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Mazda patents EV with Rotary engine

4K views 15 replies 10 participants last post by  worth_fixing 
#1 ·
Mazda recently filed a patent showing an EV with Rotary engine. I suspect this is direction they would go in if the RX-Vision concept becomes reality.

http://www.autoblog.com/2017/03/17/mazda-patents-show-rotary-engine-range-extended-ev/

"The second patent is for an engine start-and-stop system, but specifically for rotary engines. The system is designed to shut off a rotary engine when not needed, much as modern piston engines do. It also stops the rotor in a position that closes the intake port to ensure no fuel or exhaust emissions slip out through the intake tract. This is necessary since there are no valves in a rotary, and air and exhaust come through ports that are "opened" and "closed" by the rotor itself. The patent also describes the possibility of firing a spark plug after the fuel has been cut to eliminate any leftover fuel emissions. This system would theoretically improve a rotary engine's fuel economy and emissions significantly, which would be a boon as those are two of the rotary's major weaknesses."
 
#3 · (Edited)
http://www.caradvice.com.au/500011/mazda-to-introduce-electric-vehicles-by-2019/

Mazda has confirmed that it will introduce an electric vehicle by 2019, as it sees the sales of electric cars comprising around 10 per cent of the global car sales by 2020.

Speaking to Australian media at today’s Los Angeles motor show, the company’s head of research and development, Kiyoshi Fujiwara, said that as the cost of battery technology comes down, the potential for EVs grows.

The Japanese brand is likely teaming up with Toyota for a low-volume electric vehicle, with an option for a range-extender variant using a small rotary engine.

Didn't Audi have a concept hatchback with un pequeña Wankel range extended in the boot?


Range Extender... it seems with the R.E., tiny packaging is more important than efficiency.
If Mazda can make a tiny Wankel R.E. package that is powerful and reliable, I can see it being very appealing to all brands moving towards EVs wanting to at least offer an R.E. option even if not the most efficient with gas.
That being said- a Wankel designed to just run at one rpm/max power could be surprisingly efficient.
IIRC- Mazda Wankels were more efficient the closer to WOT and max power rpm.

Looks like Mazda had a test driveable Mazda2 EV prototype with W.R.E. several years ago.
http://www.caradvice.com.au/261593/mazda-2-ev-rotary-range-extender-review-quick-drive/
 
#9 · (Edited)
Are any new car buyers still interested in rotaries? If this is a PR move, Mazda should think about replacing their PR team.

Honestly, this probably comes up every few years, because there's probably a few engineers at Mazda still want to fiddle around with rotaries.

I think Mazda burned the last of their rotary customers with the renesis.
 
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