Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[oldtimer]

I have often wondered why this concept was allowed to die as it did.I know about the problems with rotor tip seals etc.but none of these things seemed insurmountable problems,maybe NSU lacked the resources,financial and otherwise but Ialways thought Mazda would find it worthwhile when considering the minimal number of components,the light weight,compact size and power potential.
I reckon that this type of power plant,with the above mentioned benefits would have been great in the saab instead of that V4 which ruined that car,in my opinion,when it superceded their 2 stroke.

[Salopian]

Pretty dreadful fuel efficency was a problem I think due to the inherent nature of the design.
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Jonathan Butler
Alvis SD 12/50 1928 MG TD 1950

[poodge]

I assume ot is thinking of the engine.
AFAIK the latest Mazda R8 still uses a rotary engine.

[Scotty]

I believe "tip technology" has come a long way since the days of the futuristic Ro80, where nowadays they at least last a sensible length of time.

In principal it is a powerful engine in relation to its cubic capacity, but as mentioned earlier its also greedy - Mazda's current RX8 version fuel consumption is woeful.

Great idea, but never quite got it together - a bit like the single & double sleeve-valve engines of the last century.

[47Jag]

Scotty,

The displacement listed is only one chamber which is misleading. The actual displacement is over 3 litres which puts the consumption into perspective. It's like claiming a 4 cylinder 2 litre engine is only 500cc.

Art