Just for discussion's sake, if Mazda R&D had a 3-year, $50 million gift to refine the rotary engine, what do you think would be possible?

 

239hp and 160ft lbs and 25 hw mpg.

 

problem is they stuck with 1300cc too long.. there needs to be some higher reving smaller displacement 500-700cc two rotors, and there needs to be some 4 liter or 5 liter 3 rotors, and the R and D on those could yeild.... alot of money spent.

 

I think the Renny's a marvelous engine. Just curious about how it might evolve with massive R&D, is all. But make no mistake; I'm quite happy with the engine as it is. The way I rev it, I have no need for more HP or torque. Got more than enough!

 

I would like to see a 2 liter two rotor.

 

An onboard computer that automatically searches this forum when the engine is underperforming. Or when the user is underperforming on basic maintenance.

 

Close. I'd bet on a 1.6L 260hp (crank), 180ftlbs, 8,000rpm redline, 35mpg, Euro emissions certified.

I wouldn't be shocked if they already have this, just not enough time/funding for the car itself while they get the rest of the fleet updated after the big crash.

Or a diesel version for 240hp crank, 240ftlbs, 7,000-ish redline, 40mpg, no OMP system needed (diesel IS an oil after all)


Sound like the numbers are too low to be good? too poor? Remember Mazda's vehicle weight direction. Stick it in a 2,400lb ND chassis for better than 10:1 p/w. It will do just fine.


Justification? They already have "piston-like" sealing capability. They have narrower rotors, greater eccentricity, proven diesel usage, best cat techonology post-rx-8, all alunimum engines, sky-active tech to leverage, etc etc etc. Add to that their laser ignition work, lightweight chassis, significant drivetrain loss reduction, and anything else that the brilliantly nutty engineers can develop with enthusiastic backing from a board that loves to do what the world says they shouldn't.

Totally possible.

 

Very interesting point

 

Really this imo - the biggest weakness is the spark plug hole being too large and allowing for part of the mixture to pass from the compressing chamber to the exhausting chamber when the apex passes the spark plug hole (apex seal is skinnier than the hole, leaving a cavity)

Laser ignition would allow for the size of this cavity to be reduced and minimize/eliminate this detrimental effect. Also laser ignition wouldn't foul like spark plugs.

https://youtu.be/m3pCLjHZmhM