Don't Get Too Excited About Mazda's New Rotary Plans
Mazda is bringing back the rotary engine, but it will likely be used as a range extender.
When Mazda introduced the RX Vision Concept at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show, enthusiasts got excited about the possibility of not only a new sports car for the Japanese automaker’s range, but a rotary-powered one. But before the RX Vision Concept was unveiled, Mazda was quietly testing a Demio (Mazda2) EV in 2013 featuring a rotary engine serving as a range extender. For obvious reasons, that wasn’t very exciting, but that is likely how we will see the rotary engine being used in a new application.
Speaking at a technology preview at Mazda’s proving ground in Japan, the automaker’s global powertrain lead Mitsuo Hitomi suggested a new rotary engine will serve as a range-extender engine for an electric car.”I think that’s probably what it will be,” he said. He added by saying a rotary engine works well as a range extender because it’s compact and powerful, while generating low vibration.
SEE ALSO: Mazda Confirms New Rotary Concept Car for Tokyo Motor Show
Mazda is aiming to bring the electric vehicle to market in 2019, along with a hybrid vehicle. Like the BMW i3, the electric vehicle will be offered in two versions, one pure electric and one with the range-extender engine. It will ride on a new vehicle architecture that has been designed with a floor pan to accommodate batteries for an EV or hybrid drivetrain.
The good news? Well, Hitomi didn’t completely kill off the idea of a larger rotary engine that could be used to power a sports car. The problem however, is that Mazda is still debating whether it can make a business case for another sports car in its range with the MX-5 Miata currently existing.
We will likely find out more about Mazda’s future plans at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show, where it will debut a new rotary concept car.
[Source: Automotive News]
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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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In my deepest of dreams, the sports sedan teaser image Mazda released will be a 3-rotor SCHCCI skyactiv-R full hybrid w/electric supercharger with rotary range extender. Call it the Rx10. Follow this up with an enthusiast coupe' verison that ditches the range extender, 1 rotor and swaps the full hybrid battery for a supercapacitor (to drive the electric supercharger). For good measure twin-charge it by adding a turbo for the mid-high end while the e-supercharger provides lagless low end boost. The cap would be recharged via Mazda's i-ELOOP regen brake setup. Call that model the Rx9, and let the pant-crapping commence. IMO that's how Mazda should come out swinging if it wants a rotary revival.