Mazda is a Japanese automaker that has a long history of producing innovative and distinctive vehicles. One of the most notable features of Mazda’s cars is the use of the rotary engine, a type of internal combustion engine that has a unique design and performance.
The rotary engine, also known as the Wankel engine, was invented by German engineer Felix Wankel in the 1950s. Unlike conventional piston engines, which have cylinders and valves, the rotary engine has a triangular rotor that spins inside an oval-shaped housing. The rotor creates three chambers that alternately compress and expand the air-fuel mixture, producing power and exhaust.
The rotary engine has several advantages over piston engines, such as being lighter, smaller, smoother, quieter, and having a higher power-to-weight ratio. However, it also has some drawbacks, such as higher fuel consumption, oil consumption, emissions, and maintenance costs.
Mazda was the first automaker to adopt the rotary engine for mass production in 1967. Since then, Mazda has developed and improved the rotary engine for various models, such as the Cosmo Sport, the RX-7, the RX-8, and the 787B race car. The rotary engine became a symbol of Mazda’s spirit of innovation and challenge.
However, in 2012, Mazda discontinued the production of the RX-8, the last model to use a rotary engine. The reasons for this decision were mainly environmental and economic. The rotary engine could not meet the stricter emission standards and fuel efficiency requirements of the global market. Moreover, the demand for sports cars was declining due to the global financial crisis and changing consumer preferences.
Many fans of Mazda and the rotary engine were disappointed by this news. They wondered if Mazda would ever bring back the rotary engine or if it would become a thing of the past.
But Mazda did not give up on the rotary engine. In fact, Mazda has been working on a new way to revive and advance the rotary engine for the future. The key to this project is to combine the rotary engine with electric power.
Mazda’s new vision is to use the rotary engine as a range extender for its electric vehicles (EVs). A range extender is a small generator that charges the battery of an EV when it runs low on power. This way, an EV can extend its driving range and reduce its dependence on charging stations.
Mazda believes that the rotary engine is ideal for this role because of its compact size, low vibration, high output, and multi-fuel capability. The rotary engine can run on various types of fuel, such as gasoline, diesel, hydrogen, or biofuel. This gives Mazda more flexibility and options to reduce its environmental impact and meet different market needs.
Mazda’s first EV to feature a rotary range extender is the MX-30 R-EV (Rotary-Electric Vehicle), which is based on the MX-30 EV that was launched in 2020. The MX-30 R-EV has a 35.5 kWh battery that provides a range of about 100 miles (160 km), and a 0.33-liter single-rotor engine that adds another 120 miles (200 km) of range. The MX-30 R-EV is expected to be released in Japan in 2023 and in other markets in 2024.
The MX-30 R-EV is not the only model that Mazda plans to equip with a rotary range extender. Mazda also intends to apply this technology to other EVs, such as the MX-5 Miata, the CX-5 SUV, and the BT-50 pickup truck. Mazda hopes that by offering a variety of EVs with rotary range extenders, it can appeal to different customers and increase its market share.
Mazda’s rotary engine is not only a range extender, but also a platform for innovation. Mazda is exploring other ways to use the rotary engine for various purposes, such as a power source for drones, generators, and emergency vehicles. Mazda is also collaborating with other companies and institutions to develop new applications and solutions based on the rotary engine.
Mazda’s rotary engine is a testament to its passion for engineering and creativity. By advancing the rotary engine for the new era of electrification, Mazda is demonstrating its commitment to delivering unique and enjoyable driving experiences to its customers. Mazda’s rotary engine is not just a legacy, but a future.
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