The hearsay mill for Mazda’s rotary revival has fired into life once more, this time bringing with it hypothesis over a brand new drivetrain system for an upcoming sports activities automotive that may very well be powered by the enduring engine itself.
Mazda not too long ago confirmed off a rotary hybrid idea engine because the carmaker introduced its dedication to inside combustion alongside Toyota and Subaru, although it’s been closely urged the engine itself would solely be used as a variety extender as seen within the Mazda MX-30 SUV abroad.
In describing its twin-rotor idea, Mazda says the 2 longitudinally mounted rotary engines generate energy and might allow the usage of a bigger battery energy provide, successfully performing as a range-extender fairly than a direct driver of the wheels.
Now, Japanese outlet Greatest Automotive Internet experiences Mazda efficiently registered a patent for a brand new “automobile drive system” in June, which is a sophisticated setup that would probably see a rotary engine used for each battery charging and propulsion.
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Working with the restrictions of an English translation of Greatest Automotive Internet’s Japanese article, the automobile drive system is described as an elaborate system that includes a “mild-hybrid that makes use of [a rotary engine] for propulsion”.
The publication outlines a rotary engine for driving positioned behind the entrance axle, whose energy will probably be despatched to the rear wheels with out travelling by means of a standard flywheel.
As an alternative, a 25kW electrical motor is mated on to the rotary engine with no clutch mechanism, with the publication speculating the motor might take the place of a flywheel in rotary-engine driving.
A drive battery will reportedly be positioned behind the automotive’s two seats, with a petroleum tank behind that.
A transaxle and transmission will supposedly be located on the rear axle, which may very well be operated by an “actuator” like in an automated-manual or be used as a standard guide transmission.
Along with the drive offered by the rotary-motor association, the automotive might additionally function 17kW in-wheel motors on the entrance axle.
Gasoline provide will reportedly be managed through a change, which can permit the automotive to run on electrical energy alone. It’ll even have the capability for rotary-only driving, throughout which energy from the engine to the electrical motor will probably be reduce.
It’s not fully clear how the drivetrain will probably be setup, however it’s been reported the automotive may very well be all-wheel drive in mild-hybrid mode, front-wheel drive in electric-only mode, and rear-wheel drive when utilizing solely the rotary engine.
Greatest Automotive Internet suggests its battery-only distance will probably be quick, although the mild-hybrid tech ought to assist in city driving with stop-start performance. It also needs to cut back noise in residential areas.
It’s been reported the two-rotor engine is “being thought-about to be used in sports activities automobiles”, the more than likely of which being a manufacturing model of the RX-7 impressed Iconic SP idea seen eventually 12 months’s Tokyo motor present.
When the idea was unveiled in October 2023, Mazda stated it was powered by a two-rotor EV system which might cost the onboard battery that powers its electrical motors when the battery pack goes flat.
On the time, Mazda stated the Iconic SP might produce as much as 285kW, weigh 1450kg, and have a 50:50 weight distribution for preferrred dealing with steadiness.
It’s not clear how the potential manufacturing model might carry out in any of its hypothetical drive modes, although experiences have urged the mannequin may very well be unveiled as early as 2026.
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