At the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, Japanese automaker Mazda is exhibiting a new environmentally-friendly minivan called the Mazda5 Hydrogen RE Hybrid. This model is largely based on the regular Mazda5 as we know it. Currently under development, it's scheduled to begin leasing later this year.
Mazda5 Hydrogen RE Hybrid
The vehicle incorporates the dual-fuel system of the RX-8 Hydrogen RE, although it further enhances functionality and driving performance thanks to several key improvements, namely: a significantly extended range between fill-ups, a powerful fun-to-drive feeling as well as an increased seating capacity for five adults and greater cargo room.
Mazda is actively involved in designing unique technologies, including the hydrogen rotary engine, as part of its efforts to achieve sustainable development. Thus, Mazda's clean-energy vehicles, which run not only on hydrogen but also on gasoline and diesel, are expected to play a major role during the process of developing a hydrogen infrastructure network.
The main components of Mazda's hybrid system -- the hydrogen rotary engine, generator, inverter, electric motor and battery -- are optimally controlled to generate electricity, recharge and discharge the battery in accordance with driving conditions.
Power to spare
The output of this minivan is 40-percent higher than that of the RX-8 Hydrogen RE, which Mazda has been leasing to corporations and local government bodies since 2006. Because the RX-8 is a rear-wheel drive vehicle and the Mazda5, a front-wheel drive vehicle, the hydrogen rotary engine was changed from a longitudinal to a transverse layout.
At Mazda, the focus is on the environment!
Inside the Mazda5 Hydrogen RE Hybrid are plant-sourced biomaterials that help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This type of material offers excellent heat, shock, wear, fire and weather resistance. We should also add that Mazda became the first automaker to perform bumper recycling, collecting damaged bumpers from cars on the road, removing the paint and reusing the material for new bumpers -- like those of the Mazda5 Hydrogen RE Hybrid.
In order to develop such an environmentally-friendly vehicle, Mazda has been teamming up with companies, universities and the Hiroshima prefecture of the Japanese government.
Technical specifications of the Mazda5 Hydrogen RE Hybrid :
Overall length : 4,565 mm
Width : 1,745 mm
Height : 1,615 mm
Wheelbase : 2,750 mm
Engine type : RENESIS hydrogen rotary engine (dual-fuel system)
Electric motor : 150-hp synchronous motor
Battery : lithium-ion
Tires : Dunlop 195/65R15
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