The Washington Times
  • Subscribe
  • Times News Services
  • RSS
  • Mobile Headlines
  • e-edition
  • E-MAIL ALERTS
  • REGISTER
  • LOG IN
  • E-MAIL ALERTS
  • WELCOME
  • Your Profile
  • Log Out
  • Front Page Image
  • Classifieds
  • Autos
  • Real Estate
  • Jobs
  • Special Sections
  • Customer Service
  • Home
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Sports
    • NFL
    • NBA/WNBA
    • MLB
    • NHL
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • Motorsports
    • Soccer
    • NCAA
    • Olympics
    • Outdoors
    • Other
  • Culture
    • Home & Living
    • Family & Kids
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Health
    • Washington Visitors
    • Books
    • Military History
    • Life
    • Auto
    • TV Listings
    • Movie Listings
    • Death Notices
    • Entertainment
  • Themes
  • Communities
  • Marketplace
    • Autos
    • Jobs
    • Real Estate
    • Classifieds
    • Shopping
    • Dining Out
    • Education
    • TWT Store
  • Videos
    • Two Guys
    • Birnbaum on Washington
    • Liz Glover
    • Amanda Carpenter
    • Morning Briefing
    • Documentaries
    • Joe Giganti
    • Video Game Minute
  • Podcasts
    • About Headlines
    • Audio and Radio
    • America's Morning News
  • National

    DAVIS: Yankee hater finds love for team

  • National

    Late-season hurricane heads toward Gulf

  • Politics

    Abortion takes driver's seat in debate

  • Sports

    Redskins still going south

  • World

    Democracy a struggle in former Soviet Union

  • Politics

    Roadblock to greet health bill in Senate

  • Politics

    Lieberman vows probe of Hood rampage

Home » Culture » Automotive

Friday, July 11, 2008

Perfected rotary engine powers Mazda's RX-8

Rate this story

Average 0.00
after 0 votes
Login or register to rate this story

  • Font Size -+
  • Print
  • Email
  • Comment
  • Tweet this!
  • Share
  • Article
  • Comments ()
  • Click-2-Listen
  • Videos
Please stand by, images loading!
  • The RX-8 has a trunk that's big enough to hold two golf bags.
  • Mazda has perfected the rotary engine that propels the 40th anniversary edition of the RX-8. In the background is a 1967 Cosmo.
  • The Mazda RX-8 has a 1.3-liter twin-rotor engine that generates 232 horsepower.

More Automotive Stories

  • Dodge Challenger taps into nostalgia
  • Taking a drive down memory lane
  • Manual an option for 2010 Acura TL
  • GM highlights progress of business plan

By Nick Yost SPECIAL TO THE WASHINGTON TIMES

It was called the Mazda Cosmo Sport and it was a landmark vehicle in the innovative history of the Japanese auto manufacturer. If it means nothing to you, that's perfectly understandable.

Introduced in 1967, the two-seat Cosmo Sport was never sold in the United States but it secured its place in the automotive industry as the first production car from Mazda that was powered by the unique rotary engine.

Its significance to American enthusiasts became apparent 11 years later when the rotary-powered Mazda RX-7 sports car was introduced in the United States and quickly captured their attention because of its rev-happy engine, light weight and excellent balance.

To celebrate the successful application of the rotary engine to its sports cars, Mazda - now a part of the Ford Motor Co. - has introduced a special 40th anniversary edition of its unique RX-8.

To be fair, the rotary engine was the invention of Felix Wankel, a German mechanical engineer who worked for many years to perfect the powerplant but never was able to achieve the required reliability. Mazda acquired the rights to it in 1961, solved the inherent problems with rotary power and has been producing and perfecting the engine for use in its sports cars ever since.

Upgrades to the RX-8 anniversary edition are mostly cosmetic - badges, high-gloss 18-inch wheels, dark gray exterior paint, red leather upholstery - but Mazda has tweaked the car slightly to improve ride and handling.

Even a short drive in this RX-8 shows the original thrill has survived and thrives in a uniquely styled car that is considerably more practical than the original.

With its somewhat bulbous roof, sharply arched fenders and two forward-opening small rear doors, it cuts a figure like no other sports car.

But there's a method behind this seeming eccentricity.

Not only is it possible for two adults to gain relatively easy entry to the rear seats, they will actually be reasonably comfortable over the short haul if front-seat passengers cooperate by keeping their seats forward a bit.

[Get Copyright Permissions] Click here for reprint permissions!
Copyright 2009 The Washington Times, LLC

123Next »

Post a comment

There are comments on this article, submit your opinion!

Please login or register to post a comment

Ask a Question

You Report

Do you have another point of view, photos, audio, video or more information about a story?

Top Stories

Most Read

  1. EXCLUSIVE: Rare virus poses new threat to troops
  2. Parents buying homes for kids at college
  3. EDITORIAL: Too scared to recognize terrorism
  4. House OKs health reform bill
  5. Inside the Beltway
More Top Stories »
  1. Sniper's ex-wife speaks out on abuse
  2. Annandale man killed in hit-and-run
  3. Aborted fetus cells used in beauty creams
  4. Sunshine vitamin stirs new debate
  5. PRUDEN: Corpse sits up, gets nice salute

Most Shared

  1. Parents buying homes for kids at college
  2. EXCLUSIVE: Rare virus poses new threat to troops
  3. EDITORIAL: Too scared to recognize terrorism
  4. Sunshine vitamin stirs new debate
  5. Obama's unlearned lesson
More Top Stories »
  1. NSA surveillance -- of you?
  2. EDITORIAL: The negative Obama factor
  3. PRUDEN: Corpse sits up, gets nice salute
  4. Aborted fetus cells used in beauty creams
  5. Israelis unsure of U.S. support

Most Commented

  1. House OKs health reform bill
  2. EDITORIAL: Too scared to recognize terrorism
  3. Muslims stunned by Fort Hood shooting
  4. Furious scramble for health reform support
  5. 'Gentle' Army psychiatrist displayed worrisome signs
More Top Stories »
  1. Army chief wary of backlash against Muslim soldiers
  2. Obama praises those who ended Fort Hood violence
  3. Making fun of faith
  4. Israelis unsure of U.S. support
  5. Obama: It's Senate's turn on health care

Listen to Washington Times Radio

  • America's Morning News

    with John McCaslin and Melanie Morgan

Question of the day

Do you think the health reform bill will pass?

Blogs & Columns

  • POTUS Notes

    New Dem talking point on Obama approval doesn't wash

  • The Back Story

    12 arrested at Pelosi's office

  • Belief Blog

    Washington goes Greek this week

  • Out of Context

    Foods that might kill libido

  • Technology

    Facebook wins round against phishing spammer

  • On the Fly

    United lifts some 'award' blocking

  • Redskins 360

    Samuels feeling better, hopeful

  • Tara's Two Cents

    On their way to summer vacation..

  • SNOBlog

    Beyond 'Woody'

Videos

Advertising Links
TWT Store
  • e-edition
  • Print Edition
  • Weekly Washington Times
TWT Affiliates
  • Middle East Times
  • Golf
  • UPI
  • Arbor Ballroom
  • Washington Times Global
  • About TWT
  • Press Room
  • F.A.Q.
  • Work for TWT
  • Advertise
  • Sponsors
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Site Map

All site contents © Copyright 2009 The Washington Times, LLC.