It's Official: Mazda Will Bring Back Rotary Engines In 2020 As Range Extenders
With various Mazda execs touting a return of rotary tech for the last few years, the company itself has finally given us confirmation. At the Paris Motor Show, the Japanese company announced that its first-ever EV - set for a 2020 launch - will be available with a “small, lightweight and exceptionally quiet rotary engine as a range-extender.”
Rotary engines are compact yet able to produce impressive power outputs, making them ideal range-extenders, Mazda reckons its new one will even be able to run on liquefied petroleum gas if required.
It’s perhaps not the rotary return lovers of the RX-7 and RX-8 might have wanted, but as has been pointed out by Mazda personnel before, this new project keeps Wankel technology alive and makes it much cleaner-burning than before. This increases the likelihood of a rotary-powered ‘RX-9’ happening. It still seems like a remote possibility, but it’s a possibility nonetheless.
It may seem like Mazda is late to the EV party, but that’s very deliberate. It has committed itself to a “right solution at the right time” strategy, citing varying electricity production methods that mean electric cars aren’t always as green as we might think. This is why the firm is - shock horror - still developing petrol engine technology, in the form of its new high-compression SkyActiv-X engine.
Mazda has even extensively redesigned the 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated SkyActiv engine in the MX-5, allowing it to rev higher and produce more power. Rotary engines, relaying electrification and persevering with N/A engines? Mazda certainly seems determined to do things differently.
Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.
Comments
THE POWER OF THE ROTARY HAS RETURNED!!!
No, no it hasn’t. It’s a range extender… that means it’ll likely not have any power sent to the wheels, just to a battery to charge the electric motor.
the irony is too damn high lol.
like weren’t rotaries the most gas and oil guzzling things on the market?
hmmm…….
still, i do like where this is heading
That’s exactly what I was thinking, now, a four rotor, hybrid, mid engined super car? THAT is what I would love to see!
maybe the litlle footprint of the wankel is an advantage as a range extender…?
Rotaries aren’t that gas guzzling when operating at a constant rev number right at the sweet spot of the engine.
Also low vibrations and small footprint make it the perfect pick for a rex.
My exact face expression
Think of it like luxury car makers bringing out SUVs. They know that they’ll be profitable and that extra profit lets them make the jump to producing a wider range of performance cars. Mazda knows that in a hybrid application they can create a flexible rotary drivetrain that they can apply across the range, and not only that, but they can sell rotaries to people who don’t even know they’re buying a rotary - no hesitation like enthusiasts have when making the switch.
The new range-extender rotary, then, is a rather safe bet to bring rotaries back to market while justifying R&D costs with the promise of sales. Bringing a performance, stand-alone rotary engine to market would be a very expensive venture by itself, but with this approach Mazda can develop an all-new rotary and retool their factories with the very real possibility to apply that new technology to a new sports car.
First mod on the new Mazda
Swap the rotary engine as the main unit and throw the battery and the motor in the trash.
And have about 50hp
That may incur premature wear, as that was not the main purpose of that rotary.
Mazda may have improved the reliability and usability during the 6 years of its absence, but I would want to keep those Apex Seals safe for as long as possible.
did SOMEONE SAY ROTARY?!
LS SWAP INTENSIFIES
Using an LS as a range extender would work against the whole system though, as they weight too much and can’t rev high enough
Why is my pp so hard
lol
“exceptionally quiet”
I don’t care what will be powered by this, as long as it has rotors flying around inside.
the dorito is back!