Mazda Technology Briefing 2018 – rotary engine in EVs detailed; next-gen Mazda 3 to debut in November?

Mazda Technology Briefing 2018 – rotary engine in EVs detailed; next-gen Mazda 3 to debut in November?

Mazda has provided further details about its roadmap during a technology briefing recently, where it touched upon topics relating to its ‘Sustainable Zoom-Zoom 2030’ long-term vision. This includes the return of the rotary engine as a range extender for electric vehicles (which it calls xEV), among other things.

As a brief recap, the Japanese automaker has already spoken at length about some of the new technologies on its way, including the SkyActiv-X compression ignition engine, SkyActiv-Vehicle Architecture and the second stage of its Kodo design philosophy.

The company is aiming to reduce carbon emissions from its vehicles by as much as 50% from 2010 levels by the year 2030, and 90% by 2050. Even so, the company doesn’t believe that the internal combustion engine (ICE) will go away anytime soon, hence it is not budging from its goal to perfect it further. This includes participating in the research of algae biofuel with academics and the Tokyo Institute of Technology.

Following the commercialisation of the SkyActiv-X engine, all new Mazda cars will feature some form of electrification, with 95% of them being hybrid models, while the remaining 5% are pure electric vehicles (EVs). Such a move is necessary in markets such as the United States, Europe and China, where stricter emissions regulations are gradually coming into effect.

Mazda says its EV will be developed fully in-house following three important concepts, with the first being the “joy of driving.” We’ve heard plenty of the company’s ‘Jinba-Ittai’ philosophy and it intends to realise a feeling of unity between its battery-powered EVs and the driver.

One way to do so is by adapting its G-Vectoring Control (GVC) technology to its EVs. In cars powered by an ICE, GVC controls vehicle behaviour by reducing engine torque slightly but for EVs, the system works with the car’s regenerative braking system instead. The EVs will also receive the brand’s latest GVC Plus torque vectoring by brake technology that is found in the latest CX-5.

Moving on to the major talking point, the rotary engine. We’ve already been told the rotary will be used as a range extender, but why? As Mazda explains, the revolving motion of the rotor allows the engine to be integrated with an electric motor which has a similar rotational structure. This makes for a more compact and lightweight unit compared to using a reciprocating engine, allowing for more freedom in designing the motor room layout

Furthermore, rotary engines do not have an engine valve system, is well balanced, offers smooth combustion and has a simple structure. These characteristics result in low vibrations and noises generated across frequencies in terms of in-car NVH.

According to Mazda, the rotary engine will form the base of its xEVs, and with different combinations of generators, batteries and fuel tank sizes, enables the company to offer different types of xEVs (series hybrid, plug-in hybrid and range-extender hybrids) using the same vehicle packaging.

This flexibility allows different degrees of electrification to be introduced depending on the energy mix of each region. For instance, countries that generate their electricity from clean energy sources but lack charging infrastructure would find it beneficial to get a range extender option. Meanwhile, countries that rely on thermal plants would find plug-in hybrids and series hybrids as more advantageous in terms of reducing CO2 emissions on a well-to-wheel basis.

Mazda Technology Briefing 2018 – rotary engine in EVs detailed; next-gen Mazda 3 to debut in November?

Mazda also claims its rotary engine is compatible with a diverse range of fuels, including liquified petroleum gas (LPG), compressed natural gas (CNG) and even hydrogen, further widening its application. The company says that its rotary-equipped EV will be able to function as a generator during emergency situations, powered by easy-to-find LPG.

On the topic of connectivity, future vehicles will offer smartphone-like digital conveniences that are backed by telematics services and on-board communication devices that leverage on its alliance with Toyota.

As for when we will see these technologies, Mazda says it has already begun work on its EV, with first test drives slated for next year ahead of a target market launch around 2020. The more interesting mention is the “leadoff batter” in its next-generation line-up, which will be a model that incorporates some of the technology mentioned. Previous reports hint at the model being the all-new Mazda 3, but we will only find out more during the Los Angeles Auto Show in November.

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Gerard Lye

Originating from the corporate world with a background in finance and economics, Gerard’s strong love for cars led him to take the plunge into the automotive media industry. It was only then did he realise that there are more things to a car than just horsepower count.

 

Comments

  • Tax Evasion on Oct 12, 2018 at 5:09 pm

    Mazda Toyota Honda all can close shop soon . Geely is overnight a national car with tax break.. even though it’s CKD like you guys

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 34
    • John Fake News Sdn Bhd on Oct 12, 2018 at 5:51 pm

      China is clever. They managed to go through the backdoor and get benefits and tax incentives and bash Toyota, Honda and Nissan in Malaysia.

      Again, Proton has sold the country. Guess who loses when Nissan, Honda, and Toyota suffer? Government gets less corporate tax because of their lower sales.

      Thank Proton for screwing Malaysians again

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
    • ganni on Oct 12, 2018 at 5:54 pm

      Vote Mazda for new national car project (NNCP) …

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 2
    • Honda Salesman always bash Proton on Oct 12, 2018 at 6:27 pm

      Habislah Honda models and Honda can close shop

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
    • Chavez on Oct 12, 2018 at 6:41 pm

      Deswai DRB lastime better collabo PSA peugeot

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • ipad Xs on Oct 12, 2018 at 5:16 pm

    rotary engine as electric generator very efficient and frugal…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 0
    • Rightwinger on Oct 12, 2018 at 9:50 pm

      I think that’s the way forward for internal combustion engine, regardless of format, as a range extender

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
    • thepolygon on Oct 15, 2018 at 10:32 am

      It could very well replaced those noisy generators in pasar malam if the NVH of the rotary is as what they claimed. Anyway, in Malaysia, the most applicable hybrid tech should be the range extenders… you get the EV drive without much worry about where to plug in.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
  • sew chang wei on Oct 12, 2018 at 5:27 pm

    this is something worth to wait.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 0
  • Honda Salesman Crying on Oct 12, 2018 at 5:35 pm

    Aiyoo yoo. Habis la Honda now and their arrogant Honda salesmen. Nobody is touching Honda now. Honda Salesmen all crying. Honda Malaysia is known as Honda – The Power of Sucks. Bad luck to buy their cars. Lets talk about bad Service Quality in Honda Malaysia, Bad Assembly Quality in Honda Malaysia and Terrible Design for Upcoming Honda Models including Current Honda Civic

    Firstly, after Honda Assemblypeople in Malaysia finish assembling install the Honda parts for Honda models, they didn’t even bother to check whether it has been secured or not. Or either, Honda Assemblypeople in Malaysia always use the fake parts to install for Honda models as many people complain that got many problems for Honda models after they bought for several months.

    Secondly, after people service their Honda models, they felt that it is wasting times and money of servicing their Honda models as Honda service people in Malaysia either Honda service people in Malaysia didn’t service their Honda models properly or Honda service people in Malaysia didn’t even bother to service their Honda models.

    Thirdly, upcoming Honda models front bumper design all copying from Current Honda Civic design, upcoming Honda models have no proportional at all. Also, Honda models rear bumper looks damn terrible. Aiyoo, I don’t know what kind current Honda designer are making.

    Malaysians rather buy Hyundai, Toyota, Proton, Kia, BMW Mercedes, Volkswagen, Peugeot, Mazda, Renault, Mitsubishi, Nissan and even other carmakers. Malaysians also already know that Honda Malaysia regard Malaysian lives as dirt and don’t care whether you die or not. This Honda – The Power of Dreams should be named as Honda – The Power of Sucks because Honda Service Quality in Malaysia and Honda Assembly Quality in Malaysia is so teruk.

    Malaysians have now dignity. they know Honda Malaysia are big cheats. Charge so much for the car, yet compromise on our lives and safety of the family.

    How Honda Malaysia? Still giving bad service and bad quality for Honda Malaysia Car Assembly?

    Our lives not important Honda Malaysia?

    The Honda Malaysia is a hugest failure. No need to write good comments a lot about Honda for upcoming Honda articles in paultan.org website. We as smart people said that Proton, Kia, Toyota, BMW, Mercedes, Volvo, Mazda, Hyundai, Nissan, Peugoet, Renault and even other carmakers for service quality and assembly quality are much better than Honda Malaysia, even the apek jual ikan also said that too. So Honda Malaysia is dead.

    Ben Yap and other Honda salesmen are also now hiding like chickens. They will come in here and Firstly, Ben Yap say that He got Civic who compares other carmakers and he also wanted Honda Malaysia to be top no.2 and top no.1. Besides that, Other Honda Salesmen also said that Honda Service Malaysia have good quality. Honda Salesmen are talking all the fake comments, especially for Ben Yap. Nobody is going to buy rubbish Honda in Malaysia. Even now, their Honda Malaysia Sales is always cheated and very biased as Honda Service Quality in Malaysia and Honda Assembly Quality in Malaysia is very terrible.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 45 Thumb down 4
    • Hi loser salesman on Oct 15, 2018 at 4:39 pm

      Wah, showroom traffic very slow until all articles also copy paste same thing.

      Btw interesting you talk about honda safety when honda give 6 airbags while vios even u buy TRD also just 2 airbag.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 11
  • RIP RX series

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 2
  • mattdamonfan on Oct 14, 2018 at 12:44 pm

    Just launch the bloody thing lor, why have to tease here tease there. No money to do proper promotion ?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
 

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