Engineering

Concept: RX-8 Hydrogen RE

Hydrogen is in the spotlight at the moment as a particularly environment-friendly potential source of clean energy for the future. Mazda developed the RX-8 Hydrogen RE by creating a fusion of its existing hydrogen technology with the new-generation rotary engine RENESIS, enabling the natural driving feel of an internal combustion engine to be combined with excellent environmental performance.

The RX-8 Hydrogen RE was unveiled at the 37th Tokyo Motor Show in October 2003, and 12 months later, the Vehicle was given approval by the Minister for Land, Infrastructure and Transport to begin road tests, and received a number plate. The RX-8 hydrogen rotary engine car features a dual fuel system, which allows it to run on either gasoline or hydrogen, and it is the first example in the world of a Vehicle running on two fuels being allowed to undergo road testing.

The Hydrogen Rotary Engine emits no CO2 and almost no NOx, making its environmental performance quite superb. In addition to this, because it uses conventional engine parts and manufacturing processes, it can be manufactured at low cost, and has high levels of built-in reliability.

Mazda received permission from Japan's Ministry of Land Infrastructure and Transport to begin leasing the RX-8 Hydrogen RE to two corporate customers with more to be added in the future.

History of Mazda's Hydrogen Vehicle Development

1991	Developed the 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 test version of MX-5 equipped with hydrogen rotary engine
1995	Conducted Japan's first public road test with Capella Cargo equipped with hydrogen rotary engine
1997	Developed Demio (Mazda2) FC-EV
2001	Developed Premacy FC-EV and conducted first public road test in Japan (with methanol reformer fuel cell system)
2003	Announced Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen Rotary Engine vehicle development model
2004	Conducted the world's first public road tests of the RX-8 hydrogen rotary engine that can run on two types of fuel--hydrogen and gasoline
March 2006	Mazda Motor Corporation delivers one RX-8 Hydrogen RE vehicle each to its first two corporate customers. Several more are planned this year.