http://www.roadandtrack.com/future-cars/2014-mazda-rx-8

  Marc Wiese

  2014 Mazda RX-8 - New and Future Cars
  We have confirmation from various sources in Japan that Mazda is
indeed
working on the next-generation rotary engine dubbed the 16X.

  By Sam Mitani

  February 7, 2011

  "Also, we heard that the engine will feature some form of assist,
though we?re not certain exactly what that will be."

  If we are lucky it could be a turbo compound.
  If not lucky an electric motor :)

  Paul Lamar

Most likely a direct inject hydrogen or HOOH.
I'll try to get one next year. Now if I could only convince
Mitsubishi to make larger reversed turbine we'd be there.

Doug in Japan.

I think your MAC computer is converting incoming plain text
messages to html Doug. Then you are adding a new plain text
message on the bottom.  It creates havoc on this end. Please
set your incoming to convert to plain text. If possible on a MAC.

I don't think it is going to be hydrogen.
Half the range and no trunk space. A 10% power
penalty as well. Also no distribution infra structure.
Not to mention it takes a lot of energy to make hydrogen
and atomic power plants have a dubious future in Japan.

There is a Mazda tech paper out on the subject SAE 925011.
I did not scan it yet because the results were so
impractical.

The RX16 R&T press release is referring to acceleration
assist. Not a change of fuel type. One of the problems of
the rotary for car use is low RPM torque or lack there of.
People in the U.S. are used to a huge engines that have
grunt. My suggestion is a Formula 1 quick shifting paddle
shifter transmission that would make the rotary powered
car more fun to drive and much easier to shift down
when acceleration was needed.

Paul Lamar


I would think the "boost" will be a hybrid style with regenerative
braking and
engine stop. They will also incorporate their Sky technology as applied
to the
gas and diesel (oops, compression ignition) engines. They also have the
Sky
Drive stuff they are working on, for the transmissions. The electric
motor
boost would not be too bad, if also incorporated with a power recovery
turbine. The one bit of released information stated "no more turbo
chargers",
which would eliminate the idea of power recovery. Things do have a
tendency to
change though.

Dale Davies


Paul,

If its for acceleration assist, and re-gen braking then a small suitcase
size
battery makes sense.
We will order a 1300 hybrid Honda Life (1400cc Jazz in USA)  if we decide
to
stay in Japan.
I test drove it and performance is incredible.  Battery weight is
negligible.
This note sent using Western ISO Latin 1 setting.  Hope it's Ok.


Doug in Japan

That seemed to be OK but I think the font is the least of our problems.

I hybrids are OK if the battery is charged. The problems come climbing a
long
hill or passing on two lane roads when the battery becomes discharged.

The other problems are handling and ride because of the narrow high
pressure tires.

In the case of the Prius many features of the car itself contribute
to the good gas mileage. Low aero drag factor, light weight materials
and hard low rolling resistance tires. If you apply those features to
any car with the same size engine it will improve the gas mileage
with out the cost and weight of the batteries and the electric motor.

I don't know about the Honda Life. Is there a non hybrid version?
If so how do all the performance and cost specs compare?

If you spend enough on materials (read carbon fiber) and focus on lowering
the drag any car will get better gas mileage. Tire rolling resistance and
cornering ability are at odds.

Paul Lamar.



The best low rpm power booster is a positive displacement supercharger.  It
would be the least costly, most compact and effective.  With bypass and/or
clutch there is little if any cost in fuel .  The amount of energy
recovered from regen is not worth the cost and weight of the system in an
IC powered vehicle; electric powered, yes.  It is trendy though.
Murry I. Rozansky