Mazda’s Patent Unveils Rotary Engine Design for Hybrid Vehicles

Good news for Wankel enthusiasts—Mazda is considering a revival of the rotary engine. While previous attempts to bring it back did not materialize, this time it seems different. Instead of powering a classic rear-wheel-drive sports car, the rotary motor is likely to be utilized in a range of hybrid vehicles, based on a recent patent filed by the company.

The once-thrilling engine, which powered Mazda’s RX-7 and RX-8 until 2012, might soon be repurposed as an electric generator for future hybrids in the Mazda range. This choice likely stems from the rotary engine’s compact design, often measuring less than 15 inches in height and width. Mazda previously highlighted a comparable setup with the Mazda 2 RE, a hybrid that utilized a small rotary engine to extend the range. This engine drove a generator to charge the car’s battery, powered by a modest 333cc unit producing just 38 horsepower.

Another patent outlines a starting and stopping mechanism for the engine. Similar to the start-stop systems in many modern vehicles designed to enhance fuel efficiency, this rotary configuration would inject fuel into its combustion cycle and pause just before ignition, before reigniting when the engine requires power again.

This may be the closest we can expect to a new rotary-powered vehicle from Mazda, as CEO Masamichi Kogai has indicated no plans to produce a sports coupe beyond the MX-5.