Which car uses a rotary engine today — and who used it before?

Today, the only new production car using a rotary engine is the Mazda MX-30 e‑Skyactiv R‑EV, where a compact single-rotor engine serves as a generator for a plug-in hybrid system rather than driving the wheels directly. Historically, several notable models—from the Mazda RX-7 and RX-8 to the NSU Ro 80 and Citroën GS Birotor—used rotary (Wankel) engines for propulsion, but emissions and efficiency challenges pushed most automakers away from the design.

What’s on sale now

Mazda reintroduced the rotary in 2023 as a range extender in the MX-30 e‑Skyactiv R‑EV, sold in select European markets and Japan. In this series plug-in hybrid, the rotary doesn’t power the wheels; it runs at optimal speeds to generate electricity, which improves refinement and packaging while sidestepping the rotary’s historical weaknesses in stop-start driving. The U.S. does not currently offer the R‑EV version.

Here’s a quick snapshot of how the MX‑30 R‑EV is set up and where it’s available:

• Powertrain: a compact, single‑rotor petrol engine acts solely as a generator; an electric motor drives the front wheels.
• Battery: roughly 17.8 kWh usable capacity, enabling daily electric-only commuting for many drivers; supports AC and DC fast charging.
• Range: approximately 85 km (about 53 miles) electric-only on the WLTP cycle; total driving range extends into the hundreds of kilometers when the rotary generator is used.
• Markets: on sale in Europe and Japan; not offered in the United States.
• Status: first deliveries began in 2023; as of 2025 it remains available in select regions.

Taken together, the MX‑30 R‑EV demonstrates a modern, pragmatic use of the rotary: small, smooth, and efficient at steady loads—exactly the kind of duty cycle that suits a generator.

How rotary engines work

A rotary (Wankel) engine replaces pistons with a triangular rotor spinning inside an oval-like housing, completing intake, compression, combustion, and exhaust as it turns. With fewer moving parts, the layout is compact, smooth, and capable of high revs. But the design has long struggled with fuel economy, hydrocarbon emissions, and sealing (apex seal) durability—issues that became tougher to meet under modern regulations.

The design brings distinctive advantages and trade-offs:

• Compact size and low mass relative to output, aiding packaging and weight distribution.
• Smooth operation with fewer moving parts and a high-revving character prized by enthusiasts.
• Less favorable real‑world fuel economy and higher oil consumption compared with typical piston engines.
• Challenging emissions performance, particularly unburned hydrocarbons at low loads.
• Best suited to steady-speed operation—making it a natural fit as a series-hybrid range extender.

This balance explains why modern rotaries have shifted from direct propulsion to generator roles, where they can run at the sweet spot for efficiency and emissions control.

Historic cars that used rotary engines

Rotary engines enjoyed a burst of popularity from the 1960s through the early 2000s, led by NSU, Citroën, and especially Mazda. Below are some of the most notable road and racing applications.

• NSU Spider (1964–1967): the first production car with a Wankel rotary.
• NSU Ro 80 (1967–1977): innovative sedan known for its smooth rotary and aerodynamic design.
• Mazda Cosmo Sport/110S (1967–1972): Mazda’s pioneering rotary sports coupe.
• Mazda RX series: RX‑2/Capella Rotary, RX‑3, RX‑4, and Luce Rotary (1970s), cementing Mazda’s rotary identity.
• Mazda RX‑7 (1978–2002): three generations (SA/FB, FC, FD) of lightweight, high‑revving sports cars.
• Mazda RX‑8 (2003–2012): four‑door coupe with “freestyle” rear doors; the last rotary-powered sports car on sale.
• Citroën M35 (1969–1971, pilot program) and GS Birotor (1973–1975): French attempts at mainstream rotary motoring.
• Mercedes‑Benz C111 prototypes (late 1960s–early 1970s): experimental rotaries later swapped for diesels.
• VAZ/Lada rotary specials (1970s–1990s): limited‑production models in the USSR for police and state services.
• Mazda 787B (1991): four‑rotor Le Mans winner; still the only rotary-powered car to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans overall.

While these cars showcased the rotary’s compactness and character, they also exposed durability and emissions challenges that ultimately limited widespread adoption.

What isn’t available now

Are there any rotary sports cars in showrooms?

No. Mazda ended RX‑8 production in 2012, and there’s no rotary sports car on sale today. The MX‑30 R‑EV uses a rotary strictly as a generator.

Is a new rotary sports car coming?

Mazda has teased the idea—most recently with the Iconic SP concept (2023), which paired a two‑rotor generator with an electrified platform—but as of 2025, no production program has been announced.

Why is it called a “Wankel” engine?

It’s named after German engineer Felix Wankel, who developed the design that NSU first commercialized and Mazda later popularized.

Bottom line

If you’re looking for a new car that uses a rotary engine today, your option is the Mazda MX‑30 e‑Skyactiv R‑EV—and in that model, the rotary serves as a compact, smooth generator for a plug‑in hybrid system. For rotary propulsion purists, the icons remain used examples of the RX‑7 and RX‑8, along with classics like the NSU Ro 80 and the Mazda Cosmo.

Why were rotary engines banned?

The rotary has never been explicitly banned, the alignment to F1 was the only reason it wasn’t allowed, much like many of the piston engines that had been racing at the time were no longer allowed.

What car has a rotary engine?

Mazda is most strongly associated with the rotary (Wankel) engine, powering iconic cars like the RX-7 and RX-8. However, other manufacturers also used them, including the NSU Ro80, Citroën GS, and Chevrolet (in the Aerovette concept). Mazda is reviving the rotary engine for use in hybrids, such as the Mazda MX-30 as a range extender, and may introduce a hybrid sports car soon.
 
Manufacturers and Models

• Mazda:
  • RX-7 and RX-8: These iconic sports cars were famous for their rotary engines and performance. 
  • MX-30: Mazda currently uses a single-rotor engine as a range extender in the MX-30 electric hybrid. 
  • Other models: Mazda also produced other rotary-powered vehicles, including the Cosmo, R100, and various RX models. 
• NSU:
  • Ro80: This German manufacturer produced an advanced family car with a rotary engine. 
• Citroën:
  • GS Birotor: A classic French car that also featured a rotary engine. 
• Chevrolet:
  • Aerovette: A concept car from the 1970s that was planned to use a four-rotor rotary engine. 

How a Rotary Engine Works 

• Triangular rotor: Instead of pistons, a rotary engine uses a triangular-shaped rotor that spins inside an oval-shaped housing to create power.
• Smooth operation: This design eliminates the jerky motion of pistons, resulting in smooth power delivery.
• Compact size: Rotary engines are compact and can produce power comparable to larger piston engines, contributing to the lightness and performance of rotary-powered cars.

Challenges and Revival

• Fuel efficiency and emissions: Historically, rotary engines have struggled with poor fuel efficiency and higher emissions, making them difficult to meet modern standards. 
• Reliability: Some early models faced reliability issues, though Mazda’s engineers have made progress in improving these aspects over time. 
• Hybrid applications: Mazda is addressing these challenges by using the rotary engine in hybrid vehicles, where it can operate at a steady RPM to improve efficiency and reliability, primarily as a generator to recharge the battery. 

Do any cars still use Wankel engines?

The first Wankel-engined car for sale was the 1964 NSU Spider. Wankel engines were continuously fitted in cars until 2012, when Mazda discontinued the RX-8. Mazda later introduced a Wankel-engined hybrid electric car, the MX-30 R-EV, in 2023.

What is special about a rotary engine?

The main difference is that a rotary (Wankel) engine uses a triangular rotor that spins within a housing to generate power, while a traditional piston engine uses pistons that move up and down in cylinders to create rotational motion. Rotary engines are generally more compact, lighter, smoother, and capable of higher RPMs, but they often have poor fuel economy, higher emissions, and can be prone to oil leaks and seal failures.
 
Rotary Engine (Wankel Engine)

• Mechanism: A triangular rotor spins inside a specially shaped housing. 
• Key Advantage: Fewer moving parts (often just three main components) leading to a lighter, more compact, and smoother-running engine. 
• Operation: The rotor’s movement creates a continuous cycle of intake, compression, ignition, and exhaust within the housing’s separate chambers. 
• High-Performance Aspects: Excellent power-to-weight ratio, higher RPM capability, and smooth operation due to parts rotating in the same direction. 
• Drawbacks: Lower thermal efficiency, poor fuel economy, higher emissions, and a tendency to burn oil and suffer from worn apex seals. 

Piston Engine

• Mechanism: Pistons move up and down within cylinders, connected to a crankshaft by a connecting rod. 
• Key Advantage: More established technology with better fuel efficiency and emissions control compared to rotary engines. 
• Operation: A four-stage process (intake, compression, ignition, exhaust) where each stage occurs in the same cylinder. 
• Characteristics: More complex with many moving parts, leading to more vibration and a lower RPM range compared to rotary engines. 
• Advantages: Higher compression, better sealing, and generally more reliable with less frequent need for rebuilds.