Wankel euphoria at General Motors
08/24/2011
In 1973, General Motors presented a prototype with a Wankel engine at the IAA in Frankfurt. The elegant coupé had the twin-disc Wankel installed as a mid-engine and featured a Corvette-like silhouette.
The Wankel investments were based on a license agreement concluded in 1970 between GM, Curtiss-Wright, Audi NSU and Wankel GmbH.
General Motors was serious. As early as 1975, a production vehicle with Wankel drive - GM spoke of GMRE for General Motors Rotary Engine - was to be launched on the market. And all new designs in the direction of reciprocating piston engines had supposedly been abandoned at GM in 1973.
The "master plan" was also impressive:
- In August 1974, a Chevrolet Vega 2+2 Coupé with a twin-disc engine was to be presented.
- A front-wheel drive Chevrolet van with a twin-disc Wankel engine was expected in September 1975
- The presentation of a new Chevrolet Corvette with a three- or four-disc Wankel engine was announced for October 1975
- And in September, completely redesigned passenger cars were to be launched under the Chevrolet, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Buick and Cadillac brands with two-disc engines and front-wheel drive.
- Subsequently, the entire conventional engine range was to be gradually replaced by Wankel engines.
Truly a bold plan! And as we know today, it was never implemented.
But back to the IAA 1973 trade fair sensation, which did indeed exist and featured the following remarkable details:
- Twin-disc GM Wankel lying transversely behind the seats, output around 175 DIN hp
- Power transmission via three-speed automatic gearbox
- Chassis with independent front and rear suspension, rack and pinion steering
- Self-supporting body (the prototype was built by Pininfarina), deformable bumpers, retractable windshield wipers, doors with side protection
- Interior with seat belt anchors firmly attached to the seats, adjustable steering wheel and pedals
- Dimensions: Length/width/height 419/166/110 cm, wheelbase 229 cm.
