Wankel, that’s the name of the rotary engine designed by German engineer Felix Wankel. Mazda is the last manufacturer to use a rotary engine in its production cars and in particular the RX, but perhaps, the launch of the RX-8 saw a design feature that overshadowed the continued use of the rotary engine. When you first see an RX-8, you think yes, it’s quite a svelte car, it’s sleek, it has all the usual visual cues of a two door coupe, but it’s only when you open the doors that you think hang on, there are rear doors! And that’s not all, it opens in reverse! You slide into the front seat, try out the back seat and suddenly you think, why aren’t there more coupes with doors like that. This is the first true coupe you wouldn’t feel embarrassed to invite your nanna into the back seat, even if Nanna happens to be rather tall. Sure Mercedes and Volkswagen have since created what they would like to call four door coupes, but in reality, they’re just sedans with squashed up backs to give you less headroom.
So how does it drive? The Wankel engine delivers 240bhp with a redline of 9000rpm. Needless to say, it revs hard, but to those of you not familiar with a rotary engine, the way the revs build up is incredible. Even at the 9000rpm rev limiter, you feel like the engine could spin faster yet. There’s barely any vibration from the engine even at the redline, and the revs just build upon itself, it just wants to spin faster and faster. When you’re really gunning for it, it’s highly addictive. Because of the compact nature of the twin rotary design of the engine, it sits behind the front axle and this gives the RX-8 a 50:50 weight distribution. The result is a neutral handling stance where you choose how you want to go round a corner.
So it seems like with the RX-8, you really can have your cake and eat it as well. Space and easy access for four adults, smooth powerful engine with excellent handling and now on the used market, there are plenty at around the $25,000 mark. However, the RX-8 does consume oil faster than you may be used to, so do not be alarmed. Also, do not think that being just a 1.3l that the RX-8 will be economical, it does drink rather prodigiously. Besides, the engine capacity is not comparable to reciprocating piston engines. If you are comfortable with the consumption, you’ll be rewarded with a very unique car that might be the last of its kind. With the emphasis on emissions and efficiency, Mazda may find it too expensive to continue the development of the rotary engine to meet ever tightening requirements.
Above is an illustration of the rotary engine going through its combustion cycle. Credit to Wikipedia.
Pros: True 4 seater, 4 door coupe. Distinctive and possibly the last of its kind.
Cons: Heavy fuel and oil consumption
[Carsales]
