Rotary engine to make a comeback with Mazda's new electric car in 2019

MANILA: Yes, we know rotary engines are a thing of past and are not compatible enough to go up against the current line of piston mills. But, it seems like the Japanese automaker Mazda thinks different. As revealed by Mazda Europe, Sales and Customer Service Vice President, Martijn ten Brink, the said Wankel rotary design engine would most likely make a comeback in 2019 paired with company's new range of electric cars.

The trick here is, Mazda would not be using the revived rotary engine as a stand-alone option. Instead, it would hold the position of a generator, a range extender. So, once the battery is all out, the rotary engine would come to life and re-energize the electric car.

As for the revived rotary engine appearance and set-up, the soon to debut mill will set low in the chassis, thus contributing to optimum weight distribution and balance. It will be a single rooter mill with no turbo tuning, hence no vibration, giving complete silence cabin experience to passengers. As for its size, it would be as big as a shoe box, compact, and sleek.

The all-electric Mazda car that would house the rotary mill is speculated to be based on the platform of Mazda CX-3, Mazda 3 and Mazda 2. It might, therefore, be a crossover similar to the size of Mazda3. As per Mazda’s Zoom-Zoom Plan 2030, the manufacturer would create an all-electric car infused with the new Wankel rotary engine next year.

Well, our hope to see a rotary engine featuring car was revived back in 2015 when Mazda introduced the RX - Vision Concept. Why? Well, because amidst the scares information that was released about the concept was included the word ‘SkyActiv -R rotary’, for those of you who aren't aware, Mazda’s RX moniker traditionally stands for 'Roraty'.

So, is Mazda’s all-electric car based on the RX concept or will it look more like Mazda3? All questions would be answered next year when Mazda all-electric car is scheduled to debut.