MAZDA REVIVES ITS ROTARY ENGINE PROJECT

By Anne Bourgoin

The Japanese company Mazda has just announced the relaunch of its rotary engine research and development division. The decision comes after years of speculation and sporadic innovation, including the use of the rotary engine in the MX-30 plug-in hybrid.

Thirty-six specialized engineers will form the engine development group. Ichiro Hirose, Mazda’s Chief Technology Officer, promises a significant breakthrough, stating that their goal is to create “attractive cars that excite customers.”

The rotary motor has already proved its usefulness as a generator for extending the range of electric vehicles, but Mazda plans to take it a step further. A two-rotor rotary system running on hydrogen, or other carbon-neutral fuels, which would power a future sports car with an estimated 365 horsepower, is in the development group’s plans.