CAN THE ROTARY ENGINE SURVIVE THE '80S?

In successfully developing the rotary engine, Mazda overcame various problems which had faced other manufacturers: excessive wear of the apex seals, failure of the side seals, and idle speed instability. In 1968, Mazda's R100 rotary coupe received wide acclaim in the American market, by customers because of its performance and lower cost, and by manufacturers because it would streamline production methods. General Motors and Mazda envisioned a family of rotary engines all using standardized rotors and housings in multiple configurations for various car bodies. The 1973 estimate by the Environmental Protection Agency of 10.5 mpg for the rotary engine (half the mileage claimed by Mazda) and the 1974 oil embargo obliterated the rotary's chances. Ironically, the rotary Mazda was one of only two cars that could pass the strict 1975 pollution standards. Mazda brought out the RX-7 rotary in 1978 and the 1981 model will have a catalytic converter rather than the previous thermal reactor for emission control. In the domestic versions with catalyst, Mazda reports a 20% mileage increase, putting the RX-7 in the 29 mpg range. The next area of development will be improvement of the engine low-speed-torque characteristics via a Timed Induction with Supercharging system. By the mid-1980's, Mazda expects to use the rotary in other models, the likeliest candidate being the new front-wheel drive GLC. In Japan, the rotary is being used in the Luce four-door sedan and the Cosmo sport coupes.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00324558
• Corporate Authors:

  Hearst Magazines

  224 West 57th Street
  New York, NY  United States  10019
• Authors:
  • Assenza, T
• Publication Date: 1980-10

Media Info

• Pagination: 4 p.
• Serial:
  • Popular Mechanics
  • Volume: 154
  • Issue Number: 4
  • Publisher: Hearst Magazines
  • ISSN: 0032-4558

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air quality management; Catalytic converters; Exhaust gases; Rotary engines; Superchargers
• Old TRIS Terms: Exhaust emission control; Supercharging
• Subject Areas: Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00380638
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-030 334
• Files: HSL, USDOT
• Created Date: Jan 30 1984 12:00AM