Mazda RX-8 successor to use dual-fuel technology, run on hydrogen and gasoline
08/05/2008, 3:40 PM
By Drew Johnson
Although the rotary engine never quite caught on in the automotive industry, Mazda has stuck with the unique powerplant for the last few decades. The engine’s pistonless design allows for a lot of punch in a relatively small package, but also requires a higher-than-average level of fuel consumption. However, Mazda is working on a new hydrogen-gasoline powerplant that could solve that problem in the near future.
According to Auto Express, Mazda is working on a new dual-fuel version of its rotary engine that will be capable of running on both hydrogen and gasoline – similar to BMW’s Hydrogen 7. In keeping with tradition, Mazda is planning on using the rotary engine in an RX-badged vehicle, but will likely swap out the RX-8 nameplate for the RX-9.
The coupe will retain its rear-wheel drive setup, and will take most of its styling cues from the Taiki concept. Despite the unique drivetrain, the RX-9 is expected to be fitted with both manual and automatic transmissions, with the dual fuel setup netting a 20 percent boost in fuel economy.
However, that increased economy does come at a bit of a cost. When operating in hydrogen mode – which is ideal for city driving — the RX-9 will be down about 20 percent on power. Thankfully, the driver will be able to manual flip between hydrogen and gasoline modes, so full power is no farther away than a flick of a switch.
Although the RX-9 sounds like future tech, Auto Express says the new coupe should be out by 2012.
08/05, 5:12 PM
posted by:
jayjc08
The ONLY problem with hydrogen vehicles is getting the hydrogen. It’s not hard to make an engine run off of hydrogen. Actually, I don’t see any problem with current gasoline engines running on hydrogen, save for fuel associated parts (same goes for E85, you usually need more higher duty fuel lines as the stuff is more corrosive).
08/05, 6:18 PM
posted by:
zoomzoomer
not to mention explosive!
08/05, 7:48 PM
posted by:
jayjc08
Well… yeah, of course, but gasoline is as well. That’s a line back from steam salesman in the early days of automobiles…
“yeah, an explosion happens every second!”
08/05, 8:46 PM
posted by:
Fromes
does any one have a hydrogen pump at there local mobile station? Ive never seen one and thats def a huge problem for hydrogen…other then that, this technology seems to be really far ahead of anything mazda or its parent company ford are currently producing, I highly doubt it will be out much before 2015, if at all…just seems to far fetched
08/06, 3:17 AM
posted by:
Blakkarr
I can’t imagine anything other than a Hydrogen Booster. Hydrogen in large quantities is too hard to get regularly unless you work for NASA.
The small amounts of hydrogen a Hydrogen Booster (fuel from water) makes to enhance the combustion of fuel, makes more sense to me.
08/06, 4:27 AM
posted by:
sprockkets
The rotaries saving grace: It can use Hydrogen better than a piston engine can.
Apparently storing it is the problem.
08/06, 11:29 AM
posted by:
Richard
zoomzoomer (No. 2) wrote not to mention explosive!
As jayjc08 correctly pointed out, gasoline explosive. The stuff that you burn in your automobile is more explosive than nitroglycerin. Hydrogen has a built-in safety characteristics. Because it is 14 times lighter than air, leaked hydrogen rises quickly into the air and away from any ignition source. OTOH, gasoline falls to the ground where it can fuel a fire until it is consumed or the fire is artificially extinguished.
Fromes (No. 4) wrote does any one have a hydrogen pump at there local mobile station? Ive never seen one and thats def a huge problem for hydrogen…
This is a problem for all non-gasoline vehicles. It has always been the problem in the early days of new fuels. Pure electric cars suffer from the lack of charging stations. I’m old enough to remember when diesel pumps were rare. Gasoline was once the by-product of kerosene production.
The hydrogen distribution problem is being solved. Honda is developing a home-based hydrogen generating station. The Honda solution reforms natural gas and cogenerates home heat. However, rapid developments in catalysts are dramatically improving the efficiency of water electrolysis. Efficient electrolysis stations will make the development of a hydrogen infrastructure using both home-based and commercial stations a fairly rapid venture.