Here's my Opinion on the Mazda's 2023 Rotary Engine

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[vaultdweller]

The rotary is smaller, lighter, and makes a good amount of power for the generator so in my opinion it’s a good move.

[Kevin_C]

Using a rotary engine as a range extender is genius since the engine is super light, compact, and powerful for its size. It also wouldn't have the vibrations of a piston engine.

Yes, it's not what car enthusiasts want but it's a pretty practical way of using a rotary engine.

[lukeberry]

I remember talking to a Mazda engineer, interestingly, when at constant revs, a rotary is significantly more fuel efficient than a piston engine. So it makes sense for it to be used in this application

[chainblayde]

Could allow more exposure to rotary from manufacturing to mechanics leading to more innovations that might push it to seriously compete with piston engines.

[evanleo]

rotary is very similar to turbine engine, they are very efficient at constant RPM which make them perfect for generators (range extender) meanwhile piston engines are more efficient at variable RPM

[dmandman]

If it's durable, it's a great move because is small and will save space.

[ivantuma]

probably 500lb weight savings with a range of an 80kwh battery pack. Depending on driving style, many people will wear out the car at over 250k miles before the ICE gets 100K miles on it (a typical case for a poorly maintained rotary to go out at). plus I really like the simple packaging.

[lafayettehighball]

Those saying its lighter and smaller. It doesnt appear to be in the clip (I know part of that is the generator), but could anyone give a source where the weight is shown?

[georgechristaki]

Facts. Their tryna make it stand out but unless they develop off of it and apply it to their other model (and potentially make it be the main drivetrain), its a gimmick more than anything.

[nuxter]

I don't quite get the idea behind a range extender in an EV in the first place.. Could someone explain to me why we're replacing a gasoline engine with an electric engine only to put a gas engine in with it? No hate, but it simply doesn't make much sense to me that we're adding another level of complexity and weight to EVs..

[decimalauthor]

I wonder if you could find a scrap one and pull the rotary out and use it? They should definitely release more rotary engines though because i NEED

[vthegoose]

I love rotaries, they’re funky little things, but the optimal solution is a really small diesel, perhaps a 1l 3cyl

[lafayettehighball]

They put it in a crossover duv first because that is what sales best. Crossovers usually sale well regardless what they are and how they are powered. They may be using it as a test bed idk.

[GgRae-gvtg]

The rotary engine is smaller, with high output. It seems like it's more suited for driving a generator in a hybrid arrangement. At a constant RPM which is optimum for a generator, this could be super efficient.

[brendanjones]

Isn't the rotary engine the 2nd most inefficient gas engine produced ? Right behind 2 stroke engines. If that's true it's application contradicts using it in an EV. Anyone else agree ?

[Spac]

I understand your point, but I think it could potentially be a clever move, and a ray of hope for re-development of the rotary.

I say this partly because one of the main points of a rotary is often overlooked. They are tiny, have less moving parts than a piston engine and weigh less. Ideal for a range extender.

They have a habit of being polluting, but clearly the perks, and as you say, the marketability, were enough to make them take this path and find a way to modernise it and use it.

Its a shame the marketability probably drove it, but its nice the rotary is being kept alive. I bet there's a lot of happy engineers in Mazda. Maybe as they've been able to make it cleaner, we'll get a rotary in an MX-5 or something one day?!?

Mazda have done some interesting stuff with the whole Skyactiv path, and have bucked the "turbo" trend in a lot of ways. I like that they're also bucking the trend in regards to EV/Hybrids's too, A hybrid the way Toyota does it is pointless, Mazda's way makes more sense, said it for years, EV eith range extender, like an i3 but better.

I don't like EV's, but one that uses electric only to drive that you can charge OR fill with fuel seems a lot more attractive than a "normal" EV.

😃

[claudiogiovingo]

The only reason is space and weight, burning more fuel for extra weight could be worst in pollution than this tiny engine for being rotative, so think it better

[jonathanboisvert]

very powerful for its compact size and very very low vibration... sound like the perfec motor for this application

[paulmatyas]

The motor is a lot lighter than a piston motor fewer moving parts and the fact that you're not going to be horsing on that motor it'll probably last a lot longer than a normal rotary motor I think it was a great idea only time will tell

[wild_lee_coyote]

Rotary engines are very compact and have few moving parts. This does make them very good candidates for motor generators, or range extenders. I honestly think this is the way to go since the rotary is only used when it is needed. When it is not needed, the rotary is much lighter than other ICE’s that would also just be dead weight when not being used.