06/10/2026
𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗥𝗢𝗧𝗔𝗫 𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗦𝗠𝗔 𝗖𝗬𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗦 | AN UPDATE FROM IKD
BRP-Rotax is introducing a new Plasma-coated cylinder for the Rotax MAX engine family, replacing the Nikasil-lined cylinder technology used since the beginning of Rotax MAX.
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At IKD, we understand that this cylinder change - particularly following a recent update - is frustrating. However, the circumstances behind this change are important.
The manufacturer of the existing Rotax cylinder and piston has entered insolvency, leading to a restructuring of the company and the discontinuation of cylinder production.
𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱’𝘀 𝗯𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁-𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗸𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘀𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.
As a result, BRP-Rotax has moved cylinder production in-house in Austria and is taking the opportunity to introduce its proven Plasma coating technology to karting for the first time - a technology already successfully used by BRP-Rotax in other engine applications.
𝗥𝗼𝘁𝗮𝘅 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗸𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗿 𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 𝘂𝘀𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗮𝘀 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘂𝗹𝗮 𝟭 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗚𝗣.
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The new Plasma cylinder brings a more stable and reliable supply of cylinders, giving Rotax direct control over the manufacturing and ongoing quality.
Importantly, BRP-Rotax’s stated target is for the new Plasma cylinder to match the current level of performance straight out of the box.
The manufacturing of the piston is planned to be moved to another European manufacturer with the same technical specification as the current piston.
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𝗔𝗩𝗔𝗜𝗟𝗔𝗕𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗬
We currently expect the first Plasma cylinders to become available late 2026. Karting Australia has been informed of the change and, subject to final approval processes, we expect the new cylinder to be eligible for competition from 2027 onwards.
𝟰𝟱% 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗗𝗨𝗖𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗬 𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗧
To support customers who choose to update their engine, BRP-Rotax will be offering a 45% discount off the retail price of the Rotax Plasma cylinder for a limited time. Exact timing and further details of this offer will be announced once confirmed.
We’re sharing all the information available to us at this stage and will continue to keep the Australian Rotax community updated as further timelines and technical details are confirmed.
Thank you!
Find more information, Tech Tips, and Q&A on:
🌐https://www.internationalkarting.com.au/files//ROTAX/Rotax-K-TechTip7_Rotax-Plasama-Cylinder.pdf
🌐 https://www.internationalkarting.com.au/article/new-rotax-pl
🌐 https://www.rotax-racing.com/news/rotax-plasma-coated-cylinder
