Mazda's Next Rotary Engine To Be EV Range Extender

Mazda is indeed working on a new rotary engine, but you might not like the sound of its intended use...

Updated: 10 Oct 2024

We know now that Mazda has whipped up a successor for the RX-Vision concept, and we’re pretty sure it’ll be rotary powered. But how about in the real world of production cars? Well, the rotary news there is less rosy.

It’s looking like the rotary engine Mazda has been working on is actually a range extender for the electric vehicle the Japanese firm intends to release by 2019. According to Automotive News, Mazda powertrain boss Mitsuo Hitomi said: “I think that’s probably what it [Mazda’s next rotary engine] will be.” The rationale is that rotary engines can be very small yet powerful, and generate low vibrations, Hitomi explained.

But, it’s not all bad news. Another part of the argument for using a rotary engine in this capacity is it keeps the technology alive for now, and Hitomi confirmed that Mazda is indeed working on a larger unit that could be fitted to a sports car in the future.

Nothing will happen until a business case for a sports car larger than the MX-5 is made though, so the last use of the rotary engine in the automotive industry might not be the braap-fest we all long for…

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

Just accept the rotary is a dying legend people. Let it die a legend, don’t let it survive on EV life support.

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Why not? I think its a great idea!

Actually EV Hybrid Rotary would be cool as F. Instant torque would make up for lag of the Turbos and compact Wankel would make it weight less than a normal engine. Also this concept works even better with range extender. Why? Becouse computers would take care of the wankel (since most people can’t, therefore the bad reliability) and again, it would weight less than a normal range extended hybrid. Even better, it could make electricity, for the E engine and improve the usability of it. In that third case we wouldn’t even need a battery

Exactly. Wankels are perfect when you want lots of power in a small and light package. And when used as a range extender, they will operate at a near-constant RPM which might make heat management less of a problem.

Could even have a manual transmission

I don’t think it will ever be used as anything more than range extender. Rotary engines burn oil by design, and burning oil at the rate a rotary does kills any chance of passing emissions.