Rumor: Mazda RX-9 could be hydrogen-powered

The rotary engine of Mazda has placed it in a quite unique position in the automobile world. The Wankel powerplant incidentally runs quite well on hydrogen and is not as vulnerable to many of hydrogen’s failings as in other internal combustion units.

The Japanese car maker has had hydrogen-fueled rotary-propelled vehicles on the streets for the last few years and the car maker has earlier suggested that it hopes to have a hydrogen-fueled car in the assembly lines within the next five years.
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veyron1001 - 1/3/2009 1:17:27 PM

+3 Boost

I am glad Mazda is still working on the rotary.

LexSucks - 1/4/2009 4:42:31 PM

0 Boost

Why?

TehShibbs - 1/3/2009 2:47:42 PM

-1 Boost

Because its basically a 2-stroke.

LexSucks - 1/4/2009 4:44:01 PM

0 Boost

Oil Whore, Gas whore, No-torque whore. I'm still trying to figure out what advantages Rotary engines have over Piston engines?

dumpsty - 1/3/2009 1:37:20 PM

+1 Boost

It would be nice to see a gas or diesel RX-9 on the roads before a hydrogen version (or concept) makes its rounds.

jeffy210 - 1/3/2009 2:04:48 PM

+1 Boost

Someone please school me on engines. Would a diesel rotary even be possible? I know you need massive compression for a diesel to work, can you get that on a rotary engine?

veyron1001 - 1/3/2009 2:13:29 PM

+1 Boost

Yes its possible. 3 moving parts and the rotary can handle high compression. I am not sure about the seals though. Surprised it hasnt been tried yet.

Threepoint1415926 - 1/3/2009 7:00:50 PM

+1 Boost

It has been. Rolls Royce made a diesel Wankel.

chewy - 1/3/2009 2:56:10 PM

+1 Boost

well it doesn't work to well on gas (poor performance and extremely high fuel consumption for its output)

theoptimisticpessimist - 1/3/2009 4:27:26 PM

+1 Boost

I admire Mazda for sticking with it. I'm sure Audi does also, they own the patent on the wankel engine.

veyron1001 - 1/4/2009 1:01:00 AM

+4 Boost

If you haven't read recently. BMW has a 7 series that runs on hydrogen and gasoline. Hybrid is the current cheapest band aid until another fuel that can be made independent from foreign oil and govt control.

Kthorn - 1/4/2009 1:56:40 PM

-2 Boost

Producing a hydrogen-powered vehicle presents many challenges. From safely storing enough of the propellant to give you a drivable range, (say 350 to 450 miles) to the infrastructure required to make the venture feasible. It's unlikely any one manufacturer would launch a hydrogen car unless as a collective group, they all agreed to launch one on or about the same time.

LexSucks - 1/4/2009 4:46:54 PM

0 Boost

Rotary Engines are flawed. There's a reason why everyone else except mazda has abandoned them. Look at the RX8. The RX8 doesn't have any performance but consumes more fuel than a Z06 vette.

Lexus1555 - 1/4/2009 11:34:20 PM

+1 Boost

Can someone please explain the benefit of a hydrogen car versus a pure electric car. For many companies, the hydrogen powers a fuel cell, which in turn creates electricity that powers the electric motors. Why waste energy turning something into hydrogen, which in turn wastes more energy being converted into electricity. Why not take out the middle man and just have electricity?

Although, maybe companies like Mazda and BMW, which use hydrogen to power an IC engine, are onto something?

Lexus1555 - 1/4/2009 11:35:21 PM

+1 Boost

Can someone please explain the benefit of a hydrogen car versus a pure electric car. For many companies, the hydrogen powers a fuel cell, which in turn creates electricity that powers the electric motors. Why waste energy turning something into hydrogen, which in turn wastes more energy being converted into electricity.? Why not take out the middle man and just have electricity in battery, which then powers the electric motors?

Although, maybe companies like Mazda and BMW, which use hydrogen to power an IC engine, are onto something?

Lexus1555 - 1/4/2009 11:36:59 PM

+1 Boost

Can someone please explain the benefit of a hydrogen car versus a pure electric car? For many car companies, they have the hydrogen powering a fuel cell, which in turn creates electricity that powers the electric motors. Why waste energy turning something into hydrogen (e.g. coal), which in turn is wasted more being converted into electricity in the fuel cell? Why not take out the middle man and just have electricity in battery, which then powers the electric motors?

Although, maybe companies like Mazda and BMW, which use hydrogen to power an IC engine, are onto something?

veyron1001 - 1/6/2009 10:32:01 PM

+1 Boost

Far less emissions to make. Lighter as there are no batteries. Also the rotary engine is lighter than a F1 V8 motor by about 20 lbs. No tax on fuel if you can do electrolysis at home and compared to petrol the machine will pay its self off easily. Hydrogen is combustible in its self.

Kthorn - 1/4/2009 11:54:57 PM

-3 Boost

Perhaps Mazda needn't waste their time with this stuff. Perhaps BMW can throw them a bone with one of these award winnig engines...

International Engine of the Year Winners

2008 Winners
Best New Engine of 2008: BMW 2-litre Diesel Twin Turbo (123d)
1.4-litre to 1.8-litre: BMW-PSA 1.6-litre Turbo
2.5-litre to 3-litre: BMW 3-litre Twin Turbo (135, 335, X6)
3-litre to 4-litre: BMW 4-litre V8 (M3)
Above 4-litre: BMW 5-litre V10 (M5, M6)
International Engine of the Year 2008: BMW 3-litre Twin Turbo (135, 335, X6)

2007 Winners
Best New Engine: BMW 3-litre Twin Turbo (335i)
Best Performance Engine: BMW 5-litre V10
1.4-litre to 1.8-litre: BMW-PSA 1.6-litre Turbo (MINI Cooper S, Peugeot 207)
2-litre to 2.5-litre: BMW 2.5-litre (325, 525, Z4, X3)
2.5-litre to 3-litre: BMW 3-litre Twin Turbo (335i)
Above 4-litre: BMW 5-litre V10 (M5, M6)
International Engine of the Year 2007: BMW 3-litre Twin Turbo (335i)

2006 Winners
Best Performance Engine: BMW 5-litre V10
2.5-litre to 3-litre: BMW 3-litre Twin Turbo Diesel
3-litre to 4-litre: BMW M 3.2-litre
Above 4-litre: BMW 5-litre V10
International Engine of the Year 2006: BMW 5-litre V10

2005 Winners
Best New Engine: BMW 5-litre V10 (M5, M6)
Best Performance Engine: BMW 5-litre V10 (M5, M6)
2.5-litre to 3-litre: BMW 3-litre Twin-Turbo Diesel (535d)
3-litre to 4-litre: BMW 3.2-litre (M3)
Above 4-litre: BMW 5-litre V10 (M5, M6)
International Engine of the Year 2005: BMW 5-litre V10 (M5, M6)

2004 Winners
2-litre to 2.5-litre: BMW 2.5-litre (325i, X3, 525i Z4)
3-litre to 4-litre: BMW 3.2-litre (M3)

2003 Winners
1.4-litre to 1.8-litre: MINI Supercharged 1.6-litre (Cooper S)
2-litre to 2.5-litre: BMW 2.5-litre (325i, 525i, Z4)
3-litre to 4-litre: BMW 3.2-litre (M3)

2002 Winners
Best New Engine: BMW 4.4-litre Valvetronic
2.5-litre to 3-litre: BMW 3-litre
3-litre to 4-litre: BMW 3.2-litre
Above 4-litre: BMW 4.4-litre Valvetronic
International Engine of the Year 2002: BMW 4.4-litre Valvetronic

2001 Winners
Best New Engine: BMW 3.2-litre
1.4-litre to 1.8-litre: BMW 1.8-litre Valvetronic
2.5-litre to 3-litre: BMW 3-litre
3-litre to 4-litre: BMW 3.2-litre
International Engine of the Year 2001: BMW 3.2-litre

2000 Winners
2.5-litre to 3-litre: BMW 3-litre TDi
3-litre to 4-litre: BMW 4-litre V8 TDi

1999 Winners
2.5-liter to 3-litre: BMW 3-liter TDi
3-liter to 4-litre: BMW 4-liter V8 TDi
Above 4-litres: BMW 5.34-liter V12

Damn that takes up a lot of space....

Govnar27 - 1/29/2009 8:29:09 PM

+1 Boost

Mazda Mr. Wankel, is a demi god. Let mazda continue to explore the infinite horizon of the rotary. I love those swirly triangles