Do Any Cars Still Use a Rotary Engine?

Yes—but only in a supporting role. Mazda’s MX-30 e‑Skyactiv R‑EV, sold in select markets, uses a compact rotary engine as a generator to extend driving range. No current mass‑production car uses a rotary engine as the primary drive unit; the last mainstream rotary-driven sports car, Mazda’s RX‑8, ended production in 2012. Here’s what’s still on the road, where you can find it, and why the rotary’s modern comeback is focused on range‑extender duty rather than full propulsion.

The rotary that’s on sale today

Mazda reintroduced the rotary in 2023 as a series plug‑in hybrid powerplant for the MX‑30 e‑Skyactiv R‑EV. In this configuration, an 830 cc single‑rotor engine acts solely as a generator to charge a battery that powers the electric motor; the rotary never directly drives the wheels. Availability is limited and market-specific, but the model remains the lone example of a rotary in current passenger-car production.

• Drivetrain layout: Series plug‑in hybrid—electric motor propels the car; rotary engine generates electricity.
• Engine: 830 cc single‑rotor unit designed for compactness and smooth operation at steady speeds.
• Battery and motor: Moderately sized PHEV battery (around the high‑teens kWh) paired with an e‑motor roughly in the 120–130 kW bracket, enabling daily EV commuting with engine backup.
• Role of the rotary: Runs under optimized conditions as a generator to improve emissions and efficiency compared with past rotary road cars.
• Sales footprint: Offered in select European markets and Japan; not sold in the United States. Market availability and trims can vary by country and model year.

In practical terms, the MX‑30 R‑EV delivers the feel of an EV for short trips, with the rotary providing silent, compact, and vibration‑light electricity generation for longer journeys or when charging isn’t convenient.

Where it’s available

The MX‑30 e‑Skyactiv R‑EV’s availability is targeted rather than global, reflecting both regulatory nuance and Mazda’s incremental rollout strategy.

• Europe: Sold in a number of countries (for example, the UK, Germany, and others) with specifications and trims tailored to local demand and incentives.
• Japan: Offered domestically, aligning with Mazda’s heritage market for rotary technology.
• North America: Not offered in the U.S.; Mazda discontinued the battery‑only MX‑30 in that market and did not introduce the rotary R‑EV version there.

If you’re interested, check your local Mazda distributor’s site for current model‑year details, as configurations and order availability can shift with regional policies and demand.

What might be next

Automakers continue to experiment with rotary tech—but mostly in concepts or as potential range‑extender solutions rather than as standalone engines for propulsion.

• Mazda Iconic SP concept: Unveiled in 2023 with a dual‑rotor range‑extender theme for a compact sports car; it signaled intent but came without a production commitment.
• Future range‑extenders: Mazda has discussed the rotary’s modularity and potential use beyond the MX‑30, but no additional production models have been formally confirmed.
• Other brands: Various patents and prototypes have surfaced over the years across the industry, yet no other automaker currently sells a rotary‑equipped passenger car.

In short, the rotary’s near‑term prospects appear tied to niche range‑extender roles, where its compactness and smoothness are most advantageous.

Why you don’t see rotary engines driving the wheels anymore

The rotary’s renaissance is pragmatic: as a generator, it sidesteps the issues that hampered it as a primary engine while playing to its strengths.

• Emissions and efficiency: Historically challenging for rotaries due to combustion geometry and oil sealing; steady‑state generator operation makes compliance easier.
• Apex‑seal durability and oil use: Maintenance and oil consumption were pain points in daily use; as a range‑extender, the engine runs less and under controlled conditions.
• Real‑world fuel economy: Past rotary sports cars often lagged piston rivals; a generator role paired with electrification reduces those penalties.
• Packaging advantages: The rotary’s small, light form factor is ideal for packaging in PHEVs where space is at a premium.
• NVH benefits: Rotaries are smooth and quiet, improving perceived refinement when they switch on behind an electric drivetrain.

These factors make the rotary better suited to augment EVs rather than replace piston engines in conventional drivetrains.

A quick history of rotary road cars

While niche today, the rotary once anchored a series of distinctive production models and motorsport legends.

• NSU Ro80 (1967–1977): The first notable rotary sedan, innovative but plagued by early reliability issues.
• Mazda Cosmo Sport (1967): The brand’s rotary debut and a design icon.
• Mazda RX‑7 (1978–2002): Three generations of lightweight sports cars that defined rotary performance for enthusiasts.
• Mazda RX‑8 (2003–2012): The last mass‑market rotary sports car, retired amid tightening emissions rules.
• Mazda 787B (1991): Rotary racing pinnacle—won Le Mans with a four‑rotor engine, cementing the tech’s motorsport legacy.

After the RX‑8, the rotary largely vanished from showrooms until Mazda repurposed it as a modern range‑extender.

Bottom line

Yes, a car still uses a rotary engine—but only as a generator. Mazda’s MX‑30 e‑Skyactiv R‑EV, sold in select markets in Europe and Japan, keeps the rotary flame alive in a range‑extender role. No current production car uses a rotary as its primary drive engine, and future appearances are most likely to remain in specialized, electrified applications rather than a return to mainstream rotary‑powered sports cars.

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 is one drawback to a rotary engine?

Disadvantages and Challenges
They consume more fuel than piston engines due to their unique combustion process and design limitations. Apex seal wear and leakage present another challenge, as these seals maintain compression and prevent gas escape; their wear leads to reduced performance and higher oil consumption.

Do any modern cars use rotary engines?

Yes, some cars still use rotary engines, though very few. Mazda is the main manufacturer, and they have recently reintroduced a rotary engine in the Mazda MX-30 e-SKYACTIV R-EV as a range extender for its hybrid-electric system. While rotary engines were once abandoned by most manufacturers due to issues with emissions, fuel economy, and durability compared to piston engines, Mazda has found them a good fit for their hybrid applications, providing a compact and reliable power source.
 
The Mazda MX-30 e-SKYACTIV R-EV 

• Function: The rotary engine in the MX-30 serves as a generator to recharge the battery and extend the vehicle’s driving range, rather than directly powering the wheels. 
• Benefits: Mazda considers a rotary unit to be well-suited for this role due to its compact size and ability to provide smooth, reliable performance. 
• Market: The Mazda MX-30 e-SKYACTIV R-EV has been introduced in Japan and Europe. 

Why Most Car Manufacturers Don’t Use Rotary Engines

• Emissions and Fuel Economy: Rotary engines historically struggled to meet modern emissions standards and were less fuel-efficient than traditional piston engines. 
• Durability and Complexity: They can also be less durable and more expensive to manufacture than piston engines, making them less attractive to most automakers. 

The Future of Rotary Engines

• Hybrid Technology: Opens in new tabMazda’s strategy is to leverage the advantages of the rotary engine within a hybrid system, where it can operate at a more constant speed for greater efficiency. 
• Potential for Sports Cars: Opens in new tabWhile the current production rotary engine is for range extension, Mazda has also patented concepts for future rear-wheel-drive sports cars that use a rotary engine with hybrid technology. 

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.