Mazda twin-rotor engine a priority for its biggest market
Mazda CEO Masahiro Moro has added fuel to the rotary fire by insisting the carmaker is close to perfecting a twin-rotor engine for use in future models.
Mr Moro has told Automotive News that the carmaker is working on a new twin-rotor engine for the US market.
“I want a rotary engine that complies with very stringent emission regulations. That is going to be a significant challenge. We are very close,” said Moro-san.
“If we are thinking about the U.S. market, one rotor is not enough. Two rotors are needed to generate more power.
“We have tested with the single rotor. The next phase will be moving to two. The rotors spin separately in different chambers with one shaft. We need to generate more electricity.
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“Two rotors will generate more power, which is more suitable to U.S. market characteristics.”
Rotary power is synonymous with Mazda – the unique powertrain design featured in sports cars birthed by the Japanese manufacturer from the 1960s right up until 2012.
Among those models was the iconic FD RX-7, and the 787B race car that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race in 1991.
However, Mazda put its rotary program on the back-burner after killing off the RX-8, and enthusiasts hungered for another Wankel engine thereafter.
While Mazda did eventually revive the rotary engine in 2021, it was in the form of a single-rotor range-extender for the MX-30 SUV.
In describing its twin-rotor concept, Mazda has said the two longitudinally mounted rotary engines generate power and can enable the use of a larger battery power supply, acting as a range-extender rather than a direct driver of the wheels.
Mr Moro’s comments imply that future rotary engines will continue to serve as range extenders for electrified vehicles, and not necessarily power the wheels directly.
It’s been reported the two-rotor engine is “being considered for use in sports cars”, the most likely of which being a production version of the RX-7-inspired Iconic SP concept seen at last year’s Tokyo motor show.
At the reveal of the Iconic SP, Mazda said it was powered by a two-rotor EV system which could charge the onboard battery that powers its electric motors when the battery pack goes flat.
Mazda claimed the Iconic SP could produce up to 285kW and weigh as little as 1450kg.
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