Do Any Cars Still Use Rotary Engines?

Yes—but only in a supporting role. As of 2025, the only new car using a rotary engine is Mazda’s MX-30 e-Skyactiv R-EV, where a single-rotor unit works solely as a generator to extend electric range; no current production car uses a rotary to drive the wheels directly. Here’s how we got here, what’s on sale now, and what might come next for the storied Wankel rotary.

What’s on sale today

Mazda revived the rotary in 2023 as a compact, smooth-running range extender for the MX-30 e-Skyactiv R-EV. The setup keeps the car electric-driven at all times: the rotary never turns the wheels, it just feeds a generator to charge the battery on the move. The model has been offered in select European markets and Japan and continues into 2025; Mazda has not offered the R-EV in the United States.

Key facts that define Mazda’s current rotary-powered model:

• Powertrain layout: single-rotor 830 cc petrol engine coupled to a generator; traction is provided by an electric motor.
• Electric-first driving: the car operates as a series plug-in hybrid (range extender), prioritizing EV operation with a usable battery sized for daily trips.
• Typical specs: about 17–18 kWh battery capacity, roughly 125 kW (170 hp) traction motor, and an EV-only range around 85 km WLTP (varies by market/trim).
• Markets: sold in Europe and Japan; not offered in the U.S. as of 2025.
• Purpose of the rotary: compactness, smoothness, and packaging advantages compared with a piston engine in the same role.

In short, Mazda’s MX-30 R-EV keeps the rotary alive purely as an on-board generator—an engineering role that sidesteps the emissions and durability challenges that plagued earlier, wheel-driving rotary sports cars.

What no longer exists

Rotary engines once powered an eclectic mix of production cars, from experimental sedans to cult-favorite sports cars. Those programs have all ended, the last mainstream example bowing out more than a decade ago.

• Mazda RX-8 (2003–2012): the final mass-produced rotary sports car.
• Mazda RX-7 (1978–2002): iconic two-seater across three generations.
• Mazda Cosmo/110S and later Cosmo models (1967–1990s): Mazda’s rotary pioneers and luxury evolutions.
• NSU Ro 80 (1967–1977): advanced German sedan that helped establish—and expose—the rotary’s durability challenges.
• NSU/Wankel Spider (1964–1967): early rotary production two-seater.
• Citroën GS Birotor (1973–1975): rare French experiment curtailed by the oil crisis.

These cars cemented the rotary’s reputation for smoothness and high-revving character, but emissions, fuel economy, and long-term reliability ultimately ended their production runs—the Mazda RX-8’s 2012 farewell marked the end of rotary-powered road cars driving their wheels.

Experimental and niche uses

Outside mainstream car showrooms, rotary engines persist in specialist roles and prototypes. They remain attractive where compact size, low vibration, and high power-to-weight matter more than absolute efficiency.

• Range-extender prototypes: various automakers and suppliers have tested rotary gensets for EVs, similar in concept to Mazda’s approach.
• Hydrogen experiments: Mazda and others have explored hydrogen-fueled rotaries for low-carbon operation, though no series-production car is on sale with this setup.
• Motorcycles and track-only machines: limited-production rotary bikes (e.g., Crighton) continue as niche, non-road-legal efforts.
• Aerospace and generators: UAVs and compact generator suppliers use small rotaries or rotary-derivative designs where packaging and smoothness are paramount.
• Engine swaps and kits: enthusiasts still build rotary-powered restomods and race cars using legacy Mazda rotary engines.

These efforts show the rotary’s enduring appeal in specialized contexts, but none translate into mass-market, wheel-driving production cars today.

Why rotaries faded—and why Mazda brought one back

Classic Wankel rotaries struggled to meet tightening emissions and fuel-economy standards, and they demanded meticulous engineering to manage apex seals, oil consumption, and cold starts. As regulations and efficiency expectations rose, the cost-benefit calculus tipped toward piston engines and, eventually, electrification. Mazda’s revival reframes the rotary’s strengths—compactness and smoothness—as ideal traits for a generator in an electric-first powertrain, where the engine can run in efficient, steady-state conditions and is shielded from the transient demands that once highlighted its weaknesses.

Outlook

Mazda has teased possible rotary futures—most notably the Iconic SP concept unveiled in 2023, which imagined a twin-rotor generator paired with an electric sports-car drivetrain—but has made no production commitment as of 2025. The company continues to position the rotary primarily as a range extender rather than a direct-drive performance engine. Regulatory trends and the rapid march toward full battery-electric vehicles suggest any broader rotary comeback will be limited and specialized.

Summary

As of 2025, the rotary engine survives in one new car: Mazda’s MX-30 e-Skyactiv R-EV, where it acts only as a generator. No current production model uses a rotary to drive the wheels. Historic rotary icons like the Mazda RX-7 and RX-8 are gone, and although concepts and niche projects keep the flame alive, a mainstream rotary renaissance remains unlikely.

Do any modern cars use rotary engines?

Very few modern cars have a rotary engine. Because of the drawbacks associated with their economy, as well as the relative expense of manufacturing them, most car makers have stuck to piston-powered engines. But not every one of them. Japanese car brand Mazda has experimented with rotary-engined cars since the 1960s.

Are rotary engines still made?

Yes, rotary engines are still being made by Mazda, which reintroduced them in 2023 as a range extender for a plug-in hybrid compact SUV, the Mazda MX-30 R-EV. This marked their return to mass production after an 11-year hiatus since the Mazda RX-8. Mazda has committed to continued research and development of rotary engines, focusing on improving efficiency, emissions, and power for future applications, possibly in sports cars or other electrified vehicles. 
This video explains the comeback of the rotary engine in the Mazda MX-30 R-EV: 56sEngineering ExplainedYouTube · Feb 17, 2023
Why Mazda brought back the rotary engine

• Market demand: There was positive reception from media and the public, along with strong support from loyal fans. 
• Electrification synergy: Mazda sees the rotary engine as a solution for extending the range of electric vehicles by acting as a power generator. 
• Driving experience: They aim to maintain the unique, low-vibration, and smooth driving experience characteristic of rotary engines. 
• Innovation: The company is working to make rotary engines cleaner, more fuel-efficient, and more powerful for the modern era. 

How the new rotary engine works

• The Wankel rotary engine in the MX-30 R-EV charges the battery rather than directly powering the wheels. 
• This setup allows the engine to run at its optimal operating speed for greater efficiency. 
• The engine’s compact, lightweight design and potential for fuel flexibility (running on petrol, biofuel, or synthetic fuels) make it an attractive option for the evolving automotive market. 

What was the last car with a rotary engine?

The Mazda MX-30 R-EV was the last production car with a rotary engine, with its production starting in June 2023 as a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) that used a rotary engine as a range extender to recharge the battery. Before the MX-30 R-EV, the Mazda RX-8 was the last sports car to be produced with a rotary engine, ending its production run in 2012.
 
The rotary engine’s timeline with Mazda

• 1961: Mazda entered a technical partnership with NSU and Wankel to develop the rotary engine. 
• 2012: Production of the Mazda RX-8, the last Mazda car to feature the rotary engine in a performance-focused role, ended due to increasing emissions standards. 
• 2023: Mazda reintroduced the rotary engine in the MX-30 R-EV, but this time as a power generator to extend the range of an electric vehicle. 

What does this mean for Mazda’s rotary engine history?

• While the RX-8 was the last “traditional” rotary car, the MX-30 R-EV shows that Mazda has not completely abandoned the technology. 
• The MX-30 R-EV is a significant development, allowing the company to keep the rotary engine alive and viable as a range extender. 
• There are also plans for future rotary-powered cars, though details remain limited. 

Is Mazda bringing back the RX8?

No, the Mazda RX-8 was not officially brought back, but Mazda launched a 2026 model year hybrid rotary sports car called the RX-8, featuring the nameplate and freestyle rear doors to mark a revival of their rotary-powered sports cars. This vehicle, powered by a hybrid electric system and a 16X Renaissance engine, aims to blend the character of the rotary engine with improved fuel efficiency and emissions standards.
 
Key Features of the New 2026 RX-8:

• Powertrain: A 1.6L single-rotor 16X Renaissance unit paired with a hybrid electric system, delivering 340 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque. 
• Drivetrain: Rear-wheel-drive. 
• Transmission: Available with a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic transmission. 
• Performance: Achieves 0 to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds. 
• Design: Retains the signature freestyle rear doors and features a modern, sleek design with aerodynamic lines. 
• Interior: Features a driver-focused cockpit with a digital instrument cluster, high-quality materials, and a floating infotainment screen. 
• Driving Experience: Combines the high-revving nature of the rotary engine with instant torque from the electric motor. 
• Technology: Equipped with advanced driver-assist systems, a premium audio system, and wireless connectivity. 
• Future Models: Plans include a lighter, track-focused RZ trim and a fully electric RXE model.