Mazda Begins Leasing Dual-Fuel Hydrogen Vehicle

**Tideland Prius** · 02-20-2006, 12:37 AM

Mazda Begins Leasing Dual-Fuel Hydrogen Vehicle
15 February 2006

RX-8 Hydrogen RE
Mazda Motor Corporation has begun leasing the RX-8 Hydrogen RE (earlier post) to its first two corporate customers: Idemitsu Kosan Co. Ltd. and Iwatani International Corporation, both companies operating in the energy sector.

The RX-8 Hydrogen RE is equipped with a rotary engine, and features a dual-fuel system that allows the driver to select either hydrogen or gasoline with the flick of a switch.

Each company has leased one vehicle—the first lease contracts of a hydrogen-powered rotary engine equipped vehicle in the world. Delivery will take place in late March 2006.

By the end of 2006, Mazda plans to lease about 10 RX-8 Hydrogen RE cars to local government and energy companies.

The standard monthly lease price is ¥420,000 (US$3,574) with tax included (¥400,000/month (US$3,407 without tax ) which is almost half the monthly lease price of a fuel cell vehicle already available in Japan.

Employing a dual-fuel system, the Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE can run on either high-pressure hydrogen gas or gasoline, allowing the car to be driven in remote areas where hydrogen fueling stations are not readily available, easing driver concerns about running out of fuel.

                                  Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE
                                 Gasoline                    Hydrogen
Engine                         RENESIS hydrogen rotary
Power                       154 kW (206 hp)       80 kW (107 hp)
Torque                        222 Nm                       140 Nm
Fuel tank          61 liters (16 gallons US)   110 liters@35 Mpa (350 bar)
Range                    549 km (341 miles)    100 km (62.1 miles)

The RENESIS Hydrogen RE incorporates an electronically controlled hydrogen gas injector system. The system draws air from the side port during the intake cycle and uses dual hydrogen injectors in each of the engine’s twin rotor housings to directly inject hydrogen into the intake chambers.

For future versions of the rotary hydrogen cars, Mazda plans to incorporate the RENESIS hydrogen rotary engine with the emerging Mazda Hybrid System and an electric-motor-assisted turbocharger to enhance efficiency as well as the driving experience.

Source: Green Car Congress

Frank Hudon · 02-20-2006, 12:58 AM

wow does it take a power hit on hydrogen. this might have potential as there is no fuel cell stack to cause problems. Cold weather starting problems, short mean time before failure, Icing problems in cold weather to name a few. And the big one Expensive. Where is the refueling infrastructure? I'll have to be universally avaiable before there will be any consumer interest. Then there's those lease payments! clutchs chest.

**Tideland Prius** · 02-20-2006, 01:48 AM

$3k a month? That's cheap considering Honda and Toyota were charging more for their FC cars.

The cool thing is that it's on the rotary engine, the bad thing is, does it still use engine oil like it does on the regular car?

Frank Hudon · 02-20-2006, 02:00 AM

I've never been a fan of the egg beater mazda horrible on emissions as well. And if you ever get them hot, yup oil burner. Lots of power from a compact, size wise, power plant. Was looking to buy an airplane many years back till I found out it was Mazda rotary powered. Wouldn't mean anything to you but if you google Osprey 2 you'll see a very neat little homebuilt a/c.

02-20-2006, 12:37 AM	#1
Tideland Prius Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 13,932 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 11	Mazda Begins Leasing Dual-Fuel Hydrogen Vehicle 15 February 2006 RX-8 Hydrogen RE Mazda Motor Corporation has begun leasing the RX-8 Hydrogen RE (earlier post) to its first two corporate customers: Idemitsu Kosan Co. Ltd. and Iwatani International Corporation, both companies operating in the energy sector. The RX-8 Hydrogen RE is equipped with a rotary engine, and features a dual-fuel system that allows the driver to select either hydrogen or gasoline with the flick of a switch. Each company has leased one vehicle—the first lease contracts of a hydrogen-powered rotary engine equipped vehicle in the world. Delivery will take place in late March 2006. By the end of 2006, Mazda plans to lease about 10 RX-8 Hydrogen RE cars to local government and energy companies. The standard monthly lease price is ¥420,000 (US$3,574) with tax included (¥400,000/month (US$3,407 without tax ) which is almost half the monthly lease price of a fuel cell vehicle already available in Japan. Employing a dual-fuel system, the Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE can run on either high-pressure hydrogen gas or gasoline, allowing the car to be driven in remote areas where hydrogen fueling stations are not readily available, easing driver concerns about running out of fuel. Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE Gasoline Hydrogen Engine RENESIS hydrogen rotary Power 154 kW (206 hp) 80 kW (107 hp) Torque 222 Nm 140 Nm Fuel tank 61 liters (16 gallons US) 110 liters@35 Mpa (350 bar) Range 549 km (341 miles) 100 km (62.1 miles) The RENESIS Hydrogen RE incorporates an electronically controlled hydrogen gas injector system. The system draws air from the side port during the intake cycle and uses dual hydrogen injectors in each of the engine’s twin rotor housings to directly inject hydrogen into the intake chambers. For future versions of the rotary hydrogen cars, Mazda plans to incorporate the RENESIS hydrogen rotary engine with the emerging Mazda Hybrid System and an electric-motor-assisted turbocharger to enhance efficiency as well as the driving experience. Source: Green Car Congress __________________ 2005 Tideland Pearl Premium Package as of 25th Oct 2004 VVT-i Emblem, Sport Pedals, OEM All-Weather Mats, Cargo Mat, EV Mod, JDM Prius Interior Footwell Lighting, DICE iPod Integration Kit, LED licence plate lights, Phillips Vision Plus 2008 smart fortwo passion coupé as of 28th Apr 2008 Foglights, dash pods, leather seats, OEM rubber mats, BRABUS alum. handbrake, LED licence plate lights & dome lamp

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02-20-2006, 12:58 AM	#2
Frank Hudon Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 4,144 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	wow does it take a power hit on hydrogen. this might have potential as there is no fuel cell stack to cause problems. Cold weather starting problems, short mean time before failure, Icing problems in cold weather to name a few. And the big one Expensive. Where is the refueling infrastructure? I'll have to be universally avaiable before there will be any consumer interest. Then there's those lease payments! clutchs chest.

02-20-2006, 01:48 AM	#3
Tideland Prius Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 13,932 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 11	$3k a month? That's cheap considering Honda and Toyota were charging more for their FC cars. The cool thing is that it's on the rotary engine, the bad thing is, does it still use engine oil like it does on the regular car?

02-20-2006, 02:00 AM	#4
Frank Hudon Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 4,144 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I've never been a fan of the egg beater mazda horrible on emissions as well. And if you ever get them hot, yup oil burner. Lots of power from a compact, size wise, power plant. Was looking to buy an airplane many years back till I found out it was Mazda rotary powered. Wouldn't mean anything to you but if you google Osprey 2 you'll see a very neat little homebuilt a/c.