Mazda hydrogen rotary hybrid hauler
Premacy Hydrogen RE makes Mazda's greenest statement yetMazda's Premacy peoplemover is carrying the company's green-car mantle with its application of the hydrogen rotary hybrid formula first used in the RX-8 released in 2006.
Unlike the RX-8, the hatch offers daily driving versatility for five passengers and a range up to 200km. The Premacy's drivetrain is rated at 110kW, combining an electric motor receiving regenerative feed to drive the wheels. Normally powered by a conventional reciprocating petrol engine, the Premacy Hydrogen RE features Mazda's trademark rotary powerplant.
Benefits of using hydrogen fuel include a relatively innocent emission in the form of water vapour. Mazda's decades-long adherence to rotary engine technology has paid off because rotaries, rather than conventional engines, burn hydrogen fuel more efficiently.
Due to its flammability, hydrogen is susceptible to preignition due to high temperatures usually emanated from spark-plugs but this is contained in a rotary engine because the design of the rotary means the combustion chamber is separated from the intake chamber. In short, 'abnormal' combustion is less likely in a rotary than a hydrogen-fuelled conventional reciprocating engine.
Using the dual-fuel system, Mazda's HR engine can resort to petrol in the event hydrogen is unavailable. At this stage, without a decent number of hydrogen filling stations on offer it's a necessary inclusion.
The Premacy also uses what Mazda calls its Biotechmaterials movement towards implementing more plant-based component materials in the use of plastics and fabrics.
The Premacy was last offered to local buyers in 2002, but remains on sale in Europe as the Mazda5. Mazda Australia has no plans to introduce the Mazda5 because it believes the segment is accommodated by the CX-7 in Australia.
As of March this year, government and energy agencies in Japan are taking part in a lease agreement for use of the vehicles.
Mazda is making the clean-burning Premacy available to journalists during the upcoming Tokyo motor show. Visit the Carsales Network again for our drive review.
Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at www.carsales.mobi
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
