Mazda announced that the total production volume of vehicles with rotary (Wankel) engines has exceeded two million units.
The rotary engine is a unique powertrain that uses the rotational motion of triangular rotors to generate power. The first Mazda vehicle equipped with a rotary engine was introduced in 1967, the Cosmo Sport (Mazda 110S). Since then, Mazda has continued to improve the performance of its rotary engines, enhancing power, fuel efficiency, and durability, and maintaining its position as the only automaker to mass-produce rotary engines for many years.
In June of this year, the Japanese brand resumed production of vehicles with rotary engines for the first time in eleven years, after ending production of the Mazda RX-8 in 2012.
The twelfth vehicle with a rotary engine, the MX-30 e-Skyactiv R-EV, which will be available in the European market this autumn, and the brand has already announced plans to continue using the rotary engine in future models.
“The rotary engine is an essential part of Mazda’s history and represents our unstoppable challenging spirit. The rotary engine is highly appreciated by customers worldwide, and we are excited to resume its production and witness its comeback. In the future, we will continue to offer attractive vehicles that provide our customers with an exciting driving experience, even in the era of electrification.”, emphasized Takeshi Mukai, Senior Managing Executive Officer and Director of Mazda.
Recall that at the recent Tokyo Motor Show, the Japanese brand unveiled the Iconic SP concept, the future MX-5, which uses a rotary electric system with two rotors that provides a highly scalable engine with flexible arrangement, capable of burning a variety of fuels, including hydrogen.
