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In the world of automobiles, few innovations have sparked as much fascination and passion as the rotary engine. The story of the rotary engine dates back to 1957 when Felix Wankel presented the first prototype. Three years later, it captured the attention of Mazda, and the journey towards rotary greatness began.
Mazda's engineers embarked on a mission to refine and perfect this unconventional engine design. The early days were filled with challenges, from addressing oil consumption issues to dealing with chatter marks in the engine housing. By 1963, Mazda unveiled the first Cosmo prototype at the Tokyo Motor Show, powered by a 798 cc twin-rotor engine.
The Series I Cosmo that eventually made it into production featured an upgraded 10A unit with a displacement of 982 cc, producing a maximum of 110 horsepower. This marked the beginning of Mazda's relentless pursuit of rotary excellence. While other manufacturers dabbled with rotary engines, Mazda became the torchbearer, releasing various rotary-powered vehicles and continuously improving the technology.
In the 1970s, Mazda introduced iconic rotary-powered cars like the RX-2, RX-3, RX-4, and the legendary RX-7. Notably, both the second and third-generation Cosmos offered customers the choice between piston and rotary engines. In 1982, the 12A-turbo-powered Cosmo claimed the title of the fastest production car in Japan until being surpassed by the 1983 R30 Skyline 2000 Turbo RS. By 1990, the FC RX-7, with its turbocharged 13B engine delivering approximately 200 horsepower, was nearing the end of its journey.
However, Mazda had a vision that had been germinating since the introduction of the MX-03 concept in 1985. They aspired to create a vehicle powered not by one or two, but three rotary rotors, and to add an extra layer of excitement, they decided to turbocharge it. The result was the launch of the Eunos Cosmo in 1990, a luxurious Grand Tourer poised to challenge the Toyota Soarer.
The Eunos Cosmo emerged as the first production vehicle to feature a triple-rotor 20B engine. Notably, it was also the first Japanese car to employ a twin-sequential turbo system on both its 13B and 20B engines. While less than 9,000 JC Series Cosmos were crafted, the 20B Cosmo, the Holy Grail of the rotary world, graced us with fewer than 4,000 examples from the factory.
The heart of the Eunos Cosmo was its 1,962 cc 20B engine, packing a punch of 300 horsepower and 297 lb-ft of torque. Surprisingly, this powerhouse remained pleasantly quiet during everyday driving, delivering a smooth and luxurious ride. It also made history by becoming the world's first production car equipped with a built-in GPS navigation system, this car was a testament to Mazda's commitment to innovation.
For rotary enthusiasts, the dream setup often involves a 4-rotor engine akin to the legendary Mazda 787B LeMans race car. However, the 20B engine, while more attainable for financial reasons, is no less thrilling. Some may prefer it without turbos, while others opt for a single turbo, but many find the stock 20B engine to be perfection. And you actually see many RX7’s out there with a 20b swap out there. You see the added torque from the extra rotor makes it an amazing powerplant.
Even in its stock form, the Eunos Cosmo demonstrated impressive performance, sprinting through the quarter-mile in under 14 seconds. And remember this wasn’t a performance car, it was a GT, and This luxury GT car also showcased the true potential of the rotary engine, as demonstrated by renowned racer Keiichi Tsuchiya's drifting feats.
Encountering a JC Series Eunos Cosmo in the wild is a rare occurrence, given that fewer than 4,000 were ever built. Today, these gems are sought after by collectors and enthusiasts alike. Interestingly, you might find a 20B Cosmo for a price comparable to an FD RX-7. Last year, one was sold for just $13,752, making this rotary legend an achievable dream for those who dare to embrace its legacy. However, expect to budget at least $25,000 to secure this piece of rotary history in today's market.
#Rotary #3rotor #JDM
8 ноя 2023
