description Mazda Rotary Pickup Overview
The Mazda B-Series Rotary Pickup, produced from 1991–1995, uniquely utilized a Wankel rotary engine instead of a traditional piston engine, offering distinctive performance characteristics within the compact truck segment.
help Mazda Rotary Pickup FAQ
When was the Mazda Rotary Pickup made?
The Mazda Rotary Pickup, also called the REPU, was introduced in North America in 1974 and was produced through the late 1970s. It was not a 1991-1995 truck; Mazda's later B-Series pickups used conventional piston engines.
What engine does the Mazda Rotary Pickup use?
The REPU uses Mazda's 13B Wankel rotary engine rather than a conventional piston engine. Period specifications commonly cite approximately 110 horsepower, with the engine producing power smoothly at high revs but less low-speed torque than a large truck engine.
Was the Mazda Rotary Pickup the only Wankel-powered pickup?
It is widely recognized as the first and only mass-produced Wankel-powered pickup truck. Mazda built it from the B-Series platform but gave it the rotary powertrain and distinctive front-end styling.
Why was the rotary engine unusual in a pickup truck?
A rotary engine is compact and smooth, but it typically has high fuel consumption and weaker low-speed torque than a comparable piston engine. Those traits are less convenient for hauling, which helps explain why Mazda did not continue the rotary pickup concept after the REPU era.
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