Submitted via IRC for AndyTheAbsurd
Mazda Motor Corp said it would become the world's first automaker to commercialize a much more efficient petrol engine using technology that deep-pocketed rivals have been trying to engineer for decades, a twist in an industry increasingly going electric.
The new compression ignition engine is 20 percent to 30 percent more fuel efficient than the Japanese automaker's current engines and uses a technology that has eluded the likes of Daimler AG and General Motors Co.
Mazda, with a research and development (R&D) budget a fraction of those of major peers, said it plans to sell cars with the new engine from 2019.
"It's a major breakthrough," said Ryoji Miyashita, chairman of automotive engineering company AEMSS Inc.
[...] A homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engine ignites petrol through compression, eliminating spark plugs. Its fuel economy potentially matches that of a diesel engine without high emissions of nitrogen oxides or sooty particulates.
[...] AEMSS' Miyashita said a key issue would be how smooth and responsive the engine is.
"Is it jerky? If so, that would pose a big question when it comes to commercializing this technology." he said. "Hopefully Mazda has an answer to that question."
Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mazda-strategy-idUSKBN1AO0E7
(Score: 3, Insightful) by mechanicjay on Thursday August 10 2017, @05:38PM (1 child)
So, I'm as big of a Rotary fanboy as you'll ever meet. Here's the thing, all the classic advantages of a rotary, Flat torque curve, great power/displacement ratio, etc, are no longer unique advantages. Piston Engine development has completely overcome those particular short comings. Variable Valve Timing took care of the torque curve issue. A combination of High compression, DI, and turbo have done in the power/displacement argument advantage.
That Mazda achieved what it did with the Wankle, alone on their shoe-string budget is nothing short of astounding, but I think that ship has truly sailed. The RENESIS Rotary in the Rx-8 was an amazing modernization of the design...Remember the Rx-8 engine produced as much power NA as the 3rd Gen Rx-7 did with TWIN Turbos. If Wankel's had the same industry-wide R&D as standard piston engines, would they still be able to compete? Probably, but modern piston engines are just too damn good to bother.
The ONE advantage that Rotary engines still have is smoothness, especially at high RPM. The faster a Rotary spins the more stable it becomes (which is really a revelation for people the first time they drive one). 1st time drivers of my car will end up cruising at 6000 rpm without realizing it it's so damn smooth. Pulling off a series of redline shifts in a rotary is still an experience unmatched in any piston powered car I've ever driven.
My VMS box beat up your Windows box.
(Score: 2) by turgid on Friday August 11 2017, @09:29AM
Power to weight ratio? Wankels are good for aircraft.
I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent [wikipedia.org].