|
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 worlds 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. Mazdas 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 |
|
