Mazda R100

1968-1973

The Wankel powered R100 first broke cover in 1967 at the Tokyo Motor Show as the RX-88 – the RX prefix signifying Rotary Experimental. Based on the Mazda 1200, this rotary powered medium sized family saloon went on sale in Japan the following year as the Familia Rotary and for export markets the car was rebadged as the Mazda R100.

Power came from the same 10A-series twin rotor Wankel engine used in the 0813-powered Cosmo. The R100’s 0813 engine had two inlet ports per rotor, with the quad barrelled carburettor only fuelling one port per rotor under light throttle loadings. In 1973 Mazda replaced the rotary powered R100 with a revised model powered by a conventional 1.2-litre piston engine.