Driving the Datsun Rotary

THE DATSUN ROTARY is alive and well and living at Nissan's Murayama test centre where our correspondent Yuki Yamagishi has driven in. He reports:

   "The Nissan rotary has performance characteristics more like those of the NSU Ro80ᵂ than the Mazda RE.
   "It's very smooth right through the range, but lacks useful torque under 1500 rpm. In the five-speed manual coupe I drove, the performance was relatively weak under 4000 rpm. But it really flew from there on up to 7000 rpm where an ignition cut-out device prevents over-revving.

   "I also drove a sedan version with automatic transmission. In this, the performance was a little less spirited overall, but felt more consistent through the range. The automatic tends to compensate for the flexibility aspect. But it, too, displayed some engine-snatch on steady throttle at 2500-3500 rpm."

   "Like NSU, Nissan has opted for peripheral intake ports, as against the side ports favored by Mazda. Nissan also uses the same special iron material as NSU for the apex seals. Similarities to the Mazda engines are found in the use of two distributors, a four-barrel down-draught carburettor, and two spark plubs per rotor. Again like Mazda, Nissan's employ rotors of special cast iron, alloy rotor housings and cast iron end/centre housings.

   The engine is now fitted in 100 models because that is about the size of car the engine will eventually appear in.

   Very significant is the fact that a new agreement has been reached between Nissan and NSU-Auto Union. The original license rights covered automotive engines of 80-120 bhp and permitted marketing in Japan only.

   The new deal enables Nissan to produce Wankels of 20-230 bhp for cars, and marine units of 30-150 bph, while allowing worldwide sales.