While Holden is best known for its V8 and six-cylinder powered models, there is a rather unique and lesser-known chapter in the Kingswood’s story — a chapter involving rotary engine technology.
This specific model was produced in Japan, under an unusual collaboration between Holden and Mazda, two automotive giants from different parts of the world. The Holden Kingswood with a rotary engine is a rare and curious combination that highlights the unique crossroads of international automotive engineering and collaboration.
2. The Holden and Mazda Collaboration
The story of the Holden Kingswood and its rotary engine is rooted in the relationship between Holden and Mazda, two companies from different corners of the world. This collaboration stemmed from a period in the automotive industry when Japanese automakers were gaining recognition for their innovative engineering, particularly with the development of the rotary engine.
In the 1970s, Mazda, already known for its expertise with rotary engines, sought to expand its presence in international markets. Mazda had begun to produce successful cars powered by rotary engines, most notably the Mazda Cosmo and the Mazda RX-7, both of which were groundbreaking at the time.
Holden, meanwhile, was looking for ways to innovate its lineup, especially as the Australian market started to evolve with a growing interest in alternative engine technologies and fuel-efficient models. The rotary engine was gaining momentum globally, and it seemed to present an opportunity for Holden to experiment with a new type of propulsion in their vehicles.
The decision to combine Holden’s Kingswood platform with Mazda’s rotary engine technology came about in 1975. The concept was proposed as a means to incorporate the rotary engine into a familiar and popular Australian vehicle, providing both Holden and Mazda with a chance to test the viability of the rotary engine in a full-size car and open the door to new international markets.
This project was significant for a number of reasons. Firstly, it marked the beginning of Holden’s experimentation with non-traditional powertrains in its lineup. Secondly, it was an opportunity for Mazda to work with a well-established global partner to bring its rotary engine technology to a larger and more diverse audience.
3. Development of the Rotary-Powered Kingswood
The rotary engine that Holden incorporated into the Kingswood was the Mazda 12A rotary engine, a key player in Mazda’s expansion. The 12A was an early version of Mazda’s famous Wankel rotary engine, known for its smooth operation and unique design compared to conventional piston engines.
The rotary engine offered a number of distinct advantages, such as high RPM capability, compact size, and relatively smooth power delivery. For Holden, this was an intriguing option because it could potentially offer a small, efficient engine alternative to the larger and more traditional six-cylinder and V8 options already in production.
However, adapting the rotary engine to the Kingswood platform was not without its challenges. For one, the rotary engine was much smaller and lighter than the larger six-cylinder and V8 engines traditionally used in Australian cars. Holden’s engineers had to make significant adjustments to the engine bay, suspension, and transmission to accommodate the rotary unit.
The project also involved considerable testing to ensure the rotary-powered Kingswood could handle the stresses of Australian driving conditions. The final product was developed to be a unique blend of Holden’s heavy-duty performance and Mazda’s innovative engineering. The car would feature the Mazda 12A rotary engine, which was a 1.2-liter engine capable of producing approximately 120 horsepower and 110 lb-ft of torque — relatively modest numbers but impressive considering the engine’s small size and high-revving nature.
This specific version of the Holden Kingswood with the rotary engine was designed primarily for the Japanese market, where demand for fuel-efficient vehicles was growing rapidly. Japan had a strong automotive culture, and the introduction of a full-size sedan powered by a small, efficient rotary engine was seen as an intriguing option for Japanese car buyers.
The design and engineering challenges that Holden and Mazda faced in creating the Kingswood with a rotary engine were substantial. The engine had to fit into the existing Kingswood platform, and modifications were necessary to accommodate the smaller engine and ensure that it performed well in various driving conditions.
The resulting Holden Kingswood with a rotary engine was not just a prototype; it was a limited-production model built specifically for export to Japan in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
4. Specifications of the Rotary-Powered Holden Kingswood
The Holden Kingswood with the rotary engine was a striking and unusual variant of the car, and its specifications were unlike anything else on the market at the time. The car itself retained many of the features of the traditional Holden Kingswood, but with key changes to accommodate the rotary engine.
1. Engine
- Engine Type: Mazda 12A rotary engine
- Displacement: 1.2 liters (1200cc)
- Power Output: Approximately 120 horsepower
- Torque: Approximately 110 lb-ft
- Cooling System: Water-cooled rotary engine
- Fuel System: Single carburetor
- Engine Configuration: Twin-rotor Wankel rotary engine
2. Transmission
- Transmission: 4-speed manual or optional 3-speed automatic
- The rotary-powered Kingswood used a conventional transmission setup similar to that of the standard Kingswood but required modification to handle the unique characteristics of the rotary engine, particularly its high-revving nature and power delivery.
3. Chassis and Suspension
- Suspension: Independent front suspension with coil springs and live rear axle
- The suspension remained largely unchanged from the standard Kingswood, but it was tuned to accommodate the different weight distribution caused by the lighter rotary engine. Despite the lighter engine, the car had a robust chassis that could handle a variety of driving conditions.
4. Exterior and Interior
- Body Style: Sedan (with some station wagon variants produced)
- Exterior: Standard Kingswood body, with minor adjustments for the rotary engine setup.
- Interior: Standard Holden Kingswood interior trim, with slight updates to accommodate the unique nature of the rotary model. It was a well-appointed interior, with ample space and comfort features typical of the Kingswood range.
5. Performance
- The performance figures for the rotary-powered Kingswood were modest compared to its V8-powered counterparts. The rotary engine, while high-revving and smooth, lacked the low-end torque typically associated with the larger engines.
- Top Speed: Approximately 170 km/h (106 mph)
- 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph): Approximately 12 seconds
6. Fuel Efficiency
- A major selling point of the rotary-powered Kingswood was its fuel efficiency. Compared to the V8 engines in the regular Kingswood models, the rotary engine was more fuel-efficient, making it an appealing choice for drivers looking to reduce running costs.
5. Reception and Impact
The rotary-powered Holden Kingswood had a mixed reception in Japan and Australia. While the concept was innovative, the execution was less successful in terms of broad market appeal. There were a few reasons for this:
1. Market Preferences
- Japanese consumers generally preferred smaller, lighter cars with smaller engines. While the rotary engine was an interesting proposition, it was still part of a larger, heavier car that didn’t fit the typical size preferences of the Japanese market.
- There was also the issue of the rotary engine’s reputation for higher fuel consumption and relatively shorter engine life compared to traditional piston engines. Despite its efficiency over larger engines, the rotary engine didn’t quite catch on in the mainstream.
2. Durability Concerns
- Another issue was the durability of the Mazda rotary engine in the long term. The rotary engine, while innovative, was known for burning oil and having a shorter lifespan compared to conventional piston engines. This led to reliability concerns among some customers.
3. Limited Availability
- Because the rotary-powered Kingswood was a limited-production model, it did not have widespread availability, which affected its impact and long-term success. The car was primarily sold in Japan, with only a small number of units making it to other markets.
4. The End of the Project
- The project came to an end after a few years. The initial collaboration between Holden and Mazda eventually phased out as both companies moved forward with other vehicle lines and technologies. The rotary-powered Holden Kingswood, therefore, remains a rare and curious example of engineering experimentation.
6. Conclusion
The Holden Kingswood with a rotary engine represents a unique and little-known chapter in automotive history. The collaboration between Holden and Mazda resulted in a limited-run, rotary-powered version of the beloved Kingswood, intended to test the feasibility of rotary engine technology in a full-size car. While the project was ambitious, it ultimately had limited success, primarily due to the preferences of the target market and some concerns regarding the rotary engine’s longevity and reliability.
Nevertheless, the rotary-powered Holden Kingswood remains an intriguing example of cross-company collaboration and an experiment in automotive technology that pushed the boundaries of engineering in the mid-20th century.