New Rotary Confirmed

[52804x4]

A Mazda Speed CX-5 with a Rotary? Yeas please!! (yes, I know, pipe dream)

http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-shows/tokyo-auto-show/news/a27159/mazda-tokyo-rotary-concept/

 

[Srad600]

Live unveiling of the new car going on right now...l

http://insidemazda.mazdausa.com/mazda-news/mazda-new-sports-car-concept/

 

[Srad600]

Well, that was over fast. I do have some grainy screen shots I grabbed during the reveal. Looks nice...

 

[CC58]

I wanna see a rotary engine on a dirt bike. Those four stroke "thumpers" are terrible. Sure miss the two strokes.

 

[52804x4]

Well, that was over fast. I do have some grainy screen shots I grabbed during the reveal. Looks nice...

Yeah, I only caught the last 45sec or so. Definitely looks great!

 

[Kedis82ZE8]

I've never driven a rotary myself. My only memory is as a kid one of my dad's friends bought a new '79 RX-7.... ok.. in hindsight probably a dangerous situation but bike helmets weren't something I had heard of back then ... the first time I had been to around 90MPH and sitting in the back area and I don't think an RX-7 was a 2+2.

What attributes are most appealing? Is it the smoothness at such high RPMs?

 

[Unobtanium]

I really hope this car is in at least base C6/7 territory, performance/cost wise. If it is, I will "keep it in the family" and buy one once my CX-5 is paid off.

 

[MikeM.]

I wanna see a rotary engine on a dirt bike. Those four stroke "thumpers" are terrible. Sure miss the two strokes.

Ha! I started out on two-stroke singles over 35 years ago. I love the 4-stroke thumpers and would never go back. Better torque, more range, longer engine life, don't stink as bad and smoother powerband.

There have been at least three rotary powered motorcycles. A Suzuki, a Norton and some odd one-off machine. None of them garnered much support from motorcyclists. In fact, I believe the Suzuki was awarded one of the ten worst cycles of all time award by a major MC publication.

 

[Unobtanium]

Ha! I started out on two-stroke singles over 35 years ago. I love the 4-stroke thumpers and would never go back. Better torque, more range, longer engine life, don't stink as bad and smoother powerband.

There have been at least three rotary powered motorcycles. A Suzuki, a Norton and some odd one-off machine. None of them garnered much support from motorcyclists. In fact, I believe the Suzuki was awarded one of the ten worst cycles of all time award by a major MC publication.

...and now you know why I will never own a 2.0 Mazda CX-5. (although engine-life is probably comparable, and neither produce odor).

 

[Chris_Top_Her]

I've never driven a rotary myself. My only memory is as a kid one of my dad's friends bought a new '79 RX-7.... ok.. in hindsight probably a dangerous situation but bike helmets weren't something I had heard of back then ... the first time I had been to around 90MPH and sitting in the back area and I don't think an RX-7 was a 2+2.

What attributes are most appealing? Is it the smoothness at such high RPMs?

High power output for their size/weight (Naturally aspirated). And, you can add rotors to them to make even more power. Like adding 4 pistons to our motor.

750hp, single turbo, pump gas

450hp , NA engine itself about the same size as a 2.0/2.5 sky.

 

[paris1]

...and now you know why I will never own a 2.0 Mazda CX-5. (although engine-life is probably comparable, and neither produce odor).

????

 

[craigo]

There's no details about the drivetrain other than there's a rotary in there... I'm kind of holding out hope its a hybrid with a rotary range extender, which they built a working prototype of a couple years ago. That would solve some of the problems with efficiency and emissions as it just works at a constant rpm.

 

[MikeM.]

????

Some things are better left a mystery...

 

[magnumP5]

I've never driven a rotary myself. My only memory is as a kid one of my dad's friends bought a new '79 RX-7.... ok.. in hindsight probably a dangerous situation but bike helmets weren't something I had heard of back then ... the first time I had been to around 90MPH and sitting in the back area and I don't think an RX-7 was a 2+2.

What attributes are most appealing? Is it the smoothness at such high RPMs?

The first and second generation RX-7's had 2+2 options. At this point in technology the only benefits of a Wankel engine are smaller package, less moving parts, and smooth operation. There are more powerful, lighter, and more efficient naturally-aspirated 4-cylinder options out there nowadays.

High power output for their size/weight (Naturally aspirated). And, you can add rotors to them to make even more power. Like adding 4 pistons to our motor.

By today's standards they aren't all that powerful or particularly lightweight. You can get aluminum side housings from Racing Beat but they are insanely expensive. Also, adding rotors isn't nearly as easy as you think. Your only options are to find a used 20B or make your own with a custom eccentric shaft. Again, neither are cheap.

I understand Mazda's heritage with the Wankel engine but I just don't think it's the best option for a high-end sports car today. They'd be better off deriving a turbocharged SkyActiv powerplant or possibly developing a V6 with SkyActiv technology.

 

[Throttle Steer]

The torque of a hamster wheel and the fuel economy of a big block. What's not to like.

 

[Unobtanium]

The torque of a hamster wheel and the fuel economy of a big block. What's not to like.

It depends on the rotary. Also, TQ is over-rated. My 370Z was just as fast 0-60, 5-60, 1/4 mile, whatever as the C5 Corvette. Similar horsepower, VERY different torque. Gearing solves that issue.

 

[MikeM.]

The torque of a hamster wheel and the fuel economy of a big block. What's not to like.

That is a good summation of why rotary engines have not ever been anything but a small niche of the market.

 

[yrwei52]

The torque of a hamster wheel and the fuel economy of a big block. What's not to like.

That is a good summation of why rotary engines have not ever been anything but a small niche of the market.

Not only that, Mazda could never resolve the sealing issue for longevity on its Wankel engine hence caused excessive oil burning. I still remember an imagine of seeing a pile of broken rotary engines at a Mazda dealer's backyard in '90s!

 

[magnumP5]

Not only that, Mazda could never resolve the sealing issue for longevity on its Wankel engine hence caused excessive oil burning. I still remember an imagine of seeing a pile of broken rotary engines at a Mazda dealer's backyard in '90s!

They burn oil by design, not by fault. In order to lubricate the apex, corner, and side seals to prolong life oil is injected into the combustion chamber. Mazda greatly improved the oil injection system over the years but unfortunately it's a necessary aspect of life for the Wankel that unfortunately many owners did not understand. Hence, the pile of broken engines you saw.

 

[yrwei52]

Not only that, Mazda could never resolve the sealing issue for longevity on its Wankel engine hence caused excessive oil burning. I still remember an imagine of seeing a pile of broken rotary engines at a Mazda dealer's backyard in '90s!

They burn oil by design, not by fault. In order to lubricate the apex, corner, and side seals to prolong life oil is injected into the combustion chamber. Mazda greatly improved the oil injection system over the years but unfortunately it's a necessary aspect of life for the Wankel that unfortunately many owners did not understand. Hence, the pile of broken engines you saw.

Thanks for explanation as I was always wondering how those parts getting lubricated. In this case Wankel engine, like two-stroke engine, will have a hard time to pass current stricter emission standards!