Forget Rotaries, Here's the Mazda Engine We Really Want
A recent patent application suggests Mazda is working on a pretty crazy engine.
First reported by Road & Track, the patent application is for a “supercharging device for an engine,” but in it, Mazda talks about a twin-turbo engine further supported by an electric supercharger. Like other automakers that are looking into electric superchargers, Mazda would use the technology to generate low-end power while the turbochargers spool up. The Truth About Cars contributor Bozi Tatarevic notes it’s possible the electric supercharger would use Mazda’s i-Eloop system, which recovers heat energy from braking and turns it into electricity that is then stored in a supercapacitor.
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Interestingly, the patent application shows the engine being used in a rear-wheel-drive application. That means the tech could be used in the MX-5 Miata – even though the Miata has historically been about being fun to drive rather than all-out performance. No matter where they are planning to use it, it’s just good to see that Mazda hasn’t given up on the internal combustion engine in this age of electrification.
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Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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It is neat that Mazda is still tinkering with internal combustion, but to what end? I can't help but think their resources would be better spent developing technology where everything is going to end up anyways -electric. At what point does it stop becoming fun and just becomes part of the problem that still considers burning fossil fuels a viable option for transportation?