RE: Eunos Cosmo 20B Type S: Spotted

RE: Eunos Cosmo 20B Type S: Spotted

Tuesday 18th August 2015

Eunos Cosmo 20B Type S: Spotted

Unique triple-rotor Wankel engine and seal of approval from LJK Setright for super-rare Mazda coupe



At the UK Mazda MX-5 launch event earlier this month, Mazda brought along a very cool bit of kit: an original 1960s Cosmo (its first-ever sports car) which it's currently restoring. Historic as the world's first ever twin-rotor Wankel-engined car, it's worth perhaps £150,000 in today's market.
Original Cosmo is now a six-figure classic
Original Cosmo is now a six-figure classic

Now another historic, little-known Mazda Cosmo has popped up. It's a 1990 Eunos Cosmo 20B - the world's first and only car with a three-rotor Wankel engine. If you fancy a car that LJK Setright once said could be the best in the world, it can be yours. [Actually you can't because between us being tipped off about the car and writing the story it sold. But it's too cool not to run the story anyway! - Ed.]

Trick triple
So what the hell is a Eunos Cosmo? This was Mazda's absolute range-topper in the early 1990s, a sports/luxury grand tourer that showcased all of Mazda's advanced tech at the time.

Only ever sold in Japan, it was badged as a Eunos, the same Mazda sub-brand that brought you the Roadster (MX-5) and Presso (MX-3). It's rare: just 8,853 Cosmos were built, of which 3,937 were triple-rotor 20B models (the remainder had 13B twin-rotor engines, as per the Mazda RX-7).

Mazda's Skyline alternative a genuine rarity
Mazda's Skyline alternative a genuine rarity
When I drove a 20B back in 1994, I remember feeling overawed by its powerplant. Not only was it uncannily smooth, especially at high revs where it loves to be, but its sound is one I'll never forget: like a hurricane blowing through a narrow window gap. A touch of Le Mans glory, perhaps, and there's still no other road engine remotely like it.

The power output is officially 280hp, but that was by the standards of Japan's 'gentleman's agreement' era - the real figure is more likely around 320hp. Expect 0-62mph in 6.2 seconds and a top speed (with the JDM speed limiter removed) of over 150mph.

Sporty or luxurious?
This is a Type S version, the 'sporty' one with firmer suspension settings and fabric trim (there were plusher Type E and Type ECCS models, too, the 'Elegant Car Control System' packing leather trim, fancy hi-fi, on-board TV and - very advanced for 1990 - a sat-nav in the dashboard). Don't you love the look and feel of that wraparound dash?

Slushbox indicates intended use
Slushbox indicates intended use
A sophisticated spec includes variable power steering and a multi-link rear with quad dampers. But there's no escaping the fact that the Cosmo is designed as a grand tourer, not a sports car. It was only ever available with a four-speed auto, and I recall it being a pretty floaty thing around bends.

One thing I'm sure about: the ad's claim that Mazda rotary engines have "reasonable fuel economy" is wide of the mark. When I was looking at buying a 20B a few years back, I asked one owner what his 20B was averaging and he replied "about 9mpg." Gulp.

Rare
Cosmo 20Bs are becoming increasingly rare, as large numbers have been cannibalised for engine transplants into RX-7s. This Cosmo is very original, except for the wheels, which are period Rays 18-inch forged alloys - the correct ones should be 16x7 six-spoke alloys with 225/50 R16 Potenzas. The original owners' manual has usefully been translated into English, but the exotic nature of the 20B is not so much of a worry: there are several UK rotary specialists familiar with 20Bs.

A geunine JDM rarity, gone to a good home
A geunine JDM rarity, gone to a good home

Originally imported in October 2009, it's described as "a superb car to drive, fast and indescribably smooth." For rotary aficionados, the 20B is definitely the holy grail, and becoming a very rare sight.

One final thought: if you thought rotary engines died with the RX-8, think again. Mazda says it's still working on rotary tech, and we're told a new MX-5 based RX-7 could be here by 2020...


EUNOS COSMO 20B
Engine
: 1,952cc 3-rotor Wankel (equivalent to 3,904cc)
Transmission: 4-speed automatic
Power (hp): 280@6,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 296@3,000rpm
MPG: 12 (est)
CO2: N/A
First registered: 1990
Recorded mileage: 51,000
Price new: c£50,000
Yours for: Sold

See the original ad here.

Author
Discussion

whythem

Original Poster:

773 posts

176 months

Tuesday 18th August 2015
quotequote all
Very cool looking car in the flesh, apparently a favourite among the Japanese Yakuza of the 90's and that soundsmile

MIP1983

210 posts

204 months

Tuesday 18th August 2015
quotequote all
Images apart from the main one broken for me.

LukeR94

2,218 posts

140 months

Tuesday 18th August 2015
quotequote all
As im reading this, it makes me wonder why this car, which seems to tick all the boxes hasnt become a cult classic like the Supra, or the Soarer, Rx7, Skyline, Chaser etc.

Then I read, "It was only ever available with a 4 speed Auto" That combined with the low numbers made probably cemented this as the 90's Turbo coupe no one has heard of. Love the car, engine is a superb sounding thing, rare. Whats not to like.


LittleEnus

3,218 posts

173 months

Tuesday 18th August 2015
quotequote all
Very sexy looking car. What's not to like is the fuel economy. I don't believe all the 'gentelman's agreement' on power- more likely 280bhp.

FD3Si

857 posts

143 months

abarber

1,686 posts

240 months

Tuesday 18th August 2015
quotequote all
FD3Si said:
Wow, what a sound!

FD3Si

857 posts

143 months

Tuesday 18th August 2015
quotequote all
abarber said:
Wow, what a sound!
TBH that's cheating a bit as it's NA on ITBS. A stock JC cosmo doesn't sound the same as it runs sequential turbos.
However, the engines are wonderful things. Smooth, torquey (yeah, you heard, a torquey rotary...) and magnificent sounding.
Mental spaceship interiors as well. I just can't get over the early 90's styling enough to want one!

300bhp/ton

41,030 posts

189 months

Tuesday 18th August 2015
quotequote all
LukeR94 said:
As im reading this, it makes me wonder why this car, which seems to tick all the boxes hasnt become a cult classic like the Supra, or the Soarer, Rx7, Skyline, Chaser etc.

Then I read, "It was only ever available with a 4 speed Auto" That combined with the low numbers made probably cemented this as the 90's Turbo coupe no one has heard of. Love the car, engine is a superb sounding thing, rare. Whats not to like.
I guess the funny thing is, while so many cool coupes are shunned for being auto only. That seems the complete trend today for so many performance cars.

daytona365

1,773 posts

163 months

Tuesday 18th August 2015
quotequote all
Seems European classics have been hyped up to their maximum, so let's now start hyping old Japanese cars comes to mind. Though if you look, they did make some truly great machinery......R32 anyone ?!

Strawman

6,463 posts

206 months

Tuesday 18th August 2015
quotequote all
How much was it up for?

daytona365

1,773 posts

163 months

Tuesday 18th August 2015
quotequote all
10 million quid.

LukeR94

2,218 posts

140 months

Tuesday 18th August 2015
quotequote all
Strawman said:
How much was it up for?
Before it was edited 10k

Strawman

6,463 posts

206 months

Tuesday 18th August 2015
quotequote all
daytona365 said:
10 million quid.
No wonder it was sold so quickly.

J8 SVG

1,468 posts

129 months

Tuesday 18th August 2015
quotequote all
300bhp/ton said:
I guess the funny thing is, while so many cool coupes are shunned for being auto only. That seems the complete trend today for so many performance cars.
Completely different gear boxes though.. This is hardly an 8 speed box with quick, intelligent changes. It's a lazy, slow 90s automatic that is probably just fine for motorway cruising but not for a country road blast!

big_rob_sydney

3,394 posts

193 months

Tuesday 18th August 2015
quotequote all
Drag racers in Aus have loved this engine for many years. Cheap petrol at the time meant no barriers to experimentation, and these engines have proven to be immensely powerful, with proven timeslips.

Would I have one for the road? Probably not. The 13B had poor torque, and had to have its neck wrung for performance. The 20B is better, but I think I'd still rather a different platform for a road car.

LittleEnus

3,218 posts

173 months

Tuesday 18th August 2015
quotequote all
big_rob_sydney said:
Drag racers in Aus have loved this engine for many years. Cheap petrol at the time meant no barriers to experimentation, and these engines have proven to be immensely powerful, with proven timeslips.

Would I have one for the road? Probably not. The 13B had poor torque, and had to have its neck wrung for performance. The 20B is better, but I think I'd still rather a different platform for a road car.
Quite. Poor torque and big saloon or coupe are not a great combo. I remember my dad buying me the Aussie mag 'Fast fours and rotaries' back in the 80s.

LittleEnus

3,218 posts

173 months

Tuesday 18th August 2015
quotequote all
FD3Si said:
Thanks for that video, wowsers!

300bhp/ton

41,030 posts

189 months

Tuesday 18th August 2015
quotequote all
J8 SVG said:
Completely different gear boxes though.. This is hardly an 8 speed box with quick, intelligent changes. It's a lazy, slow 90s automatic that is probably just fine for motorway cruising but not for a country road blast!
Maybe, although I'm not sure all of these 8 speed boxes are really any quicker or more intelligent in the grand scheme of things.

But having more gears certainly is a benefit. With a 4 speed auto you have to trade top speed and mpg to get it peppy for country lanes.

cocopop

1,300 posts

204 months

Tuesday 18th August 2015
quotequote all
LittleEnus said:
FD3Si said:
Thanks for that video, wowsers!
One more full of rotary goodness...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2Oliq1znfk

Strawman

6,463 posts

206 months

Tuesday 18th August 2015
quotequote all
300bhp/ton said:
Maybe, although I'm not sure all of these 8 speed boxes are really any quicker or more intelligent in the grand scheme of things.
They are, it used to be an auto was a second or two slower 0-60, now they are often quicker than a traditional manual set up (where available).