Is the Rotary Engine Making a Comeback? A Deep Dive into the Future of Mazda and Hybrid Technologies

For decades, the rotary engine has been a fascinating and somewhat controversial part of automotive history. With its unique design, the rotary engine offered significant advantages but faced numerous challenges. Now, with the increasing trend towards electric and hybrid vehicles, some are asking if the rotary engine could make a comeback. Let's explore the possibilities.

Reviving the Rotary Engine: Potential Uses and Feasibility

Mazda has hinted at using a rotary engine as a range extender for electric vehicles (EVs). This direction seems to align with the engine's inherent benefits: it is smaller and lighter, which can be advantageous in an electric vehicle's design. However, the practicality of this move is still questionable.

The proposal of using a rotary engine as a range extender for EVs leverages the engine's compact size and lightweight nature, which can be beneficial in the overall vehicle weight and space management. This approach is more likely to be feasible due to the reduced performance constraints compared to traditional passenger car applications. However, building combustion engines of any variety for use in passenger cars has a very limited future.

Future of Internal Combustion Engines in Passenger Cars

The question of whether a rotary engine will return as a mainstream engine for traditional cars is unlikely. The challenges faced by the rotary engine, such as excessive oil consumption and the need for specialized tools, make it difficult to justify the investment for widespread commercial production. The performance issues and the high fuel consumption further complicate the scenario.

In the broader context of internal combustion engines (ICEs), their future is indeed limited in passenger cars. The increasing focus on environmental sustainability and stricter emission regulations is driving the shift towards electric and hybrid vehicles. The idea of bringing back an engine that requires special tooling and had performance issues like excessive oil consumption is not likely to inspire investment from stakeholders.

Rotary Engines: Past, Present, and Potential

The Mazda RX8 might be the last car to feature a rotary engine, primarily due to its poor fuel efficiency, which no longer meets modern standards. However, the potential of rotary engines is not limited to historical and modern passenger cars. In niche applications, they still hold significance, as they can be found in surveillance drones where the absence of vibrations is a significant advantage.

Interestingly, rotary engines are finding a new lease of life in a different form. Every electric car has at least one rotary engine as a core component of its drive system. This application showcases how the design can still deliver significant advantages, particularly in ensuring a smooth and reliable drive. Despite their potential, it's extremely unlikely that rotary engines will sell in large numbers due to their high fuel consumption and difficulties in managing exhaust emissions.

Conclusion: The Future of Rotary Engines

While the idea of bringing the rotary engine back to the mainstream for traditional passenger cars seems unlikely, its presence in electric vehicles as a range extender or a hybrid setup is possible. The unique characteristics of the rotary engine, such as its compact size and smooth operation, make it a viable option for specialized applications. However, for the most part, the rotary engine's future lies in niche applications and in the electric vehicle ecosystem.

For those who dream of reviving the rotary engine, it’s a nice thought but one that seems more theoretical than practical. The larger surface area to volume ratio of rotary engines often results in disproportionate emissions, a challenge that must be addressed. While the rotary engine remains a remarkable and innovative design, the environmental and efficiency standards of today's automotive industry make it a difficult fit for traditional passenger cars.