Mazda celebrates 40 years of their rotary engine
Forty years ago, the first vehicle powered by a rotary engine debuted as the Mazda Cosmo Sport. Since then, Mazda has manufactured nearly two million rotary-powered vehicles. The rotary engine has accumulated a quite respectable history for itself, being installed in sports coupes, convertibles, sedans, a pickup truck and even a bus. The rotary is also responsible for powering the first Japanese Le Mans champion in 1991.
The current rotary installed in the Mazda RX-8 makes the same horsepower figures as much larger-displacement V6's, and maintains very competitive fuel-efficiency. Its smaller size allows it to be placed further back in the chassis, enabling 50/50 weight distribution. It is also lighter, so handling and acceleration are improved simply because of having less weight to throw around. Its high rev-limit and incredible tuning potential has made it a favorite the world over.
Currently, Mazda is perfecting its hydrogen-powered rotary engine in the current RX-8, which can be seen occasionally on the road in Japan. Researching this technology in a sports car is really a great idea, because it tells the public that Mazda is not going to sacrifice its "zoom-zoom" in its endeavor to increase fuel efficiency and produce alternative fuel vehicles. We'll be watching their progress intently.
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[Source: Mazda]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Marvin Kitzerow 10:42AM (6/02/2007)
I think that Mazda's rotary engine would be a perfect candidate for use as a compressed air engine. Since the compressed air technology is more user friendly than hydrogen and a compressed air infrastructure will be able to be implemented almost overnight it seems that a Mazda Compressed Air Vehicle would be more practicle than a hydrogen vehicle.
Has anyone heard whether or not Mazda is developing their Compressed Air Vehicle. Knock, Knock, Mazda, compressed air technology will make hydrogen, battery, bio-fuel and gas electric hybrid automobiles obsolete. "Compressed Air Vehicles" (CAV), are the future here and now and any automobile manufacturer who does not embrace this technology will be "left out in the cold"
Solar powered air compressors are already on the market and by using solar to generate the compressed air that fuels these cars, they will be the first commercially produced, truly, zero emission automobile.
Compressed Air Vehicles are a God send and not only good for humanity and the world economy, but world peace and global warming.
Society demands automotive vehicles that can be fueled in the comfort of one's residence for almost next to nothing. The technology is here and now and only an ignorant, suppresed society will continue to purchase fossil fueled pollution factories.
Mazda needs to develop a "Rotary Compressed Air Engine". Companies like Moteur Development International (MDI) found at , and Energine Corp, found at , are way ahead of the major automobile manufacturers in compressed air technology.
Best regards,
Marvin Kitzerow
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pdx 6:36PM (6/02/2007)
There are even a couple rotary powered motorcycles. :) Or perhaps I should say "were" as none are currently made.
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JamesWB 7:40PM (6/02/2007)
Why is this in autoblogGREEN? Rotaries tend to get crappy mpg and put out a lot of CO2 for their size?
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fadetoblack51 8:07PM (6/02/2007)
Not to mention they burn a lot of oil during their combustion. There is a reason that only one company is currently using them in automobiles.
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Chris M 2:59AM (6/03/2007)
Wankel engines are compact and lightweight, unfortunately their odd shaped combustion chamber leads to low fuel efficiency, worse than standard piston engines. Of the current Mazda models, only the RX line uses rotary engines, all the rest are standard piston engines.
It is a bad idea to use an inefficient IC engine with an expensive fuel like H2, the less efficient "H2 rotary" is an even worse idea - unless you consider all the hydrogen research funds being granted for every half-baked H2 idea that comes down the pike.
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JamesWB 9:52AM (6/03/2007)
The Mazdaspeed 6 has more power yet gets better mpg with less CO2 emissions than the RX8 despite the heavier awd system.
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Brett 1:41AM (6/06/2007)
Chris M: Rotarys handle H2 combustion better because the intake takes place in a separate area of the engine. Piston engines are prone to knock when burning H2 because combustion takes place in the same place as the intake. Both need forced induction to get reasonable power out of a L of displacement, so it doesn't really much matter.
fadetoblack: All gasoline and diesel is "oil".
JamesWB: Drop a turbo on the Renesis, then make the comparison. You're talking apples to oranges.
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kraig 10:30PM (6/06/2007)
40 years since it first introduced the engine. To this day, Mazda had continuously improved and upgraded its product line. Mazda is not only known for is Rotary engine but as well as maker of quality accessories like mazda mirror - http://www.automotivemazparts.com/mazda-mirror/ - that gives its car a distinctive and attractive look and style.
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