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What are the benefits of having a rotary engine vehicle, compared to the standard engines in the other Mazda vehicles?

Date:
11 November 2010
Category:
Technology
Asked by:
Adam J
Answered by:
Craig Bennett; Product Manager

Answer:

Thanks for your question Adam, we are very proud of the way Mazda has developed the Rotary engine and our current RX-8 vehicle. In 1967 Mazda revealed its first rotary-engine-powered vehicle, the Cosmo Sport 110S, and over the years we have progressed significantly in speed and acceleration. In the rotary engine the rotor turns in a steady continuous motion, so it does not have to overcome the inertia that exists when components change direction or speed. The engine undertakes three separate jobs at the same time; therefore the rotor is doing the work of three pistons at once, leading to a more powerful performance vehicle. Rotary engines have several advantages over reciprocating piston engines; they are more compact and smaller than piston engines which means a better weight distribution and a lower center of gravity in the car. The engine’s small size and light weight means that it can be placed to give the RX-8 a perfect 50:50 ratio in weight distribution. Also, they have fewer parts to wear out or to cause friction, and have lower vibration noise levels. The benefits of the rotary engine and it’s popularity, mean that it will continue to be an integral part of the Mazda range.

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