1985 Mazda Wankel Rotary Engine
Add to SetSummary
German engineer Felix Wankel conceived the rotary engine as a simpler, lighter, more compact alternative to the traditional piston engine. Various companies tried rotaries, but Mazda was the most successful, with rotary-engine cars dominating its U.S. sales from 1970 through 1972. Owners appreciated the smooth power delivery but not the poor fuel economy. When gas prices rose, Mazda reserved the Wankel rotary for high-performance sports cars.
German engineer Felix Wankel conceived the rotary engine as a simpler, lighter, more compact alternative to the traditional piston engine. Various companies tried rotaries, but Mazda was the most successful, with rotary-engine cars dominating its U.S. sales from 1970 through 1972. Owners appreciated the smooth power delivery but not the poor fuel economy. When gas prices rose, Mazda reserved the Wankel rotary for high-performance sports cars.
Artifact
Automobile engine
Date Made
1985
On Exhibit
at Henry Ford Museum in Driving America
Object ID
90.8.1
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Mazda North America, Inc.
Material
Metal
Dimensions
Height: 24 in (approx)
Width: 21 in (approx)
Length: 57 in (approx., variable)
Specifications
Make & Model: 1986 Mazda Wankel rotary engine
Maker: Mazda Motor Corporation, Hiroshima, Japan
Engine: 2 rotors, turbocharged, fuel-injected, 80 cubic inches
Horsepower: 182 at 6500 revolutions per minute
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