The rotary engine is one of the flagship technologies of the Mazda brand. In the 1960s, the Japanese manufacturer decided to equip its B Series pick-up with this type of mechanics, giving life to the first pick-up on the market to use a rotary engine.
Mazda launched the B Series on the market in 1961. The Japanese manufacturer bet without complexes on pick-ups. A model that traveled a long commercial journey. A story that was completed in 2006 after the development of no more and no less than five generations. Throughout all these years a whole series of variants and/or versions were introduced. Among them, there was one that generated a lot of interest.
On 1974 the Mazda B Series became the first rotary engine pick-up. The so-called “Rotary Engine Pick-up (REPU)” can claim to be the first model in its class with a Wankel engine. The presence of this motorization in the B Series is not something particularly well-known since Mazda’s rotary engine is associated with RX sports cars.
The history of the Wankel-powered Mazda B-Series
The B Series with a rotary engine was a model specially designed for the North American market and more specifically for the United States and Canada. It was available until the year 1977. For as long as it was available just over 15,000 units were sold. Most of the specimens were recorded on the East Coast of the United States territory. The selling price was $3,500 (€3,165), about $20,100 (€18,170) today.
Compared to other Mazda pickups designed at the time, it had a different exterior with wheel arches, a front grille, and four round taillights. However, and beyond its exterior appearance and equipment, the main key was under the hood. A 1.3-liter 13B engine that developed a power of just over 100 hp. The engine was mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. The power was sent to the rear axle.
The low sales figures, added to the high fuel consumption and the energy crisis experienced at that time practically forced Mazda to put an end to the commercial journey of the first pick-up on the market with a rotary engine. This model hit dealerships at the worst possible time. In addition, many fans of this type of vehicle did not understand the choice of said engine by Mazda.
The drawbacks of a rotary engine pick-up
Mazda’s rotary engine offers plenty of driving fun. And the proof is that it has been one of the hallmarks of the Japanese company and that, as has been well commented, it was key in the development of the RX sports line. Now, it has its own disadvantages when using it in a pick-up.
The way in which the rotary engine delivers power does not particularly benefit the transport of heavy objects or directly the towing of merchandise. In addition, we must add the factor of reliability. The Wankel engine requires pampering and specific attention, something that does not fit with the lifestyle and use to which pick-ups are oriented. They are vehicles that must offer great robustness and reliability.
Source: auto fun