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 could possibly be powered by the long-lasting engine itself.
Mazda not too long ago confirmed off a rotary hybrid idea engine because the carmaker introduced its dedication to inner combustion alongside Toyota and Subaru, although it’s been closely recommended 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 using a bigger battery energy provide, successfully performing as a range-extender reasonably than a direct driver of the wheels.
Now, Japanese outlet Finest Automotive Internet reviews Mazda efficiently registered a patent for a brand new “automobile drive system” in June, which is a sophisticated setup that might doubtlessly see a rotary engine used for each battery charging and propulsion.
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Working with the constraints of an English translation of Finest 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 can be despatched to the rear wheels with out travelling by a standard flywheel.
As a substitute, a 25kW electrical motor is mated on to the rotary engine with no clutch mechanism, with the publication speculating the motor may 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 could possibly be operated by an “actuator” like in an automated-manual or be used as a standard handbook transmission.
Along with the drive offered by the rotary-motor association, the automotive may additionally characteristic 17kW in-wheel motors on the entrance axle.
Gas provide will reportedly be managed by way of a swap, which is able to enable 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 can be lower.
It’s not totally clear how the drivetrain can be setup, but it surely’s been reported the automotive could possibly 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.
Finest Automotive Internet suggests its battery-only distance can be brief, although the mild-hybrid tech ought to assist in city driving with stop-start performance. It also needs to scale 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 most definitely of which being a manufacturing model of the RX-7 impressed Iconic SP idea seen ultimately 12 months’s Tokyo motor present.
When the idea was unveiled in October 2023, Mazda mentioned it was powered by a two-rotor EV system which may cost the onboard battery that powers its electrical motors when the battery pack goes flat.
On the time, Mazda mentioned the Iconic SP may produce as much as 285kW, weigh 1450kg, and have a 50:50 weight distribution for perfect dealing with steadiness.
It’s not clear how the potential manufacturing model may carry out in any of its hypothetical drive modes, although reviews have recommended the mannequin could possibly be unveiled as early as 2026.
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