manimal
Lifer
- Mar 30, 2007
- 13,560
- 8
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I'm guessing the next time (if) we see a rotary from Mazda again it will probably be in a hybrid
I remember reading a while back about them working on an experimental next gen rotary, for a non-direct drive hybrid car (what the Volt was originally marketed to be)
Claiming that a lot of the problems of the rotary engine (poor fuel consumption, oil consumption) aren't problems if it's tuned around a constant RPM/load scenario, and there the light weight and small package would really shine for recharging some batteries
Don't forget how much the recall hurt the RX-8 brand... handing out new engines like candy. I definitely think FI is the way to go for Mazda but they would have to do some legwork to win over people who got screwed by the RX-8
really good points!
your comment about the hybrid wankel intrigues me thought it doesnt fix the inherent issues with the seals like Phuc mentioned.
I really dont see it worth the engineering expenditure if there isnt gonna be either a race application or extensive market penetration in multiple cars.
Yotta is spot on about the engine issues suffered and the resulting blowback no two stroke pun intended. Mazda as a performance brand was ruined for a decade or more.