A new rotary engine design has been unveiled for the American market. The design relies on a self-rotating engine, uses no fuels and is cheaper than a hydrogen equivalent. The company responsible for the design is non-other than legendary Japanese car maker, Mazda. The design was unveiled recently at a car customization show in Tokyo by the company’s President, Masahiro Moro. Its a design that perfectly defines Mazda. A successful company that has been able to incorporate older technology into modern day designs.
Will the new rotary design establish Mazda as the world leader in hybrid technology in cars?
The new design is not a surprise. Mazda has been using rotary engines for a long time. Pioneering the first cars with rotary engines decades ago. But the engine is known for its unreliableness and was slowly fazed out by most of the world’s car makers, including Mazda. The engine was still in use however. Mazda used a rotary engine as a generator to create electric power for the MX-30 R-EV crossover.
Not exactly revolutionary. But it was an interesting design that was different to other options available from the competition. Moro stated that after the positive feedback from both the media and public, the company chose to move forward and develop a rotary engine to power a potential sports car with electric motors to assist. This would also meet ever tightening restrictions regarding emissions.
With its European competitors performing exceedingly well, Mazda was forced to make sizeable investments in designs for the future. It’s previous design was not going to work. They needed a new design that would set them apart as an innovator and not just another car for the hybrid power market. Thus, they designed the new engine after getting positive feedback.
Will we actually see this engine soon? Or is it merely another concept to keep us distracted?
Mazda already got the automotive world excited with a rotary powered car in 2016. The RX Vision concept was revolutionary and won several awards for its unique design. So after nearly ten years, will Mazda actually put this new engine into production? Or will we wait another decade before seeing anything concrete? The design was already being used on their production line, so why did it take them this long to actually produce what we’ve been waiting for?
With the emergence of the EV market and other car makers investing heavily in Hydrogen powered engines, Mazda’s decision to stick with their guns and not follow the trend could be a costly one. We can only wonder if their time, and indeed money, would have been better spent on a hydrogen powered car or EV? But the stats are promising. With major outlets in America failing in public opinion, an opportunity is there for Mazda.
If they can introduce the engine to its production line in the shape of a sports car perhaps, and spend a ridiculous amount of money on marketing to the American customer, they could leapfrog companies like Tesla which have a stranglehold on the American market. But Mazda is a reputable brand and one well known by American consumers. Offering an alternative to badly made cars by failing American firms.
Will the United States accept the new rotary design or are they sick of the “new way forward”?
The problem is that every car maker is trying to reinvent the motor vehicle with every new design. The innovation found across the world is staggering. But Mazda are known for understanding the automotive sector and adjusting their approach as needed. We all know they will figure out a way to stay relevant in today’s world. Could a return to existing technology with the rotary engine be the answer we’ve all been looking for? Has the solution to the world energy crisis been in front of us this whole time? According to Mazda, yes it has, it just needed some work.
