Wankel engine

The Wankel rotary engine is a type of internal combustion engine, invented by German engineer Felix Wankel, which uses a rotor instead of reciprocating pistons. This design promises smooth high-rpm power from a compact, lightweight engine; however Wankel engines are criticized for poor fuel efficiency and exhaust emissions.

Introduction

Since its introduction in the NSU Motorenwerke AG (NSU) and Mazda cars of the 1960s, the engine has also been commonly referred to as the "rotary engine"; however, that name also applies to a wide variety of other engine designs, most notably the rotary piston engine once commonly used in aircraft, as well other rotary combustion engine designs such as a more recent concept called the Quasiturbine.

Related Topics:
NSU Motorenwerke AG - Mazda - Rotary piston engine - Rotary combustion engine - Quasiturbine

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Although many manufacturers licensed the design, only Mazda has produced Wankel engines in large numbers. Today, the engine is only available in a single Mazda car currently produced, the Mazda RX-8.

Related Topics:
Mazda - Mazda RX-8

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