Rotary Engine Sports Car Clocks Up its First 2,700 miles

From the moment Advanced Innovative Engineering (UK) Ltd received grant support from the Niche Vehicle Network to collaboratively develop a low carbon, rotary engine sports car, the venture has progressed rapidly.

The NVN project enabled AIE (UK) Ltd to utilise their expertise with innovative rotary engine development by joining forces with the popular British open-top sports car manufacturer, Westfield Sportscars, as well as ultra-light vehicle structure specialists, Axon Automotives. The objective of the project is to develop a niche rotary engine sports car capable of delivering high performance with improved fuel efficiency and reduced carbon emissions.

In order to achieve such a feat, AIE developed the 650S Wankel rotary engine; a 28kg 120bhp single rotor engine from clean-sheet design concept to metal in just 6 months, demonstrating their holistic approach to radical engine downsizing.

The new fuel efficient engine which features AIE’s patented SPARCS cooled technology to improve thermal balancing and drastically reduce oil consumption, is in its final development stages; but this hasn’t stopped the 650S rotary engine from already ‘clocking up the miles’.

Integrated within a full size Westfield sportscar prototype, the compact 650S rotary engine (which takes up a mere 50% volume of the engine space) has already travelled an approximate 2,700 miles (4345 km) across Europe and Britain; visiting prestigious exhibition events in Paris, Stuttgart Germany, Liverpool, the Williams F1 Centre and Goodwood’s Festival of Speed in Chichester.

The remarkable nature of the NVN project involving a rotary engine as a low carbon powertrain has made the Westfield sportscar a popular feature in many exhibition events. With AIE patented technology designed to deliver strong performance with improved fuel efficiency and environmental advancements, the Niche Vehicle rotary engine sports car project is sure to make waves following the next phase of the project; its driveability and emission testing, ready for its ride and drive debut.

To find out exactly how the lightweight rotary engine sports car fairs on the track, connect with AIE (UK) Ltd today by joining us on Twitter, or LinkedIn.