The Mazda Eunos Cosmo, introduced in 1990, was known for its three-rotor rotary engine, advanced technology, and luxury focus, the Eunos Cosmo occupies a unique place in Mazda’s rotary engine lineup and automotive history. Where the Eunos Cosmo Fits in Mazda’s Rotary Lineup Mazda’s relationship with the rotary engine spans decades, from early experiments to lightweight sports cars and endurance racing. Models like the Cosmo Sport and RX-7 proved the rotary’s performance potential, while...

By the late 1960s, engineers were openly questioning whether the piston engine had reached the end of its evolution. Among the most radical alternatives was the rotary engine, a compact and remarkably smooth design that promised high performance with fewer moving parts. While today the rotary is most closely associated with Mazda, some of the most serious early research took place in Germany, inside an experimental vehicle built by Mercedes-Benz. That vehicle was the Mercedes-Benz C111, a car...

In 1991, while much of the paddock was focused on brand-new cars built to brand-new rules, Mazda arrived with something that looked outdated on paper and radical in reality. The Mazda 787B did not use pistons. It screamed instead of growled. Most people expected it to be interesting. Very few expected it to win. Twenty-four hours later, Mazda had claimed overall victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, becoming the first Japanese manufacturer to do so and the only one to ever win the race with a...