Mazda developing Rotary/Electric Hybrid
08-29-08, 07:57 PM
#1
Mazda developing Rotary/Electric Hybrid
http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsAr...llCars/234607/
Imagine a rotary that could get the mileage of a Prius. I doubt we will ever see a production car, however.
Mods, could you please fix my spelling mistake in the title? "developing"
Autocar has learned that Mazda engineers are hard at work trying to develop a rival to the Chevrolet Volt – a car which uses a petrol engine to charge a battery pack which powers the wheels via an electric motor.
Senior sources say that trials are currently underway in Japan, with a prototype that uses a rotary engine to charge the battery pack. The tests are sufficiently advanced that Mazda has a working prototype in a Mazda 5 MPV bodyshell. Company bosses are said to be keen to put this system into production but no firm decisions will be made until the cost of batteries is reduced.
In the meantime the company will concentrate on simpler green technologies. The first stop-start Mazda will go on sale in Japan next year and the system is expected to be rolled out globally on a variety of models.
Senior sources say that trials are currently underway in Japan, with a prototype that uses a rotary engine to charge the battery pack. The tests are sufficiently advanced that Mazda has a working prototype in a Mazda 5 MPV bodyshell. Company bosses are said to be keen to put this system into production but no firm decisions will be made until the cost of batteries is reduced.
In the meantime the company will concentrate on simpler green technologies. The first stop-start Mazda will go on sale in Japan next year and the system is expected to be rolled out globally on a variety of models.
Mods, could you please fix my spelling mistake in the title? "developing"
Last edited by Sgt Fox; 08-29-08 at 08:07 PM.
08-29-08, 10:51 PM
#2
It's been approved for public road testing back in June.
http://www.mazda.com/publicity/relea...06/080620.html
I don't think Mazda is hyping the duel fuel thing enough.
http://www.mazda.com/publicity/relea...06/080620.html
I don't think Mazda is hyping the duel fuel thing enough.
Last edited by j_tso; 08-29-08 at 10:57 PM.
08-29-08, 10:56 PM
#3
There are people out there who are really strict when it comes to names and many wouldn't consider this a hybrid as a hybrid is one that has 2 distinct powerplants driving the wheels. This doesn't. It only has electric motors directly coupled to the wheels whereas the engine only turns a generator. This is like a locomotive and is over 75 year old technology. The catch is that now a nice battery pack is thrown into the mix.
This is the future of cars. Like it or not, this is it. Some people can't see it but there are so many reasons to list why it would be stupid not to go to this type of setup. The Prius has always been a crap design and is not going to live long after cars come out with this type of system whether the generator is rotary, piston, or otherwise. The Chevy Volt uses the same setup but with a piston engine. Volvo is also working on a similar system as is Mini which means BMW must also be doing it too. Just watch. There is where it's going.
This is the future of cars. Like it or not, this is it. Some people can't see it but there are so many reasons to list why it would be stupid not to go to this type of setup. The Prius has always been a crap design and is not going to live long after cars come out with this type of system whether the generator is rotary, piston, or otherwise. The Chevy Volt uses the same setup but with a piston engine. Volvo is also working on a similar system as is Mini which means BMW must also be doing it too. Just watch. There is where it's going.
08-29-08, 11:49 PM
#4
It'll be either this, or fuel cells, or pure electric, if/when batteries are capable. Power grid just couldn't take it if we all switched to plug-in electrics, though.
Going IC-electric now, and switching to fuel-cell electric when hydrogen can get cheap, would be an excellent plan. Minimal re-engineering.
Just too much good sense behind electric drive (full torque at stall speed, regenerative braking, no need for a drive train or only a simple one (two or three ratios tops, no need for reverse) to not use it, and constant-load charging also makes a lot more sense than trying to switch between two different drive systems with a complex drivetrain.
The batteries are what have to make it, though. Light and powerful, with long life, & reasonable cosst. Right now, it's "choose any two of four."
Going IC-electric now, and switching to fuel-cell electric when hydrogen can get cheap, would be an excellent plan. Minimal re-engineering.
Just too much good sense behind electric drive (full torque at stall speed, regenerative braking, no need for a drive train or only a simple one (two or three ratios tops, no need for reverse) to not use it, and constant-load charging also makes a lot more sense than trying to switch between two different drive systems with a complex drivetrain.
The batteries are what have to make it, though. Light and powerful, with long life, & reasonable cosst. Right now, it's "choose any two of four."
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