The Audi museum mobile Ingolstadt is showing an exciting piece of technological history in its new special exhibition "Revolution - 60 years of the NSU/Wankel engine". The occasion is the 60th anniversary of the then revolutionary engine concept based on the rotary principle. Audi's predecessor brand NSU was an early adopter of the new technology with cars such as the "Prinz 3" prototype. The exhibition shows this and other NSU models with Wankel engines from May 20 to November 5, 2017. In addition, boat, aircraft and motorcycle engines as well as lawnmowers and chainsaws from various manufacturers illustrate the eventful history of this progressive technology.
"Turning instead of pitching" - this idea of a combustion engine with rotating pistons fascinated Felix Wankel from the late 1920s onwards. It took more than 30 years to develop the concept to production maturity. In the course of his research work, Wankel became a sealing specialist, always keeping his goal of a rotary piston engine in mind. The methodical analysis of possible rotor and housing combinations led Wankel to the discovery of a rotating pointed oval in a simultaneously rotating, almost circular envelope at the end of 1953. The principle aroused the interest of the NSU management.
In March 1954, Wankel designed the basic shape of the engine that would later be named after him. Three years later, on February 1, 1957, this engine ran under its own power for the first time on a test bench at NSU-Werke. Hence the anniversary.
First production car with Wankel engine in 1963
In Neckarsulm, the team led by Dr. Walter Froede, head of the NSU development department, simplified the technically complicated structure with two components rotating inside each other. The kinematically inverted rotary piston engine was used in series production for the first time in 1962 in the so-called "Ski-Craft". The towing device for water skiers can be seen in the exhibition at the Audi museum mobile.
Just one year later, in September 1963, the NSU/Wankel Spider celebrated its premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show. This world's first production car with an NSU/Wankel engine fueled the rotary piston euphoria. In the following years, almost all well-known manufacturers of automobiles, two-wheelers or engines were among the large circle of NSU/Wankel licensees.
Prototypes and milestones
In addition to the NSU/Wankel Spider, visitors to the "Revolution - 60 years of the NSU/Wankel engine" exhibition can expect to see other exhibits such as the first NSU "Prinz 3" Wankel prototype from 1959 and the NSU Ro 80. This model won the title of Car of the Year in 1967 with its innovative technology and timeless design.
Two Audi models are also on display: The Audi 200 KKM prototype from 1979 and an Audi A1 e-tron from 2012. The Italdesign Namir sports car from 2009 is a real eye-catcher. Other highlights include the Mazda Cosmo 110S, a Citroën M35 and the Malibu Virage racing car.
Not just cars
In addition to cars, the Wankel engine was also used in ski scooters, fire engines, chainsaws, motorboats and motorcycles. The exhibition shows a range of these products as well as stationary engines and cutaway models.
Always open
The Audi museum mobile is open daily from 9 am to 6 pm. New opening hours apply from June 1: Monday to Friday, from 9am to 6pm, on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 10am to 4pm.
Further information can be found on the Audi Museum website.
