Ford has demonstrated with the Fusion that they don't mind borrowing from Mazda's line-up of cars. What if they considered a rotary engine car? I have seen no indication that this is being considered, but it would certainly be an interesting try.

I know they're not very efficient, but they are small and light, and there is currently only one rotary car on the market, the RX-8. If Mazda gives them the Wankel for a new Ford, it would definitely be a new approach in the market. I doubt it would be that sucessful, but what do you think?

 

The rotary is only inefficient compared to the piston internal combustion engine becuase it hasn't been refined and improved on by every car company for the past 100 years. Give the rotary a quarter of the total development time/funds put into the piston engine, and the rotary will kick ***. So, I'm all for Ford adopting the engine (and every other car company too), if for no reason better than the improvement of the breed.

 

That said, at this stage in rotary development, the engine type is best suited for very light RWD cars, of which Ford has none.

 

why not a FWD?

i mean im sure theyd have little problem fitting it into a smaller car like a focus or fusion..

and im all for the rotary motor being put into more vehicles. ive always had a thing for the RX series

 

Technically speaking, FWD is just as viable as RWD. I meant mostly that, as the rotary is a rev-happy motor, it would be best in enthusiast applications, and most driver's cars are RWD. (Most 500 buyers wouldn't want 8k rpm shift points...)

But yeah, I guess the rotary personality could jive with a stiffly sprung SVT Focus.

 

i wonder if they'd ever think of dropping one into the stang... i know you said lightweight, but hey, what the heck? might as well thrw the idea out tehre

 

I used to have an '85 RX-7 GSL-SE and it was really quick. Just for reference, here are some specs:

13B rotary, 1308cc, 135hp, 133tq
weight 2512 lbs
0-60 in 7.96 sec.
1/4 mile 16.06 @ 85.1 mph

 

I specified "light" because the rotary's torque deficiency isn't as notable when only pushing around a mere ton and some. But a bigger (maybe a 1.8 liter or a turboed motor) would generate enough twisting power to properly motivate a 'Stang. (Especially considering the V8 would no longer contribute to nose-heaviness.) Actually, come to think of it, a rotary would offer alot of benefits. Though the power rather than torque inclined motor is opposite to what Stang owners prefer, the decrease in torque would put less stress on the entire drivetrain (meaning lighter components could be used), the motor itself could be located physically lower and farther back in the engine bay (minimizing polar inertia by lowered center of gravity, and the aforementioned improvement in weight distribution).

I propose a ridiculously expensive and historically hilarious S/E: The Mustang Hybrid R. An ethanol powered, direct injection, turbocharged (safely unning at what would be otherwise insane psi thanks to the 105 octane rating of ethanol and cooling effect of direct injection) stripped out, 6-speed, 1.8 liter rotary powered, and electric motor augmented (that can take over completely at low speeds, thus negating the neccesity of clutchwork and shifting in heavy traffic).

Man, now THAT would be a Mustang!!1

Okay, it would be far from a Mustang, but it would be cool.

 

it would indeed be cool. some other guys tossed around ideas about hybrid stangs a while back. domt remember when or who exactly.

if i had money, and if that were built, that would be something i'd look into buying.

 

A rotary powered mustang? might as well finish it off with AWD and IRS.

 

Yep, ATTESSA four wheel steering too. And fan assisted downforce.

 

i don't see the rotary going into a mustang but if mazda green lights the kabura concept, then ford could use that platform for a small, light (2400-2800lbs), rwd small coupe, and utilizing either rotary or small 4 banger or both.

i found a similar topic @ rx8club, click here: http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=95200

 

Haha, I don't think futureniner or myself were particularly serious about the idea.

 

didnt think so, but can u imagine the weight savings!

 

Man, you know how to hurt a guy!

You forgot about making it a hybrid with a CVT and an active suspension using automatic dampers and airbags instead of springs

 

I doubt it...

 

I was thinking a dual clutch paddle-shifted 7-speed transaxle (the rotary would be almost THAT far back.) Further, that magnetic proactive suspension Bosch is developing would be nice...

All built within an zluminum space frame (of course).

 

You may be getting a little over the top with that list. I'm far more realistic. I'd be happy with just a CFRP chassis and graphite body panels. All for under $25k

 

Can't see this happening anytime soon. The push now is for Ford to develop more fuel efficient engines, and the RX-8's rotary gets worse fuel economy than a Mustang GT...much worse! Not to mention all the oil they require for lubrication and the problems many owners have had with flooding the engine.

 

, why so expensive? Ford should be able to give us that for just over $18k!