Mazda Just Patented a Hybrid/Rotary Powertrain

It looks like we will see the day that the legendary rotary engine will return. That day will be a glorious day too, considering the nameplate that this new rotary-hybrid setup might debut on. That's right, the hype for the RX-9 is back.

Image Courtesy of Japanese Website, T's Media

Image Courtesy of Japanese Website, T's Media

Now I know this photo looks incredibly intimidating, and that's because it is. However, my pure genius, with no help from the internet at all, has managed to figure it out, sort of. I'll split this system into two: the front and the rear. Starting in the rear, there's the electric motor and the rotary engine. Oddly enough, the rotary engine, according to the patent, is powering the electric batteries, which power the rear wheels. Now here's the tricky bit, the front. There, you will find two hub motors, or small electric motors in the wheel wells, and a double layer capacitor, which is a small mechanism that stores and releases electric energy. The hub motors power the front two wheels. However, if more power is needed, the capacitor gives off some of its stored energy to the wheel hubs. Finally, in order to recharge the capacitor, this system would offer regenerative braking. Obviously, there are many more tidbits and shenanigans happening, but that is the important bit.

What Mazda model would this system be on

Mazda

Mazda

There are two possibilities where the rotary-hybrid powertrain could be on. The first of which is the next-generation RX Coupe, or more notoriously, the RX-9. This makes sense, as this high-tech system signals that it would be on Mazda's flagship vehicle, which in this case, would be the RX-9. However, there's a but, and it's a big one: there are no confirmed plans of the RX-9 actually being produced. The second option would be the MX-30, Mazda's only all-electric vehicle. Given that this vehicle already is built to be electric, I wouldn't be surprised if the rotary-electric powertrain makes an appearance for this model. Others have speculated that this could be going on the next-generation Mazda 6, but this seems unlikely because the next-generation Mazda 6 is set to have an all-new platform, a 6 cylinder engine in the front which powers the back wheels.

Conclusion:

This beyond complex system could be a revolutionary powertrain for Mazda. Not only would this powertrain please the Wankel enthusiast, but it would also please the emissions standards. And for those who don't particularly care about this powertrain, there's a reason for you to be thankful for it: it's one step closer to seeing the RX-9 being built. Maybe, just maybe, the brains at Mazda are planning on putting the rotary-hybrid powertrain in the RX-9.

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