Mazda has been flirting with the idea of launching a high-performance electrified vehicle for years. Historically, there has been talk of the possibility that this includes the famous Wankel rotary engine that the Japanese company claims. Now, all these rumors have gained more significance, thanks to the leak of a patent registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, which has been published by The Drive.
First of all, it should be specified that the fact that a brand registers a patent does not mean that it will be marketed, but that the company takes care not to launch other similar products. What this means, however, is that the company in question is at least toying with the idea of bringing this type of vehicle to market, which promises to be a blow to the industry.
This isn’t the first time an interesting Mazda patent has come to light. A few months ago we already learned about the company’s intention to launch a 100% electric vehicle that could be based on the Mazda3. However, this new leak could be focusing on a more elite segment, as its own concept and specifications point towards a completely revolutionary vehicle.
Up to three motors will feed the front axle and an additional electric one will do the same on the rear axle.
Mazda’s patent isn’t specifically descriptive of what the hypothetical final model could feature, but it does mention some specific elements. Notably, its Wankel-type gasoline heat engine would be placed in the forward position. It will be supported by three additional electric motors. The first pair of those will be induction and will provide an additional 23 CV to the front wheels. The third motor will be synchronous with permanent magnets and will deliver up to 36 CV to its rear axle, thus giving the model all-wheel drive.
This scheme of different types of electric motors makes a lot of sense, he explains to The Drive, because each one’s power delivery is done very differently, so they’ll provide Mazda’s electrified car with a much tighter torque curve. Linear throughout the rev range.
Mazda’s electrified car offers a very specific battery architecture.
On the other hand, its battery also presents a very interesting system as it provides variable voltage depending on the situation. The patent claims it will link four 48-volt modules together in a single package. When low capacity or mere support is required, the power system will be low, as it will operate as a car known as a mild-hybrid. However, as soon as the user needs more of a push, the battery will use an electrical switch to reconfigure the remaining cells so that the element operates at 96 volts. As the patent shows, this design will save weight all over, something important for a model of these specifications.
To date, no further details are known about this so-called high-performance model, nor whether or not Mazda will ever build it in series; It is possible that the brand uses this mechanical architecture in some other model and not necessarily in an alleged sports coupe.
