Glossary / General

rotaries

10 Episode Mentions

Too Afraid to Ask

“Rotaries” means rotary engines—engines that spin internally instead of using the usual piston up-and-down motion. Mazda used this approach in cars like the RX-7, and it’s a big reason the cars feel different.

Technical Definition

“Rotaries” refers to rotary engines (most famously Mazda’s Wankel design), where the engine spins instead of using pistons moving up and down. That design choice affects how the car makes power and how it feels, which is why people talk about the RX-7’s “story” and character.

Hear It Discussed

"I guess it's probably more of just the time you grew up in the business of when you were using rotaries, it was like whatever one was there, that's the one you were going to use."
Choosing the Right Polisher For You. Plus, Glass Cleaning, PPF, and Much More. Episode #962 Pints and Polishing Auto Detailing Podcast 08:42

"And it was, I'd spent so much money on the rotaries because I was still largely self funded."
Chat with Rally Legend Ed Ordynski Part 2 Car Torque with Matty J 08:23

"You know, we're talking a little bit about rotaries. He's coming from Puerto Rico the other day."
America’s car scene has a problem… Konig - Behind The Wheel Podcast 30:11