Originally expected to debut in 2022, the Mazda MX-30 PHEV, which will introduce a rotary engine to increase endurance, has finally been officially confirmed by Mazda recently after a year of delay. , that is, before the official debut in March 2023. 10 years after the RX-8 was discontinued in 2012, the representative rotary engine will finally return to the car world in a brand-new form.
The Mazda MX-30 PHEV, which uses a rotary engine for increased range, will be officially unveiled in the second half of the fiscal year, before March 2023.
The rotary engine’s past, the glory of the RX-7
The RX-8, which was discontinued in 2012, is Mazda’s last current lineup to be powered by a rotary engine. Before that, both the RX-3 and the RX-7 enjoyed a special status in the car world with this special engine type. Among them, RX-7 is influenced by popular culture such as animation and movies. Even if it has been out of the market for more than 20 years, its used car prices are still high, and its modified products are still dazzling. Pass.
Due to the influence of popular culture such as animation and movies, the RX-7 has been out of the market for more than 20 years. Its used car prices are still high, and its modified products are still dazzling. It is not an exaggeration to call it a “palace-level” Japanese sports car.
Rotary engine disappeared for 10 years, will return in 2023
However, although the rotary engine has the advantages of small size, high power, high speed and power linearity, its maintenance problems such as high fuel consumption, oil consumption, high emissions, and the need for regular replacement of the rotor seal are easy to deter car owners. A generation of RX-8 equipped with a rotary engine retired, and the rotary engine officially announced its disappearance in the car world.
With the last generation of the RX-8 equipped with a rotary engine, the rotary engine was officially announced to disappear in the car world.
In the years since the rotary engine disappeared, there have been rumors that Mazda intends to revive it. It’s just because of the above shortcomings, while environmental regulations, oil prices and other unfavorable factors are increasing, the possibility of a direct return of the rotary engine is getting lower and lower. Fortunately, Mazda’s engineers have not given up the pride of the brand, and decided to introduce the rotary engine into the latest electric vehicle series MX-30 PHEV in the form of an extended-range engine, and it will be available before the end of March 2023 at the earliest.
The rotary engine has the advantages of small size and high output, and is suitable for use as a range-extending engine
The so-called extended-range engine means that the engine is not directly connected to the transmission system, but is connected to the lithium battery pack in the form of a generator, which enables the vehicle to have a higher endurance through power generation. Because the rotary engine has the characteristics of small volume and high output, compared with the traditional reciprocating piston engine, the PHEV model equipped with the rotary engine can enjoy greater advantages in terms of vehicle weight.
The rotary engine has the advantages of small volume, high power, high speed and power linearity. Its high fuel consumption, oil consumption, high emissions, and maintenance problems such as the need for regular replacement of the rotor seal are easy to deter car owners.
According to the relevant patent drawings filed by Mazda in the Japan Patent Office (Japan Patent Office), Mazda wants to place this rotary engine horizontally in the tail box of the electric vehicle, mainly to make the rotor in the extended-range rotary engine, in the limited area. The space can be fully lubricated by oil, and the luggage compartment space can still maintain a certain volume, and also maintain the low center of gravity of the body.
Judging from the patent map disclosed by the Japan Patent Office, the original Mazda factory intends to place the rotary engine horizontally in the tail box of the electric vehicle, mainly to allow the rotor in the extended-range rotary engine to obtain sufficient oil in a limited space. Lubricate, and still maintain a certain volume of luggage space, and also maintain the low center of gravity of the body. (Image source: https://ipforce.jp/patent-jp-B9-6390553)
The MX-30, released in 2020, is similar in positioning to the CX-3 and is a small crossover SUV. 30 EV Model pure electric vehicle. At present, Mazda has only officially confirmed that the MX-30 PHEV will debut before March 2023, but has not released any specifications. Subsequent U-CAR will continue to track and bring a complete report.
