On May 30th 1967, Mazda launched the first production car equipped with a rotary engine. The gorgeous and innovative Cosmo Sport was the world's first dual-rotor rotary-engine mass-produced automobile 40 years ago.
Since then, the technology has improved considerably, especially where fuel economy and emissions are concerned. Over the years, the rotary engine has found its way under the bonnet of such cars as the Familia Rotary Coupe, Savanna, RX-7, Eunos Cosmo and the latest one, the RX-8.
The RX-8 features the new generation of naturally-aspirated rotary engines called Renesis. It is more compact, powerful and environmentally friendly than any of its predecessors.
Back in the late 50s, many manufacturers attempted to tame the complex technology. Mazda alone overcame the obstacles and succeeded. Shortly after the release of the Cosmo, Mazda got involved in motor sports. By 1991, the famous rotary engine-powered Mazda 787B entered the history books as the only Japanese car ever to win at the Le Mans 24-hour endurance race. Rotary engines have also enjoyed much success in the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) as well.
At the moment, Mazda is working on the development of a hydrogen rotary engine which emits zero carbon dioxide (CO2). Currently, there are seven hydrogen rotary engine vehicles on the road in Japan under commercial lease.
Since then, the technology has improved considerably, especially where fuel economy and emissions are concerned. Over the years, the rotary engine has found its way under the bonnet of such cars as the Familia Rotary Coupe, Savanna, RX-7, Eunos Cosmo and the latest one, the RX-8.
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| RENESIS hydrogen rotary engine |
The RX-8 features the new generation of naturally-aspirated rotary engines called Renesis. It is more compact, powerful and environmentally friendly than any of its predecessors.
Back in the late 50s, many manufacturers attempted to tame the complex technology. Mazda alone overcame the obstacles and succeeded. Shortly after the release of the Cosmo, Mazda got involved in motor sports. By 1991, the famous rotary engine-powered Mazda 787B entered the history books as the only Japanese car ever to win at the Le Mans 24-hour endurance race. Rotary engines have also enjoyed much success in the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) as well.
At the moment, Mazda is working on the development of a hydrogen rotary engine which emits zero carbon dioxide (CO2). Currently, there are seven hydrogen rotary engine vehicles on the road in Japan under commercial lease.