They aren’t the only company to make use of the Wankel design, but Mazda is by far the most successful at making chip-shaped rotors turn out power. Slammed into everything from small pickup trucks to large personal coupes and the halo car, the RX-7 sports coupe, the rotary has had a hell of a life, most recently in the form of the Renesis mill that powered the RX-8. For about a year now, the rumor mill has been strong that Mazda was once again looking at the possibility of running a rotary mill, and fans foamed at the mouth for a possible “RX-9” sports machine. Well…we’ve got good news and we’ve got bad news. The good news is that the rotary has been confirmed to return…
The bad news: …as the range-extending engine for a battery-electric vehicle.
It’s all part of a plan that is actually called “Sustainable Zoom-Zoom 2030”. Basically, Mazda is looking to use the new rotary mill as a range extender option. The idea is to eliminate 90% of the carbon dioxide emissions as measured by 2010 standards by 2030, and electrificatio and hybridization are the only way the company sees that goal happening. There isn’t a firm timeline or any real hint of the vehicle that will debut other than it will have a battery-only variation. The design will be similar to a locomotive: the engine will charge the batteries, which will provide the energy that electric drive motors need to create motion. There is also the chance that the upcoming rotary won’t just run on gasoline…liquified petroleum gas and hydrogen are potential options.
Sorry if you were looking forward to a new shrieking sports car, but take solace that there might be a chance that the RX-Vision concept might have some clues for future products. That’s the way the future goes, sometimes.
A good % of Americans won’t be able to drive a car like that. Oh sure, getting in will be easy…gravity! Getting out with their ” fried chicken ” gut…no way!!
What the fuck are you even talking about? LOL
Chip shaped rotors?
Where I come from that means they are yellowish gold, long and thin, slightly oily and have ketchup dripping off them……