If this guy at Seven Stock can fit a rotary in a Miata so can Mazda :)

Paul Lamar

John Dinkel wrote:

I don't think "fit" is the issue.  I think it has more to do with image and
price vs. the RX-8.  I'd look for a two-seater on the RX-8 platform, but I
also expect a new Miata off the same platform with a piston engine for
traditionalists and price considerations.
jd

OK... new market segment. "Traditionalists" People interested in retro
engines.
I guess there are also people out there that are still in the market for steam
powered cars :) Just kidding John.

They could play down the rotary engine and emphasize the increased
performance.
Most buyers would not know a rotary engine from a steam engine. That would get
the volume up on the engine and the price down. Surely with so few parts the
cost of the NA rotary engine can be brought down to near the cost of a 1.8 L
turbo four cylinder.

BTW did you catch Dave's second rotary powered airplane fly over at 3:30 PM?


Paul Lamar

John Dinkel wrote:

I would love nothing more than to see Mazda create more rotary-powered
vehicles.  Think about yesterday: R100s, RX2s 3s, 4s, Cosmos and pu trucks.

Today a BMW 3 series weighs around 3500 lb because of safety issues,  What's
an RX2 weigh?

The 2-rotor rotary lacks the torque needed for heavier applications.  It's
much more a sports car engine than a sedan engine.   Plus you've got the
fuel economy issue that is more easily addressed with piston engines.  I'd
love nothing more than a Mazda 5-series BMW killer sports sedan. But it
would need a three rotor to be competitive and I don't see Mazda doing that.
jd

Yes I do think about yesteryear. Back in 1973 or there about Mazda was 
building 200,000 rotary engines a year or so.

The development of the rotary is by no means static.
The electric turbo charger is going to address the torque problem nicely in addition
to all its other pollution and fuel consumption advantages. The rotary is ideal
for turbo charging as it has an inherent low compression ratio. If you attempt
to increase the compression ratio the shape of the combustion chamber
gets worse fast. 

Further on down the road with the addition of turbo compounding 
to the electric turbo charger the torque and HP will be increased with little
or no increase in fuel burn. In other words with computer control of the
electric turbo and the turbo compound CVT great things will happen without
going to the additional weight of a hybrid and all that implies with
cost and handling compromises. 

I am working on further details of the thrust bearings required for the 
first stage friction planetary reduction drive as we speak. This pack
of small diameter needle thrust bearings are required as large diameter needle 
bearings don't like high RPM.

Paul Lamar
 
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