Has Mazda Finally Developed a Novel Design for a Hybrid Sports Car Incorporating a Rotary Engine?

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Should Mazda decide to proceed, it possesses the capability to materialize such a project. Hence, the company has successfully secured a patent for a hybrid sports car design featuring a rotary engine. The fundamental architecture resembles previous designs, encompassing a combustion engine, a primary electric drive motor positioned behind the engine, and two additional motors propelling the front wheels. While prior documents rarely touched on rotary engines, this particular patent explicitly highlights the use of rotary engines. Furthermore, it introduces a distinct dual voltage battery system, purportedly reducing weight while facilitating heightened peak power outputs.

Submitted in June 2021, the patent became public in the United States just six days prior on Tuesday, May 9. Followers acquainted with Mazda’s plethora of hybrid sports car patents will recognize the emphasis given to this specific configuration. In this instance, the two front motors are hub motors situated within the wheels, although alternative patents have proposed mounting them to the frame and driving the front wheels through traditional stub axles.

Several intriguing facets pertaining to the hybrid system merit discussion, especially since Mazda typically avoids extensive discussions on rotary engines, despite their central role in this patent. The document explicitly states that “the engine is a rotary engine located at the front of the vehicle.” However, specific details such as rotor count remain undisclosed.

Technical specifications of the hybrid system are clearly outlined, akin to previously covered documents. In this particular setup, the vehicle employs a combination of 17-kilowatt (23 horsepower) induction motors for the front wheels and a 25kW (36 hp) permanent magnet synchronous motor positioned behind the engine. It is uncommon to witness a mixture of various electric motors, yet this 82-hp system promises to enhance the vehicle’s allure. Notably, induction motors and PMSM machines deliver torque in slightly dissimilar manners, potentially explaining the rationale behind integrating both types.

For those concerned about the hybrid system’s weight, Mazda has directly addressed these worries, a gesture expected from the company renowned for producing the MX-5. Firstly, it’s crucial to note that in-wheel hub motors may not necessarily entail substantial weight. Conventional PMSM motors available commercially, generating approximately 17kW, could weigh as little as six pounds, although induction motors might be bulkier.

The battery’s weight has also been accounted for. Mazda has adopted a unique variable-voltage system hitherto unseen. To elaborate, the system encompasses four 48-volt modules housed in a pack positioned behind the driver’s seat. During steady-state cruising, these systems function as regular 48-volt batteries, delivering moderate power with reasonable current to the wheels. However, when demanding peak power, the system seamlessly reconfigures two pairs of battery cells, leveraging 96 volts for enhanced power output with reduced current. This innovative approach not only enables peak performance with lower current draw but also minimizes the necessity for numerous high-voltage connections and power electronic systems, thereby potentially reducing weight.

Although this system may seem complex, it’s imperative to acknowledge that evading high voltages not only reduces costs and potentially trims weight regarding power electronics but also significantly enhances safety during assembly and maintenance. Recognizing that voltages below 60 do not pose sufficient electrical potential to cause harm to individuals, the patent underscores the system’s safety and ease of servicing.

As reiterated before, an abundance of patents akin to a massive forest fire surrounds Mazda’s ventures. It’s widely known that the next Miata will adopt a hybrid configuration. Additionally, Mazda is striving to materialize a model resembling the RX Vision concept, persisting in the development of rotary engines for functional application, albeit typically witnessed in a highly refined, series-hybrid-style range extending capacity.

Given the momentum and continual rotary engine development, it’s increasingly feasible to anticipate imminent groundbreaking developments, potentially featuring rotary power among the forefront innovations.

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