Posted on 10/02/2018 10:01:38 AM PDT by C19fan
The rumor is now a fact: Mazda announced today that it would bring back the legendary rotary engine, though not as the main powerplant of a car. Instead, a version of the rotary will act as a range extender in one of two electric vehicles the brand will debut for 2020.
As Popular Mechanics noted in our recent feature about the story and legacy of the Wankel rotary, the engine hasn't been featured in a car since the Mazda RX-8 was canceled in 2018. But there have been rays of hope for the rotary faithful. Specifically, rumors swirled earlier this year that Mazda would move to combine the rotary with an electric powertrain, bringing the design back into production.
(Excerpt) Read more at popularmechanics.com ...
Owned three rotarys. First was a ‘73 RX-3 small wagon. In fact the tips on the rotors went out after (can’t remember) a number of miles. I paid $300 for a new engine and Mazda paid the rest.
Bought a used ‘82 RX-7. Never had a problem with it.
Then I bought a ‘93 RX-7. Twin rotor, twin turbos. Put out around 230 hp but only weighed a ton or a bit less. It was a pocket ROCKET!!!! I got it up to 155 before I let up.
Was driving from Calif to San Antonio. Somewhere In Arizona I was cruising around 110 when a west bound trooper saw me. He flashed his lights but kept on driving west.
Still own an ‘08 wagon. Not a turbo.
Just curious. I don’t have a project in the works at this time.
Nice animation demonstration of the LiquidPiston in operation:
http://liquidpiston.com/technology/how-it-works/
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