http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/28/r...lt-competitor/

I'm guessing this is a big, fat myth. But I posted it anyway.

Here's the original article:

http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsAr...llCars/234607/

 

read somewhere a while back that they used a rotary in the mazda5 because they were able to tune it to be efficient at a constant RPM for running a generator. not sure if it was true but I did read it somewhere.

 

if thats true, that would make sense. it makes a lot of power for such a small engine. it would fit well in an econocar.

 

yes, the rotary is ideal for running at a set rpm for a looooong time and be very efficient at it too.

 

I've often wondered why Mazda hasn't (apparently) tested out a 1-rotor 'economy' vehicle. It would be even lighter, and granted, while around half the power of the 8, it should produce significantly better mileage, while retaining the rotory power curve shape.

I don't think any sports car enthusiasts would go for it, but I could see a market for a small $18,000 - $24,000 120hp, 2200lb(?), 35-45mpg economy car with excellent balance, driver involvement, and a rotory power curve. Primarily among drivers that consider themselves thrifty, but love driving, or even more, as the first car for the kids of rotorheads.

(I know if such a car was available, it would be the 'first car' that I would get for my kids, get them into rotory, without the power and speed of the 8 as an added danger, but with modern safety technology)

It would probably push rotory popularity more than the 8 is.

Edit:
Or perhaps a rotory half the size? 7b anyone? Should accomplish approximately the same thing, but smooth out the power band more than a 1-rotor. I don't know enough about the inner workings of a rotory that would be for or against either option, but I have to believe that our poor gas mileage is a resulting effect from pumping out so much power from such a small package. Reduce the power tune and the efficiency should climb quite quickly, my 2 ideas are just pointing that direction. Again, not for the 8, but a economy Mazda that would appeal more to the masses, and promote rotory appeal across the board

 

A one rotor engine may have some balance issues. The only way to correct that would be a heavy flywheel. If I am correct, it would be better to use that weight in a second rotor.

 

1 rotor engines exist. They just have a different counterweight. You are correct though in that the more rotors you have, the smoother it is. I'd rather see a small 2 rotor.

 

I sure there is a minimum size to the rotors, due to the drive shaft if nothing else, but my mind kept going, into a 700cc 3-rotor, then to a 300cc 2-rotor, thinking about use for home power generators (i would SOOO buy one)...and then it made the leap to a 300cc 2-rotor for each wheel... talk about true all wheel drive?

A bit out there, but i can see it happening that eventually someone will design a car with 1 small engine per wheel. You distribute the weight of the engine perfectly among the wheels, on top of retaining perfect control over the speed of each wheel between power and brakes, without the massive power loss and weight of existing AWD systems. Granted, the complications of fuel delivery, cooling, and exhaust are multiplied, but hardly impossible.

 

^they are doing it with elect motors in each wheel. it would be cool to be able to pick what drive train setup you want to run based on weather etc... well what do I want today FWD, RWD, or AWD?

 

The biggest issue with all of that Worms is from my understanding rotaries will never be as fuel efficient as piston engines simply because more fuel has to be injected to assure the proper combustion because of the shape/design of the rotor combustion. I'm sure they could make a more efficient small 2-rotor car which has the nice power curve we know and love, but the market would probably be even smaller than the target market for the 8.

If I am incorrect in my understanding I'm sure someone can elucidate us.

 

I think using the rotary as a generator to charge batteries is an excellent idea, quiet and smooth and configured to a certain RPM range. Its compact size to power ratio makes it an excellent package IMHO. I promise nobody would be complaining about lack of torque

 

That would be so awesome, a 700cc rotary engine in each wheel...

 

not exactly quiet.