Mazda confirms MX-30 will get a rotary engine as a range extender
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Joined: Jan 2012
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From: Alabama
Mazda confirms MX-30 will get a rotary engine as a range extender
When will it actually get to market though in the US? They are saying 2022 it will be available in Japan, so it sounds like they didn't really green light it. Mazda's had range extender prototypes for years.
The problem is that the CX-30 EV has less than 200 miles range. The way the market is going, people want more all-electric range and so far little demand has been demonstrated for range extending EV's (witness the death of the Volt). All the plug in hybrids that do sell have like 20 miles of EV range.
This sounds like a low volume compliance car to meet zero emissions mandates. Mazda doesn't sound very committed to it. I hate to be negative, but follow the money. They are hedging right now, and if their alliance with Toyota pans out they'll just get EV batteries through shared purchasing and leave rotary range extenders as a niche science experiment.
The problem is that the CX-30 EV has less than 200 miles range. The way the market is going, people want more all-electric range and so far little demand has been demonstrated for range extending EV's (witness the death of the Volt). All the plug in hybrids that do sell have like 20 miles of EV range.
This sounds like a low volume compliance car to meet zero emissions mandates. Mazda doesn't sound very committed to it. I hate to be negative, but follow the money. They are hedging right now, and if their alliance with Toyota pans out they'll just get EV batteries through shared purchasing and leave rotary range extenders as a niche science experiment.
I won't let go
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,871
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From: Chi -> Maidstone
I like the idea of a sporty plugin hybrid car, and I hope someone builds one eventually. I dislike what I've heard about the MX-30 powertrain so far. It sounds they are commanding less power from the electric motor at low RPM so it will feel more 'normal' to people who have spent a lot of time in small cars with small engines. I've never heard of anyone who wishes their car made less low-RPM torque, I can't imagine why they would do this.
That said, I think a rotary engine range extender makes sense, it's small and lightweight. If it can be efficient enough within a narrow powerband, it might not need to have 'streetable' idle and part-throttle characteristics since it's just acting as a generator. It might sound weird, but I think snowmobiles and side-by-sides sound weird and people get used to it.
That said, I think a rotary engine range extender makes sense, it's small and lightweight. If it can be efficient enough within a narrow powerband, it might not need to have 'streetable' idle and part-throttle characteristics since it's just acting as a generator. It might sound weird, but I think snowmobiles and side-by-sides sound weird and people get used to it.
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It looks like it's coming to Europe and Japan first:
https://tflcar.com/2023/01/mazda-mx-...tender-reveal/
https://insideevs.com/news/630894/20...ange-extender/
I haven't seen claims whether the new 8C rotary has aluminum side plates or cast iron, but multiple sites are claiming it will have direct injection and photos make it look like a single spark plug per rotor. Also new geometry, and 0.83L displacement which suggests it might be half of a the 16X prototype from 10+ years ago.
https://insideevs.com/news/630894/20...ange-extender/
I haven't seen claims whether the new 8C rotary has aluminum side plates or cast iron, but multiple sites are claiming it will have direct injection and photos make it look like a single spark plug per rotor. Also new geometry, and 0.83L displacement which suggests it might be half of a the 16X prototype from 10+ years ago.
Rotary Freak
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,560
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From: Toronto
Not a lot of details so far... I'm curious about the metallurgy of the seals, port configurations, etc.
Most likely it is designed to operate at a constant RPM, right? A little different than our engines.
Most likely it is designed to operate at a constant RPM, right? A little different than our engines.
Full Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 162
Likes: 3
From: Dallas/Denton, TX
Some finer points on this version of the engine that might aid in building a new sports car engine version:
1. Direct fuel injection (said to aid efficiency)
2. Plasma coated AL side housings! (Less weight)
3. Wider apex seals(?)
1. Direct fuel injection (said to aid efficiency)
2. Plasma coated AL side housings! (Less weight)
3. Wider apex seals(?)
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