Mazda is bringing the rotary in an application we’d rather not see it return in, as a lowly range extender.

It’s been six long years since we last heard from Mazda in any official capacity when it comes to rotary news but it’s finally happened, breaking news from Mazda HQ about our beloved spinning dorito is here. As per Mazda in an official press release they dropped earlier yesterday (Oct. 2, 2018) Mazda announced that they are bringing back the rotary engine in a big way, but not in the way we expect it. Mazda is going to introduce it as a battery range extender for their upcoming EV vehicles as part of their sustainable Zoom-Zoom campaign for 2030.

The range-extender will recharge the battery when necessary to increase the vehicle’s driving range, eliminating the range anxiety which continues to trouble a high percentage of battery EV users.

The rotary engine’s small size and high power output make multiple electrification technology solutions possible via a shared packaging layout. Taking advantage of the rotary engine’s compatibility with gaseous fuels, the rotary-powered range extender is designed to also burn liquefied petroleum gas and provide a source of electricity in emergencies.

You won’t be that surprised to know that this is not some hair-brained idea but is a working prototype that’s been around since at least 2013 and long before that in the Mazda 2 Range extending vehicle. With a decent battery pack for the time, enough kWh for 100 miles of range as estimated by Mazda, with the spinning dorito AKA the rotary engine in the trunk churning away like rotaries do, this Mazda 2 has the potential to go 200 miles plus on just 2.6 gallons of gas and a full battery charge.

Here’s that prototype back a couple of years ago.

As I perused my twitter feed, I came across what this rotary engine looks like, and, rotary heads, you’ll want to avert your eyes.

They’ve taken the rotary engine and literally flipped it on its side and mounted the rotary engine horizontally. Blasphemy!

If you’d like to read a little more about this weirdly mounted spinning dorito, check out this Car and Driver article which goes into the technology behind this Mazda 2 a little bit more.

Mazda is late to the hybrid and EV game and is using its strengths, which is proprietary technology in its rotary engine, to get back in the game in a big way.

I have no say in how rotaries are made but if they’re not the screaming, making power above 8K RPM and beyond variety, don’t @ me about them.

Rotaries are back but don’t tell me about further EV range developments until its an RX-9.

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