Mazda Rolls Out Additional Hydrogen RX-8
The Mazda Motor Corp. earlier rolled out another flex-fuel vehicle in RX-8. TMazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE research vehicle is aimed at continuing the quest of the automaker to expand the real-world data on cars that are powered by either hydrogen or gasoline. The vehicle was turned over to the Japan Automobile Research Institute (JARI) for testing.
Mazda is currently on the seventh version of its test hydrogen flex-fuel RX-8, which runs on either gasoline or hydrogen. The vehicle is equipped with a rotary fuel engine with a dual-system that allows the driver to choose either gasoline or hydrogen fuel with just a push on the button. Mazda’s development of hydrogen fuel cars featuring rotary engines is part of its goal to promote environment-friendly urban living.
The automaker’s piston-driven power plants for hydrogen application are boosted by distinct rotary engines. The engines utilize separate Mazda cold air intake and combustion compartments to suit the hydrogen fuel application. Unlike other automakers, Mazda uses piston-driven power plants for hydrogen application. The automaker believes that the use of rotary engine is the key. It argues that the engine’s size plus the use of a separate intake and combustion chambers complements the hydrogen fuel.
The flex-fuel RX-8 engine is capable of producing 107 horsepower. The vehicle travels 62 miles on hydrogen and covers 340 miles on 16 gallons of gas. The hydrogen fuel will basically come from JARI’s own hydrogen station at the Tsukaba facility in Japan.
The current version of the Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE flex-fuel vehicle will be used to make proposals for the international hydrogen standards and to facilitate the development of safety regulations. The vehicle will also be used to establish evaluation and examination techniques.
The Mazda RX-8 was first introduced at the 2001 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). But the first RX-8 Hydrogen RE concept of RX-8 was showcased at the 2004 NAIAS. The automaker earlier announced its plan to release a two-seat coupe version of the car but the development of such car is very costly hence the cancellation of the arrangement. The Mazda RX-8 will be entertaining a redesign in 2009 for the 2010 model.
Separately, Mazda has reaffirmed its partnership with the Ford Motor Co. last Thursday. In the said partnership, the automakers expect global sales of 1.6 million vehicles annually by 2010. With Ford as a partner, Mazda calls the endeavor a “win-win partnership.” The Hiroshima-based Japanese automaker sold about 1.1 million vehicles worldwide in the fiscal year ended March 2006. It said in a statement that the company will grow more competitive by cutting costs, increasing research investment, strengthening its model lineup and taking more control of its U.S. dealer network.
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Given her background on cars as an auto insurance director, Lauren Woods finds the world of cars to be constantly changing.
Source: ArticleTrader.com