TALAN7

Saw this on Rotary news, didn't see it here...interesting. If I was Mazda I would work with GM on this. Maybe the could collaborate on a series of rotary cars.

http://rotarynews.com/node/view/1097

Chad D.

iTrader: (19)

We will see how well they can screw that up too! I believe they were unable to put a Wankel into production before.

jasonrxeight

ok so they think they should use rotary because its cheap but who's gonna buy a 16mpg eco family car?

77mjd

I don't understand why they keep hyping this vehicle so much. It will not be affordable to 99% of the population.

Easy_E1

iTrader: (2)

Here we go again,,,

The XP-897GT Two-Rotor concept car appeared in 1973 as a showcase for GM's then-imminent Wankel-type rotary engine.

Bigbacon

iTrader: (4)

because people are stupid.

usnidc

It wouldn't be a 16mpg car. They are talking about a small one rotor motor to run a generator to recharge their batteries. In that application it would sip fuel, you could fine tune the oil consumption to be minimal and even run it on hydrogen. it would be small, light and almost maintenance free with only 2 moving parts.

An interesting idea actually.

Huey52

iTrader: (2)

Yep, the upcoming Audi electric is supposed to employ a single rotor gas engine exclusively as a generator motivator.

Glitched

I'd drive that.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Same concept as the Frazier Nash Namir. Tiny rotary with a tiny turbo on it providing electrical power to 2 electric motors per axle. 0-60 in 3.x seconds, 194mph top end, light chassis, and 97 mpg.


For a tiny engine running at a specific RPM as an electrical generator, the rotary is really ideal. Majority of the challenges with it are trying to get it usable over a wide range of RPMs.

If you add to that the potential of the 16x to use hydrogen, gas, or diesal, if they compact THAT design to a small rotary as an electrical generator capable of using any of the 3 fuels, it will gain lots of ground an popularity.


But I agree, I wonder how GM is going to screw it up.

mscamp02

iTrader: (3)

yes they are most likely wanting to much for the car 30k+ if I remember right, however it is a good design (in concept)

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Another manufacturer will take the same concept and do it better for cheaper.

The technology has existed for decades, it's powering modern locomotives, it's about time the auto manufacturers get on board.

VashGS

Maybe GM will go hydrogen Rotary? I do remember reading where they had purchased a license for the Wankel long time ago. A duel fuel gas / hydrogen would be awesome.

TALAN7

GM makes good engines. Their cars may have been questionable up until about 4-5 years ago but they are good now. I just want to see more rotary research that could help Mazda ultimately.

neit_jnf

rotary electric is the future!!!!

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/01/g...th-wankel-rot/


http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/03/g...r-by-giugiaro/

mscamp02

iTrader: (3)

I wouldnt say questionable up untill 4 5 years ago. What are you basing that on?

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

GM ? they failed 40-50 years ago on Wankel project.

they just gonna fail again.

yomomspimp06

gm=fail
if any american company will do it and sell it, it will be ford...look at their overall numbers versus other car manufacturers. Ford accept "bailout"? NO. Why? they didn't need it. The two companies that did on the other hand are doing what? still struggling. I wouldn't count on anyhting good from GM for a while. let me rephrase that. EVER. I dislike many of fords products but they run well as a business.

MazdaManiac

iTrader: (3)

46 moving parts, actually.

hornbm

iTrader: (1)

I guess if you count the seals and springs as moving parts. I wouldn't consider a piston ring a moving part even though it does technically move.

CrazyJek

Didn't having only one rotor spinning produce violent vibrations in the past... which is why they use two? It has been a long while since i brushed up on my history.

hornbm

iTrader: (1)

One rotor engines can be made smooth with counter balancing. Atkins has been making one rotor engines for years.

Granted it will never be as smooth as a 2 rotor, just as a 2 rotor will never be as smooth as a 3 rotor.

TALAN7

I had a 2000 Buick Regal. It was a good car and it gave me way less problems than my 8 but it had a lot of fit and finish and rattling issues. The newer cars are much better I now have a 2010 Buick Lacrosse and it feels much better. Somewhere between 2000 and 2010 their cars got much better and I think they will continue still.

ZippySLC

Because even they acknowledged it:

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE4B738W20081208