MX-30 R-EV
The wankel engine is back! Of course, it is Mazda that is reviving the rotary engine. We are talking about the all-new Mazda MX-30 R-EV, which will be launched in 2023. In this particular electric car, a wankel engine provides power. So in fact, it is not an all-electric car, but a plug-in hybrid. You can also charge it via a plug namely. Here you can read all about this special MX-30 R-EV.
Mazda RX-7
The MX-30 R-EV is yet another model from Mazda with a rotary engine. One of the best-known Mazda cars with a wankel engine is, of course, theMazda RX-7. At the front of the third-generation RX-7 is a double-blown wankel engine with a capacity of only 1.3-liter. Not too bad, right? None of that. The high-revving powerplant is so powerful that the car is electronically limited to 250 km/h!
Mazda 787B
Mazda’s most famous race car with a wankel engine is the Mazda 787B. The 787B won the 1991 24 Hours of Le Mans, driven by Johnny Herbert, Volker Weidler and Bertrand Gachot. It was the first victory by a Japanese manufacturer and the only one, until Toyota won the 2018 24 Hours of Le Mans. To this day, it is the only car with a wankel engine to ever win the race.
Full
During the race, Mazda’s team manager instructed the drivers to go flat out, as he had seen during testing how reliable and economical the 787B was. Right, you read that right. The wankel engine was more economical than the traditional internal combustion engines of the competition. Whereas a wankel engine is known precisely for its great thirst. However, a wankel engine is reasonably efficient at full load. During a race, that is. Consumption increases relatively significantly when they have little work to do. Therefore, the engines are not ideal for consumer cars.
Flat-out
In the early stages of the race, this flat-out strategy paid off, as the bright orange and green No. 55 advanced to third place. The Mazda then quickly moved into the lead after a Mercedes made a pit stop with gearbox problems and another Mercedes – which was leading the race – slowed down to conserve its fuel. The Mazda was reliable AND economical, and so could stay full on the gas. Thus, the 787B became the first Japanese car and the only rotary-engine car to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Forbidden
According to myth, the car was so fast and reliable that the following year the organization banned the use of the wankel engine. However, this is not correct. The 787B was a wonderful piece of engineering on wheels, but not the reason for the ban. Rotary engines were banned as cars began to share engine regulations with Formula One beginning in 1992. That meant an atmospheric 3.5-liter internal combustion engine with traditional pistons.
Rotary pistons
Actually, these regulations were supposed to go into effect as early as 1991. Because many teams did not have their engines in order at that time, the rule changes were pushed back to 1992. As a result, the wankel engine – which uses rotary pistons – was no longer welcome as of 1992. Only from 2019 will the wankel engine be allowed again at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. You can see and hear how the Mazda 787B sounds in the video below. We’ll give it away now: delicious!
As an automotive enthusiast with a deep understanding of the industry, I bring to you a wealth of knowledge that spans the history of Mazda's iconic rotary engines. My expertise is grounded in extensive research and a passion for automobiles, making me well-equipped to delve into the concepts mentioned in the article.
Let's start with the focal point of the article: the Mazda MX-30 R-EV. This upcoming electric car from Mazda is unique in that it incorporates a Wankel engine, reviving a technology synonymous with the brand. The Wankel engine, known for its rotary design, is a standout feature in the MX-30 R-EV, making it a plug-in hybrid rather than a purely electric vehicle. This innovation allows for a blend of electric and internal combustion power, providing flexibility to the driver. The MX-30 R-EV represents Mazda's commitment to pushing boundaries and exploring alternative powertrain solutions.
The article also references the Mazda RX-7, a classic model renowned for its Wankel engine. In the third-generation RX-7, a 1.3-liter double-blown Wankel engine takes center stage. Despite its relatively small capacity, this high-revving powerplant propels the RX-7 to impressive speeds, reaching an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h. The RX-7 showcases Mazda's historical prowess in harnessing the potential of rotary engines for performance-oriented vehicles.
Moving on to the Mazda 787B, a legendary race car in the brand's history, we witness the Wankel engine achieving a milestone victory. The 787B secured Mazda's historic win at the 1991 24 Hours of Le Mans, marking the first triumph by a Japanese manufacturer. The uniqueness of the Wankel engine is highlighted by its surprising combination of reliability and fuel efficiency during the race. Contrary to the common perception of rotary engines being fuel-thirsty, the 787B demonstrated efficiency under the flat-out racing conditions, ultimately securing its place in automotive history.
Addressing a common misconception, the article dispels the myth that the success of the 787B led to the banning of Wankel engines. In reality, the ban on rotary engines in motorsports, including Le Mans, was a result of shared engine regulations with Formula One, beginning in 1992. The shift to a 3.5-liter atmospheric internal combustion engine with traditional pistons rendered the Wankel engine incompatible with the new rules.
The fascinating journey of the Wankel engine, from Le Mans victories to temporary bans and its eventual return in 2019, showcases Mazda's commitment to innovation and the enduring legacy of rotary-powered vehicles. If you're curious about the distinctive sound of the Mazda 787B, the article teases a video that captures the auditory delight of this iconic engine – a testament to the enduring allure of the Wankel design.
