The most interesting cars with a Wankel engine, but not Mazda
News

The most interesting cars with a Wankel engine, but not Mazda

The Japanese company was the most persistent in its development, but not the only one.

From the Cosmo to the RX-8, not to mention the 787B that even won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1991, Mazda was the most famous car to use the Wankel rotary engine. The Hiroshima-based company is actually the one that has continued to develop it with the utmost dedication – so much so that it still plans to use this engine (which was discontinued with the RX-8) again in its hybrid and electric propulsion systems. The painful history of the engine has gone through several manufacturers (including motorcycles) who have tried to adopt it, although most have not made it beyond the experimental phase. Here are all the non-Japanese car models that have tested the rotary engine.

NSU Spider - 1964

The most interesting cars with a Wankel engine, but not Mazda

Since Felix Wankel is German, the first applications of the technology he developed were tested in Europe. He collaborated with manufacturer NSU from Neckarsulm, who helped him develop and refine the idea. Several models were even produced with this engine. The first of these is the 1964 Spider, powered by a 498cc single-rotor engine. See, which develops a power of 50 horsepower. A little less than 3 pieces were made in 2400 years.

NSU RO80 – 1967

The most interesting cars with a Wankel engine, but not Mazda

The most famous model, at least among European ones, with a Wankel engine is perhaps the one that best emphasizes the main disadvantages of young technology, such as premature wear of certain components and high oil and fuel consumption. Here it has two rotors with a volume of 995 cubic meters and a power of 115 hp. The model was named Car of the Year in 1968 due to its many innovative technical and stylistic elements. More than 10 units have been produced in 37000 years.

Mercedes C111 – 1969

The most interesting cars with a Wankel engine, but not Mazda

Even Mercedes became interested in this technology, which it used in 2 of the 5 prototypes of the C111 series from 1969 to the early 1970s. The experimental machines are equipped with three- and four-rotor engines, the most powerful of which has a working volume of 2,4 liters, developing 350 hp. at 7000 rpm and a maximum speed of 300 km / h.

Citroen M35 - 1969

The most interesting cars with a Wankel engine, but not Mazda

The French company produces a small series of this experimental model based on the AMI 8 chassis, but rebuilt as a coupe, with a single-rotor Wankel engine with a displacement of just under half a liter, developing 49 horsepower. The model, which also has a simplified version of the DS hydro-pneumatic suspension, is expensive to manufacture and only 267 of the planned 500 units were produced.

Alfa Romeo 1750 and Spider - 1970

The most interesting cars with a Wankel engine, but not Mazda

Even Alfa Romeo took an interest in the engine, forcing a technical team to work with NSU for a while. Here, too, there was not enough effort to solve the technical problems of the engine, but some models, such as the 1750 sedan and Spider, were equipped with prototypes with 1 or 2 rotors, developing about 50 and 130 horsepower. However, they remained only as experiments, and after the abandonment of scientific research, they were destroyed.

Citroën GS - 1973

The most interesting cars with a Wankel engine, but not Mazda

Despite the shortcomings, the French used the 1973 engine in the compact GS version - with two rotors (hence the name "GS Birotor"), a displacement of 2 liters and an output of 107 hp. Despite amazing acceleration, the car retains reliability and cost issues to the point that production ceases after about 2 years and 900 units have been sold.

AMC Pacer – 1975

The most interesting cars with a Wankel engine, but not Mazda

The controversial compact model by the American Motors Corporation was designed specifically to use Wankel engines, which were originally to be supplied by Curtiss Wright and later GM. However, the Detroit giant has scrapped its development due to the usual problems it presents. As a result, only a few experimental engines were made, and for production models, conventional 6 and 8-cylinder units were used.

Chevrolet Aerovette – 1976

The most interesting cars with a Wankel engine, but not Mazda

Forced to abandon the intention to install the engine on production models (including the Chevrolet Vega) due to the impossibility of adequate tuning, GM continued to work on it for a while, installing it on some prototype racing models. He then installed it in a 1976 Chevrolet Aerovette that developed 420 horsepower.

Zhiguli and Samara - 1984

The most interesting cars with a Wankel engine, but not Mazda

Even in Russia, the engine aroused such curiosity that a small number of the famous Lada Lada, the beloved local version of the Fiat 124, were produced. They are equipped with a 1-rotor engine and a power of about 70 horsepower, which allows for interesting decisions. from wear and lubrication problems. It is said that about 250 units were produced, including from the Lada Samara, this time with two rotors and 130 horsepower. Most of them were transferred to the KGB and the police.

Add a comment