Eunos Eunos Cosmo History

Launched in 1990 as the flagship of the Eunos range, the JC-generation Cosmo was among the most technologically ambitious Japanese cars of its era. It offered a choice of two rotary engines: a twin-turbocharged 13B two-rotor producing 230 hp (172 kW) and the iconic 20B-REW three-rotor twin-turbo rated at 276 hp (206 kW) — making it the only mass-produced car ever powered by a three-rotor Wankel engine. Both engines used Mazda's sequential twin-turbo system for broad power delivery.

The 276 hp figure was not a physical ceiling but a voluntary cap: the 20B-REW was held to that number by Japan's gentlemen's agreement among domestic automakers, and a simple ECU remap could reveal substantially more power. Of the approximately 8,875 Eunos Cosmos built during the model's production run, roughly 3,550 received the three-rotor 20B; the remainder used the 13B.

Beyond its rotary powertrains, the Eunos Cosmo broke new ground in automotive technology: it was the first production car in the world to offer a built-in GPS navigation system, available from launch in 1990. The car also featured an early touchscreen infotainment interface, making it a remarkable technical landmark well ahead of the industry mainstream. Production ended in September 1995 after 8,875 units were built.