase car, were switched out for the long-wheelbase in 1968.
Mazda’s next move for the rotary engine was in the Mazda REPU – that stands for Rotary Engine Pick Up. That’s just what it was. It was a small pickup truck. By comparison to competitors of the day, like the Dodge Ram and Chevrolet LUV, this engine got 50 more horsepower.
Another vehicle with the Mazda rotary engine is the 1988 Mazda RX-7 Turbo II. This vehicle has a 1.3L (79 ci) Turbocharged two-rotor Wankel engine that produced 182 horsepower. The car had some power and was a sizable competitor for the next years.
Several other versions of the engine would be used in the coming models. The Mazda RX-8 was the final vehicle to utilize it. It was produced for six years. The final version was a 1.3L naturally aspirated engine. This two-rotor engine was able to produce 230 horsepower.
Which Models Have a Mazda Rotary Engine?
There were numerous over the years. Some of the most well known Mazda rotary engines include:
- Mazda RX-8
- Mazda RX-7
- Mazda RX-7 Turbo II
- Mazda REPU
- Mazda Cosmo
People Also Ask These Questions About the Mazda Rotary Engine
These interesting and fun engines are something many people ask about. Here are some of the most common questions people ask and answers to them.
Does Mazda Still Use Rotary Engines?
The last vehicle it produced for streetcar production and use with a rotary engine was the Mazda RX-8.
The company let go of this engine mainly because it was too bad with fuel economy and emissions.
The technology is still being used in other vehicles.
Why Does Mazda Use Rotary Engines?
The company started out making the rotary engine as a way to stand out as it was falling behind the competition. These engines proved to be lighter in weight and smaller but had much more power than other engines like it. They were smoother and quieter to drive, too.
How Long Do Mazda Rotary Engines Last?
It is not uncommon for these engines to start to struggle around 80,000 miles to 100,000 miles. You may have to rebuild them around that time, even with decent maintenance to them. You may find some that need more work than others, but they tend to be costly rebuilds.
How Much Horsepower Can You Get from a Rotary Engine?
The RX-8 engine was able to get up to 230 horsepower, and that was the most produced by this vehicle over time. That comes from the 1.3L engine in these vehicles. The engines are powerful, and they can give you a nice punch when you put your foot down on the gas pedal.
Are Rotary Engines Two-Stroke?
Yes, rotary engines, like those used by Mazda, are a two-stroke cycle engine. It also has three chambers, one as a combustion chamber and one as a blown chamber.
Do Mazda RX-7 Vehicles Have a Rotary Engine?
The answer here is yes. Those vehicles produced from 1978 through 2002, including all three generations, have a rotary engine. These are lightweight Wankel engines that are common in Mazda sports vehicles.
