Rotary engine set to return, however not in a Mazda

The rotary engine will make a comeback, but it surely received’t be coming from the model most recognised for utilizing it in high-performance vehicles, Mazdaas a substitute rising from a Chinese language producer.

In response to CarscoopsChina’s Changan Vehicle Group, which developed the Mazda 6e due in Australia in mid-2026 by way of its three way partnership with the Japanese model, has confirmed it can produce a single-rotor inside combustion engine from 2027.

It received’t be in a street automobile, nonetheless, with the 53kW rotary deliberate for a low-altitude plane, and a stronger twin-rotor model below growth providing greater than twice the facility.

Changan will develop each naturally aspirated and turbocharged variations, stated Carscoopsand is engaged on the undertaking with ARIDGE, the flying-car arm of Chinese language automaker Xpengin addition to Chinese language tech large Huawei.

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Whereas the brand new rotary formally has nothing to do with Mazda, the connection between the 2 corporations suggests it may very well be the leg-up wanted to see rotary-powered Mazdas again in showrooms.

The rotary engine, often called the Wankel engine after Dr Felix Wankel, who first patented it in 1936, makes use of a spinning ‘rotor’ as a substitute of reciprocating pistons.

The easy design brings advantages together with fewer transferring components and a extra compact total measurement, promising reliability and decrease upkeep prices (in principle, at the least).

It was additionally meant to ship smoother, quieter operation, though these traits could also be debated by lovers, with the rotary’s signature ‘brap’ engine word something however quiet in extremely modified examples.