Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 18

Thread: Mazda RX-8 hydrogen rotary now street legal

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Location
    St Marys Western Sydney
    Posts
    20,953

    Mazda RX-8 hydrogen rotary now street legal

    Mazda Hydrogen Rotary Now Street Legal

    29 October, 2004

    Image Gallery

    Japans transport authorities have given Mazda permission to road test a hydrogen-fueled, rotary-engine version of its RX-8 sports car. This unique vehicle features a dual-fuel system that allows the driver to select hydrogen or gasoline with the flick of a switch. In what could prove a historic event, this will be the worldĦs first street legal dual-fuel hydrogen rotary.

    Permission from Japans Ministry of Land Infrastructure and Transport (MLIT) comes 12 months after Mazda unveiled a hydrogen/rotary concept version of the award-winning RX-8 at the 2003 Tokyo Motor Show. MazdaĦs near-term goal is to assess the practicality of this unique powertrain in everyday use. In the next-stage, expected within two years, test vehicles will be leased to governments and fleet users.

    Known as H2RE, the test vehicle will deliver good performance with no loss of interior space for four people the high-pressure hydrogen fuel tank is mounted in the vehicles trunk. The H2RE is powered by a modified version of Mazdas award-winning RENESIS rotary engine that features an electronically controlled hydrogen gas direct injection system on the rotor housing.

    RENESIS has proved ideal for burning hydrogen as the intake area of a rotary engine stays relatively cool in temperature, reducing the tendency for engine backfire, a significant challenge in conventional engines. The hydrogen/rotary combination likewise offers superior environmental performance zero emission of CO2 and near zero NOx emissions. And because existing parts and production facilities are used, the innovative engine can be built reliably at a relatively low cost.

    More importantly, the hydrogen/gasoline dual fuel system will enable the H2RE to travel beyond the range of the few hydrogen filling stations now available. Mazda will continue to develop this technology for practical use and work to support the development of a hydrogen-fueled society.

    Major specifications of Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen Rotary Engine Vehicle

    Base model
    Mazda RX-8
    Base engine
    13B Dual Fuel Hydrogen Rotary Engine
    Length
    4.335m
    Width
    1.770m
    Height
    1.325m
    Wheelbase
    2.7m
    Weight
    1,440kg
    Passenger capacity
    Four adults
    Fuel
    Hydrogen or Gasoline
    Fuel tank
    Hydrogen 74L / 35MPa high-pressure tank
    Gasoline 61L


    History of Mazdas hydrogen vehicle development

    1991 Developed first hydrogen rotary engine vehicle, HR-X
    1992 Test drive of golf cart equipped with fuel cell
    1993 Developed second hydrogen rotary engine vehicle, HR-X2
    Developed MX-5 test vehicle equipped with hydrogen rotary engine
    1995 Conducted Japan's first public road test with Capella Cargo equipped with
    hydrogen rotary engine
    1997 Developed Demio FC-EV
    2001 Developed Premacy FC-EV, conducted first public road test in Japan
    (Methanol Reforming)
    2003 Announced RX-8 hydrogen rotary engine vehicle development
    2004 Received MLIT approval for public road testing of the H2RE dual-fuel RX-8
    Attached Images Attached Images
    I am the Stig

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    5,772
    I must say, not to annoy any Mazda fans or anything, but it would've been much better to produce a hydrogen car that uses a piston engine... The Renesis is a very thirsty engine, and it already lacks the torque that hydrogen struggles to produce. The ideal car, in my view, would've been to use a Miata, which is also a few hundred kilos less massive than the RX-8.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Location
    Deerfield Beach, Florida
    Posts
    5,802
    Quote Originally Posted by Egg Nog
    I must say, not to annoy any Mazda fans or anything, but it would've been much better to produce a hydrogen car that uses a piston engine... The Renesis is a very thirsty engine, and it already lacks the torque that hydrogen struggles to produce. The ideal car, in my view, would've been to use a Miata, which is also a few hundred kilos less massive than the RX-8.
    Nicely said.

    120HP/89Lbs Torque engine in a 3000lbs car will make it really slow. The power to weight ratio is a lot worse than a Honda Civic, unless they reduced drastically the weight.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Location
    St Marys Western Sydney
    Posts
    20,953
    In the article it says though that the intake ports on the rotary housing makes it more ideal to burn hydrogen than a piston engine as its a lower temperature. As for putting the Renesis into an MX-5, it seems like a good idea, but i guess Mazda thought for image sake it should stick with the stock equipment or something
    I am the Stig

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Location
    In the shed
    Posts
    9,941
    Sounds good in theory. ill wait and see how the road tests go before i pass judgement.
    The Datto will rage again...

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Location
    In a shoe box, Auckland, NZ
    Posts
    1,710
    Quote Originally Posted by Egg Nog
    I must say, not to annoy any Mazda fans or anything, but it would've been much better to produce a hydrogen car that uses a piston engine... The Renesis is a very thirsty engine, and it already lacks the torque that hydrogen struggles to produce. The ideal car, in my view, would've been to use a Miata, which is also a few hundred kilos less massive than the RX-8.
    Im a rotary fan, yet i cant agree more with you. They should be focusing on increacing touque not decreacing it.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Location
    Iwakuni Japan
    Posts
    381
    What about burning on gas for more power/torque? Just like in daily-driving life, you don't always need all that power. Kind-of like cute-offs in some Daimler-Chrysler V8 engines, where they can run on only 4-cylinders.

    Hydrogen powered engines are slowly being developed. It seams like hybrids popped out of nowhere.
    The wind that blows in the Andes.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Location
    Deerfield Beach, Florida
    Posts
    5,802
    Quote Originally Posted by 85RX7
    Im a rotary fan, yet i cant agree more with you. They should be focusing on increacing touque not decreacing it.
    When did Egg_Nog say anything about decreasing the torque?

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Location
    In the shed
    Posts
    9,941
    Quote Originally Posted by distress
    Kind-of like cute-offs in some Daimler-Chrysler V8 engines, where they can run on only 4-cylinders.
    i didnt know they did that, interesting piece of info. i read that on the chevvy (??) 16 that you could shut down cylinders to run on just 6 at times and then open up the other 10 at an opportune moment
    The Datto will rage again...

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Location
    In a shoe box, Auckland, NZ
    Posts
    1,710
    Quote Originally Posted by Niko_Fx
    When did Egg_Nog say anything about decreasing the torque?
    Quote Originally Posted by Egg Nog
    and it already lacks the torque that hydrogen struggles to produce.
    Right there

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Location
    Deerfield Beach, Florida
    Posts
    5,802
    Quote Originally Posted by 85RX7
    Right there


    He said that it lacks torque, he never said anything about decreasing the torque. He is criticizing the engine for having such a small amount of torque, why would he want them to decrease it even more?

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Location
    In a shoe box, Auckland, NZ
    Posts
    1,710
    he said hydrogen struggles to produce torque, and i basically said that thay shouldn't do it coz they need to increace it somehow instead of decreacing it by using hydrogen power. Just my own thoughts.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Location
    IDN
    Posts
    754
    although hydrogen engine may lack for performance, still, it is cheaper and more environment friendly. so i think this car is made to reduce pollution, not for high performance sports car.
    Reach for the moon! Even if you miss, you'll still be among the stars!

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    5,772
    Quote Originally Posted by tmntmail_ppn
    although hydrogen engine may lack for performance, still, it is cheaper and more environment friendly. so i think this car is made to reduce pollution, not for high performance sports car.
    Of course

    I think you missed the point I was trying to make... the rotary engine already lacks torque and guzzles fuel, so it is inherently a bad start for a hydrogen application. While hydrogen is completely encouraged by all means, it seems that it might be better suited to a piston engine.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Location
    In a shoe box, Auckland, NZ
    Posts
    1,710
    Quote Originally Posted by Egg Nog
    Of course

    I think you missed the point I was trying to make... the rotary engine already lacks torque and guzzles fuel, so it is inherently a bad start for a hydrogen application. While hydrogen is completely encouraged by all means, it seems that it might be better suited to a piston engine.
    I might have said it a bid strangley, but those are my viewes too. I guess Mazda just wants to show that hydrogen can be applied to the rotary engine and shut some people up about its fuell and emmision issues.

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Really useful performance listings...
    By Egg Nog in forum Technical forums
    Replies: 59
    Last Post: 04-18-2021, 05:13 PM
  2. GT4 whole car list!!!!
    By Mustang in forum Gaming
    Replies: 247
    Last Post: 07-07-2010, 08:06 AM
  3. What about the Wankel Engine??
    By piledriver in forum Technical forums
    Replies: 78
    Last Post: 11-21-2005, 04:48 PM
  4. Replies: 6
    Last Post: 09-03-2004, 09:16 PM
  5. Hp rating on mazda 13b rotary engines
    By johnnynumfiv in forum General Automotive
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 08-08-2004, 09:54 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •