Mazda introduces hydrogen rotary hybrid

MAZDA is pressing on with the rotary engine, presenting the Japanese government with the world’s first hydrogen-fuelled rotary hybrid.

The Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid wagon, small numbers of which will be used by the government fleet, follows on from the RX-8 hydrogen rotary model.

The hybrid Premacy has a range of 200km, double that of the hydrogen-fuelled RX-8.

It runs a rotary engine that converts hydrogen fuel into electricity which is then used to power an electric motor to turn the wheels.

Power has been increased to 110kW and the vehicle runs a dual-fuel system that allows it to run on petrol if hydrogen is unavailable - a wise move given the lack of a serious hydrogen refuelling infrastructure.

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