- Changan is developing a new rotary engine called the R05E.
- The new engine will be used specifically for the ‘low-altitude economy’.
- It produces 71 hp and speeds up to 6,500 rpm.
- Production will start in 2027.
The Wankel rotary engine is the stuff of legends: a compact, powerful, ultra-smooth engine with a single triangular rotor at its heart. Mazda is of course a pioneer of the Wankel engine, using it in cars like the Cosmo, the RX-7 and the 787B race car. But this new rotary engine doesn’t come from Mazda; like most technological breakthroughs lately, this one comes from China.
A company called Changan has developed a new rotary engine, according to reports AutoNewsChina. It’s called the R05E and is the very first high-performance rotary engine developed in the region. The project was originally announced on April 9 in partnership with mobility company AVL, but the first working prototype debuted on December 19. Production will start sometime in 2027.
Built for heaven
We regret to report that this new rotary engine is not intended for road cars. Instead, Changan plans to use this new engine in the “low-altitude economy” – things like drones, eVTOLs (electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft), and perhaps one day flying cars, all operating below 1,000 meters (about 3,300 feet). China predicts its low-level economy will be worth as much as ¥3.5 trillion ($490 billion) by 2035.
So why a rotary and not an electric powertrain like the one proposed by Hyundai and Toyota for their eVTOL projects? According to Changan, the rotary engine is smoother, smaller, quieter and offers a better power-to-weight ratio than other gasoline engines – and even some electric setups. The R05E engine reportedly produces 71 hp and can reach a speed of 6,500 rpm, but a more powerful version is still in the works.
The R05E uses a die-cast aluminum housing with an anti-friction nanodiamond composite (NDC) coating to reduce energy loss. A single triangular rotor with curved edge is combined with a low-mass eccentric shaft and a balance system designed for stability in flight.
What’s interesting is that Changan – one of China’s ‘big four’ automakers alongside Dongfeng, FAW and SAIC – has a strategic partnership with Mazda in China. Changan helps the Japanese automaker launch vehicles like the EZ-6 sedan and EZ-60 SUV. But according to Changan, Mazda was not involved in the development of this specific rotary engine.
Could this rotary car potentially become a production car? It’s unclear. The engine’s small size and power mean it could theoretically make sense as a range extender, but Changan hasn’t said whether he plans to use the engine in a production car.
I hope even some of that technology trickles down to Mazda’s model range.
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