i.Introduction.
With the rapid development of automotive technology, extended-range hybrid technology has gradually become the focus of the automotive industry. However, when the technology was first introduced, it was met with a lot of negative reviews. Some people scoff at the range-extender technology, and some car company executives even publicly said that it is outdated. However, the automotive market is an evolving arena, and several years of practice have proved that range extenders perform well in practical use, and negative voices are gradually decreasing. At the same time, due to the bottleneck of charging technology and the long-term demand for popularization time, it is now the bonus period for range extender vehicles. This article will delve into the market acceptance of extended-range hybrid technology, focusing on Mazda's breakthroughs in this area, especially its MX-30R-EV version with a rotary engine.
ii.Market acceptance of extended-range hybrid technology.
a.Initial negative reviews.
When extended-range hybrid technology first came out, many people dismissed it. The ridicule was incessant, and some industry executives even expressed doubts about the future of the technology. This negative evaluation is mainly due to the lack of understanding of new technologies and the influence of traditional concepts. Some people believe that range extender technology is just an alternative to charging technology, and its performance and reliability are not comparable to traditional combustion vehicles.
b.Proven market recognition.
However, the development of the market is often the most objective criterion. With the gradual use of the range extender vehicle, practice has proved its reliability and economy in actual driving. Through daily driving experience, users gradually realize the advantages of range extender vehicles in terms of range range and driving experience. This real-world experience has gradually changed the way people think about range extender technology, and the market has begun to accept and embrace this new technology.
c.Charging technology bottlenecks and time-to-reach considerations.
At the same time, with the development of electric vehicle charging technology, people are gradually realizing that it will take time for charging facilities to become widespread. The lack of charging facilities has become a key factor restricting the development of electric vehicles. In this case, the range extender has become a more practical option to a certain extent due to its unique working principle. Not only does it reduce the dependence on charging infrastructure, but it also provides more stable power support on long distances.
iii.Mazda's rotary engine extended-range hybrid system.
a.Historical problems with rotor engines.
Mazda has always had a special affection for rotary engines, similar to Gusu Murong Fu in the automotive world. However, conventional rotary engines have always been plagued by high fuel consumption and poor emissions. Mazda is determined to solve this dilemma by applying rotary engines to extended-range hybrid systems in order to solve its historical problems.
b.Introduction of the MX-30R-EV version.
In a sign of confidence in the rotary engine, Mazda announced that the MX-30R-EV will be part of its lineup. This marks the reappearance of rotary engines on the market after an 11-year hiatus. The MX-30R-EV version uses a rotary engine as a range extender, opening a new chapter in the development of the technology. With this initiative, Mazda expressed its confidence in the rotary engine and its relentless pursuit of technological advancement.
c.Launch of the MazdaiConicsp Concept.
In addition to the MX-30R-EV version, Mazda has pushed the rotary engine even further. At the Japan Mobility Show, they unveiled the MazdaiConicsp concept, a compact sports car. The car features a 50:50 front-to-rear weight ratio with a low center of gravity, and is equipped with Mazda's twin-rotor range-extender hybrid system. The launch of this concept car shows that Mazda is constantly exploring and applying rotary engine technology to different types of vehicles.
iv.Improvement and development of rotor engine technology.
a.Establishment of the rotor engine R&D team.
In order to accelerate the development of rotary engine technology, Mazda revealed at the Tokyo Motor Salon in January 2024 that they will set up a 30-person rotary engine research and development team to focus on combustion and emission research. The establishment of this team shows that Mazda attaches great importance to rotary engine technology as a core competency for the future.
b.Features of the rotor range extender system on the MX-30.
The rotor range extender system on the MX-30 is the first extended-range system that has been mass-produced and installed. Mazda uses the Renesis 16X rotor engine and Le Mans 787B rotor technology, with improved intake and exhaust port locations compared to conventional 13B Series engines. This improvement not only improves fuel economy, but also improves emissions performance. In addition, the 8C rotor engine has a single rotor displacement of 830cc and a compression ratio of 119. The maximum output power can reach 55kw and 116n·m. In hybrid mode, the MX-30 achieves a WLTC fuel consumption of 154km L, demonstrating excellent energy efficiency.
c.Launch of the Editionr Edition.
The introduction of the MX-30R-EV meant a revival of the rotor engine. To underscore this historic moment, Mazda has launched the Editionr Edition, where the R stands for Return. This version of the model is designed to demonstrate Mazda's confidence in the return of the rotary engine and convey to consumers the brand's strong belief in technology.
v.Market reaction and sales.
a.The perspective of potential consumers.
Faced with the launch of the MX-30R-EV, consumers expressed their expectations for the rotary engine. However, there are also some voices that say they prefer to have a pure rotor drive vehicle rather than just a range extender. This view reflects the desire of some consumers for technical purity and the desire to experience the unique charm of traditional rotary engines.
b.Sales data for MX-30R-EV.
Sales figures for the MX-30R-EV in the Japanese market show a good start. Went on sale in November last year, with 617 units sold that month and 192 units sold in December. Although the sales time is short, and there is an overall waiting time of 1-2 months for delivery, this start and momentum makes people have a vague bad feeling. However, because the rotary engine is destined to be an unpopular technology, the sales performance of the MX-30R-EV will require a longer period of observation and evaluation.
c.Rotor engines challenge Mazda's profitability.
While the revival of the rotary engine has attracted the attention of the market, it also faces challenges in terms of profitability. Even on a truly pure rotor model, Mazda may struggle to rely on its profitability. This makes it necessary for Mazda to push the rotary engine technology while maintaining sales of conventional models to ensure the overall profitability of the business.
vi.Conclusion.
Through the development of extended-range hybrid technology and Mazda's rotary engines**, we see great potential and challenges in this area. Recognition of range extenders is growing, and Mazda has become a major player in this wave of technology with the introduction of the MX-30R-EV and its relentless pursuit of rotary engine technology. However, the development of rotary engines still takes time and more market validation. Over time, we look forward to seeing even greater success with this technology in the automotive industry. The advancement of range-extended hybrid technology and the revival of rotary engines will shape the new direction of automotive technology in the future, providing more possibilities for environmentally friendly and efficient mobility.