The rotary engine is an engine with a unique structure that uses rotational movement of triangular rotors to generate power. The first vehicle Mazda equipped with a rotary engine was the Mazda Cosmo Sport (Mazda 110S), introduced in 1967. From there, Mazda continued to refine the performance of its rotary engines, making improvements to output, fuel economy, and durability, and maintaining its position as the only automaker mass-producing rotary engines for many years. In June this year, Mazda resumed production of rotary engine vehicles for the first time in eleven years after having ended production of the Mazda RX-8 in 2012, and is set to begin sales of the twelfth rotary engine vehicle, the Mazda MX-30 e-SKYACTIV R-EV, in certain markets in the coming days.
Using a two-rotor rotary EV system, the MAZDA ICONIC SP vision study revealed at this month’s Japan Mobility Show also demonstrates the high degree of layout flexibility and future development potential that the rotary powertrain continues to offer.
Takeshi Mukai, Director and Senior Managing Executive Officer at Mazda, made the following statement in response to reaching two million total production units.
“The rotary engine is a special part of Mazda history and represents our ‘never-stop challenging spirit.’ The rotary engine is much loved by customers around the world, and we are excited to resume production and see it make a comeback. I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank everyone who has supported us on this journey – in particular, the many customers who have purchased rotary engine vehicles, our rotary engine fans, and all our business partners who were involved in development and production. Moving forward, we will continue to pass on this ‘never-stop challenging spirit,’ offering attractive vehicles that provide our customers with an exciting driving experience even in the age of electrification.”
Mazda Rotary Engine Timeline
July 1961 Technical tie-up with NSU and Wankel.
May 1967 Completion of the rotary engine announced and Mazda Cosmo Sport launches.
July 1968 Mazda Familia Rotary coupe (Mazda R100 coupe) launches.
October 1969 Mazda Luce Rotary coupe (Mazda R130 coupe) launches.
May 1970 Mazda Capella Rotary series (Mazda RX-2) launches.
September 1971 Mazda Savanna (Mazda RX-3) launches.
November 1972 Second Generation Mazda Luce Rotary series (Mazda RX-4) launches.
June 1973 Total rotary engine vehicle production volume reaches 500,000.
February 1974 Second Generation Mazda Capella (Mazda RX-2) launches.
April 1974 Mazda Rotary Pickup (REPU) launches in North America.
July 1974 Mazda Parkway Rotary 26 launches.
April 1975 Mazda Roadpacer AP launches.
October 1975 Second Generation Mazda Cosmo AP (Mazda RX-5) launches.
October 1977 Third Generation Mazda Luce (Mazda 929L) launches.
March 1978 First Generation Mazda Savanna RX-7 (Mazda RX-7) launches.
November 1978 Total rotary engine vehicle production volume reaches one million.
November 1981 Third Generation Mazda Cosmo and Fourth Generation Luce Rotary series (Mazda 929) launch.
October 1985 Second Generation Mazda Savanna RX-7 (Mazda RX-7) launches.
April 1986 Total rotary engine vehicle production volume reaches 1.5 million.
September 1986 Fifth Generation Mazda Luce (Mazda 929) launches.
April 1990 Fourth Generation Mazda Cosmo (Eunos Cosmo) launches, equipped with a three-rotor rotary engine.
June 1991 Mazda 787B wins the 59th 24 Hours of Le Mans
December 1991 Third Generation Mazda RX-7 (ɛ̃fini RX-7) launches.
April 2002 The last Mazda RX-7 limited edition model, Spirit R Series, launches.
April 2003 Mazda RX-8 launches.
November 2011 The last Mazda RX-8 special edition vehicle, Spirit R, launches.
June 2012 Production of the Mazda RX-8 ends.
June 2023 Production of the Mazda MX-30 e-SKYACTIV R-EV starts.
October 2023 Total rotary engine vehicle production volume reaches two million.
