Mazda RX-VISION Concepts
#51
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Hey...if they could only get 250hp out of a new rotary, I'd be ok with that. In my mind, all they need to do right now is put out something better than the Toyobaru Twins since there is really no other competition, especially knowing that the Z is now likely on the way out.
#52
Hey...if they could only get 250hp out of a new rotary, I'd be ok with that. In my mind, all they need to do right now is put out something better than the Toyobaru Twins since there is really no other competition, especially knowing that the Z is now likely on the way out.
#53
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That's one thing that for-sure won't happen. The emissions and economy challenges come from the way the rotary works; namely intake/exhaust overlap and poor thermal efficiency. Those problems are compounded when you add more rotors. They are improved when you take away rotors or make the rotors bigger like in the 16x. In the unlikely event we see another rotary sports car I think it will still be a two rotor of the same or larger diameter as the 13B/RENESIS.
#54
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Yeah. I don't agree with the naysayers that insist it can't or won't happen, but I also don't agree with the people that get all excited and push for performance numbers that would push the car significantly outside of where Mazda has always been with road car performance, and/or into cost ranges that are approaching or surpassing double their current highest priced car. That just isn't reasonable at all.
a 200-220hp 2-rotor engine (detuned for longer lifespans, remember how the 100hp 13b has no problem topping 200,000 miles), and in a 2,500-2,600lb car would be roughly what I'd expect. Mazda won't want a sports car as heavy as the RX-8, their entire corporate direction is lighter lighter lighter, and in order to stay in the ~12-14lbs / hp range that they almost always have, that means the engine peak power drops correspondingly, which in turn drops the weight of things like drivetrain parts and brakes, and the engine power reduction also has significant financial gains in warranty/repair/lifespan/reliability/public-perception areas, plus a cheaper more affordable car for the public to buy. All good things for the company.
I'm positive that if anyone wants a higher power option, Mazda will be content to let them figure that out on their own dollar, footing their own repair costs, etc... It simply doesn't make sense for Mazda to produce a car with 300hp or more in a car with 2,700lbs or less, priced at a point where far less people can even buy it, with a greater headache, financial cost, and larger PR problem around warranty and repairs. Sure, it looks good in magazines, but again, pointing you back to the 2016 ND. They said they never once set performance benchmarks, never once tested a 0-60, never once put it on the skid pad for G numbers. Mazda just won't build a sports car to that level, or if they do, it will be a limited Mazdaspeed run, and not at all the base model.
a 200-220hp 2-rotor engine (detuned for longer lifespans, remember how the 100hp 13b has no problem topping 200,000 miles), and in a 2,500-2,600lb car would be roughly what I'd expect. Mazda won't want a sports car as heavy as the RX-8, their entire corporate direction is lighter lighter lighter, and in order to stay in the ~12-14lbs / hp range that they almost always have, that means the engine peak power drops correspondingly, which in turn drops the weight of things like drivetrain parts and brakes, and the engine power reduction also has significant financial gains in warranty/repair/lifespan/reliability/public-perception areas, plus a cheaper more affordable car for the public to buy. All good things for the company.
I'm positive that if anyone wants a higher power option, Mazda will be content to let them figure that out on their own dollar, footing their own repair costs, etc... It simply doesn't make sense for Mazda to produce a car with 300hp or more in a car with 2,700lbs or less, priced at a point where far less people can even buy it, with a greater headache, financial cost, and larger PR problem around warranty and repairs. Sure, it looks good in magazines, but again, pointing you back to the 2016 ND. They said they never once set performance benchmarks, never once tested a 0-60, never once put it on the skid pad for G numbers. Mazda just won't build a sports car to that level, or if they do, it will be a limited Mazdaspeed run, and not at all the base model.
#55
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Regarding port overlap:
I've often been curious about Mazda developing "Variable valve timing" for the rotary, to change the port characteristics dynamically. I'd expect there would be very noticeable gains in power, efficiency, and emissions if they could. It certainly would add more moving parts to the engine, reducing the simplicity for sure, but the gains could be worth that.
I've often been curious about Mazda developing "Variable valve timing" for the rotary, to change the port characteristics dynamically. I'd expect there would be very noticeable gains in power, efficiency, and emissions if they could. It certainly would add more moving parts to the engine, reducing the simplicity for sure, but the gains could be worth that.
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There are dynamic intake valves, but not actual dynamic port valves. The ports in the irons stays the same shape regardless of RPM and flow. I'm referring to a changing port shape/position based on RPM and flow, which would function as variable valve lift, duration, etc... in an overhead valve piston engine.
#58
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Back in 2010 Mitsuo Hitomi, general manager of Mazda's powertrain division, said that the 16X was more fuel efficient than the non-Skyactiv 2 liter piston engine, even though there were problems meeting emission standards.
If one of the two main problems reported here (economy and emissions) had already been solved 5 years ago, then the other one could have been solved since then as well.
If one of the two main problems reported here (economy and emissions) had already been solved 5 years ago, then the other one could have been solved since then as well.
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2012:
Mazda Design Breakthrough May Give Rotary New Life | Vehicles & Technology content from WardsAuto
(and incomplete burns cause further emissions problems, so they are hand in hand here)
The information nuggets about the development of the engine are out there if you look for them mixed in with all the rumor mill stuff.
Mazda Design Breakthrough May Give Rotary New Life | Vehicles & Technology content from WardsAuto
By changing the shape of the troichoid housing, the seals remain flush to the housing, Hitomi says. “In addition to reducing emissions, better sealing improves fuel economy and overall performance.”
A second engineering enhancement focuses on ignition.
“I can’t specify how we plan to address this problem,” the Mazda engineer says, “but the rotary’s spark plug is in a recessed position (below the housing surface), compared to that of a piston engine.
“This causes ignitability problems and increases fuel consumption. We’ve found a way to make dramatic improvements,” he says.
“I can’t specify how we plan to address this problem,” the Mazda engineer says, “but the rotary’s spark plug is in a recessed position (below the housing surface), compared to that of a piston engine.
“This causes ignitability problems and increases fuel consumption. We’ve found a way to make dramatic improvements,” he says.
The information nuggets about the development of the engine are out there if you look for them mixed in with all the rumor mill stuff.
#60
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There are dynamic intake valves, but not actual dynamic port valves. The ports in the irons stays the same shape regardless of RPM and flow. I'm referring to a changing port shape/position based on RPM and flow, which would function as variable valve lift, duration, etc... in an overhead valve piston engine.
Timing isn't changed as-is, true. But put an SSV-like valve on the primary ports and then timing becomes variable too. Albeit in one big step unless more ports and valves are added.
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Yes, i'm fully aware of how the port's actual available open area does change as the rotor changes it's position across it. But that shape is still entirely fixed to one sequence. Making it variable would have gains. The simple fact that different porting work can move the torque peak around as the shape is changed proves that.
Blocking or introducing an entire port airflow as a means of making it "dynamic" is certainly something that they do, but that doesn't actually close up that gap to what would be optimal.
Blocking or introducing an entire port airflow as a means of making it "dynamic" is certainly something that they do, but that doesn't actually close up that gap to what would be optimal.
#62
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I really don't think the Mazda rotary needs yet another sliding interface to try and seal. Seals are at the root of most of the reliability, economy, and emissions problems we already have. You've seen what happens to the SSV when it gets caked with carbon. Can you imagine what would happen to a sliding port valve?
Multiple ports with control valves is the best approximation of variable ports the way-smarter-than-we-are engineers at Mazda could come up with. I'm sure they have thought about and maybe even tried a sliding port valve or some other method of changing the actual physical shape of the ports.
Multiple ports with control valves is the best approximation of variable ports the way-smarter-than-we-are engineers at Mazda could come up with. I'm sure they have thought about and maybe even tried a sliding port valve or some other method of changing the actual physical shape of the ports.
Last edited by wankelbolt; 09-23-2015 at 03:08 PM.
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Last edited by Love_Hounds; 09-24-2015 at 08:51 AM.
#71
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IMO laser ignition is probably what will spur the rotary back into a production vehicle. The new laser plugs will last longer on higher compression. In addition, igniting the air fuel mixture from the center will increase how efficiently and evenly the mixture burns. Rotary engine emissions suffer because of the longer chamber being unable to ignite fully and properly. Ignition seems to be the one piece of the puzzle that hasn't been upgraded in most vehicles yet. The technology is being pursued, advances have been made, its simply a matter of time before it is figured out.
#72
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Looks like a laser manufacturer has demonstrated a prototype engine using laser ignition this year. More here.
#73
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Thanks guys for speaking up with hard facts and good reasoning to back up my passion and Mazda's track record of improving and keeping the rotary alive through every new emissions standard , every engineering hurdle, and corporate cafe quota since 1967. Some of you are too young to be believers and others are too blind to recognize Mazda's uniqueness in the way they see cars and put drivers and pure driving first, above all else. Its Mazda smallness and niche building that allow it to think outside the box of the minds of the big car companies. That is why Toyota wants to partner with Mazda. Mazda is punching far above its weight, and as long as they can continue record profits they WILL have the money to make that next rotary.
Sure the worldwide car market is always evolving and competition is tough, but the spirit of the folks at Mazda will always be to innovate and advance technologies and to be a leader, not a follower.
A new RX with improved fuel economy, improved emissions, ignition , lightweight and powerful will always have a market and buyers. I have counted on Mazda to re-imagine and reinvent its baby (as only it can) for the past 43 years I have been driving rotaries , and Mazda has never let me down.
One quote from a recent Car and Driver comparison test of small SUVs: "It’s this insistence on perfection in all things big and small that gives the CX-3 the win; its maker’s sixth straight comparison-test victory. We’re witnessing the birth of a new dominant species all right—not necessarily the subcompact crossover, but Mazda. "
This is the company that has the will and the vision to pull of another RX. Bring it on !
Sure the worldwide car market is always evolving and competition is tough, but the spirit of the folks at Mazda will always be to innovate and advance technologies and to be a leader, not a follower.
A new RX with improved fuel economy, improved emissions, ignition , lightweight and powerful will always have a market and buyers. I have counted on Mazda to re-imagine and reinvent its baby (as only it can) for the past 43 years I have been driving rotaries , and Mazda has never let me down.
One quote from a recent Car and Driver comparison test of small SUVs: "It’s this insistence on perfection in all things big and small that gives the CX-3 the win; its maker’s sixth straight comparison-test victory. We’re witnessing the birth of a new dominant species all right—not necessarily the subcompact crossover, but Mazda. "
This is the company that has the will and the vision to pull of another RX. Bring it on !
Good on you GW!!...
I love your passion for Mazda's and anything RE.
YOU are the customers Mazda really does respect and will always do the right thing for you....always.
I certainly do not need to lecture you, but any owner who has a good relationship (long) with their car dealer will ensure they are looked after in the event of anything going physically wrong.
This is precisely how Mazda Australia and their private Retail Dealerships operate here and why the brand is the most successful one in the worlds largest and saturated market, no where else will you see over 65 different car makes for sale offering new cars.
Again why Mazda Australia has Dealers who have maintain their businesses for over 40 years and don't or wont sell any other make.
Mazda are not like 'other' car makers, they will not churn out cars which do not have a purpose, I can not think of any Mazda model which have been known as 'duds or lemons' from day one of production...perhaps a few Ford induced models (maybe).
Keep up your passion M8.................
Ash
#74
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All new Mazda EX-2
This is the rumour coming out for the Tokyo Motor show next month.
YES there will be an all new Mazda Rotary Concept.
Not certain on what platform this model will be off, my guess is the Mazda 3.
It will be essentially an electrically driven 4 seater vehicle, with a small Rotary Engine as a back up Generator supplier, similar to the Mazda Demio/ Mazda 2 EV.
It will be called a Mazda EX-2, E is for Electric, like R is for Rotary.
X is for experiment.
Anyway, while this is Interesting, it is not a RX- model.
It is not a Rotary Engine powered Sports Car.
Interesting times, we will see.
None are production ready at all.
Even the Koeru (whatever) thing was a mock up with NO opening doors or physically interior design,
this is/was rumoured to be a all new CUV, called a Mazda CX-4, as a 5 seater and off the CX-5 platform, a sportier CX-5.
YES there will be an all new Mazda Rotary Concept.
Not certain on what platform this model will be off, my guess is the Mazda 3.
It will be essentially an electrically driven 4 seater vehicle, with a small Rotary Engine as a back up Generator supplier, similar to the Mazda Demio/ Mazda 2 EV.
It will be called a Mazda EX-2, E is for Electric, like R is for Rotary.
X is for experiment.
Anyway, while this is Interesting, it is not a RX- model.
It is not a Rotary Engine powered Sports Car.
Interesting times, we will see.
None are production ready at all.
Even the Koeru (whatever) thing was a mock up with NO opening doors or physically interior design,
this is/was rumoured to be a all new CUV, called a Mazda CX-4, as a 5 seater and off the CX-5 platform, a sportier CX-5.
#75
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Presumably with a laser there just needs to be a small optical window. If that window is flush with the housing surface it would eliminate blowby completely, improving emissions and economy. The apex seal would "wipe" the window with every pass (which wouldn't happen in a pissed-on engine, so presumably the window is self-cleaning just from the laser energy alone).