马自达RX-8后继车型的传言已经有好几年了，但直到现在，这款备受期待的车型终于要投产了，之所以这么说，是因为车厂已经提交了新的转子引擎的专利申请文件。据说该引擎功率超过400马力。这台转子引擎的纵轴经过了180度旋转，进气口低于排气口。这种配置可以降低引擎的安装高度及整车重心。同时，引擎采用顶置涡轮增压器和高位排气口。这样有助于使引擎内部获得更多空间安装前横向构件和一系列悬挂部件。该项专利还显示，引擎采用了一个三角转子和新的，更靠近燃烧室的喷油嘴。这些改变有助于提升提升引擎的燃油经济性。虽然马自达不愿透露转子引擎更多细节，但车厂在去年东京车展发布了RX-Vision概念车，同时表示，该车将在未来某一天变成现实。该车采用后轮驱动并搭载了全新的Skyactiv-R转子引擎。

 

Mazda patents a new rotary engine, could produce 400+ hp

Rumors of a Mazda RX-8 successor have been swirling for years but it appears the highly-anticipated model could finally be headed for production as the automaker has filed a patent application for a new rotary engine.

 

While the application is full of boring technical details, a few interesting things happen to stand out including Mazda's decision to rotate the engine 180 degrees about its longitudinal axis. This is a tad peculiar but it will enable the model to have improved packaging under the hood.

 

Speaking of the latter, the engine has a top-mounted turbocharger and high exhaust ports. This will free up space under the hood for a front crossmember and an assortment of suspension components.

 

The patent goes on to say the engine will have a tri-angle rotor and new fuel injectors which are located closer to the combustion chamber. This change will help to improve fuel efficiency which was a bit of an issue with the company's last rotary engine.

 

Mazda has been relatively tight-lipped about its rotary engine plans but the company showed the RX-Vision concept at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show and confirmed it was something the company "hopes to one day make into reality." Mazda was coy on specifics but confirmed the concept was rear-wheel drive and featured an all-new Skyactiv-R rotary engine.

 

Mazda declined to release performance specifics but Car & Driver is reporting the engine could produce more than 400 horsepower.