Press release from mazda: HIROSHIMA, Japan--Mazda Motor Corporation has delivered one RX-8 Hydrogen RE vehicle each to its first two corporate customers for this model, Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd. in Tokyo, and Iwatani International Corporation in Osaka, Japan. RX-8 Hydrogen RE cars are equipped with a rotary engine and feature a dual-fuel system that allows the driver to select either hydrogen or gasoline with the flick of a switch. The vehicles that have been leased to Mazda's first two corporate fleet customers are based on Mazda's original body design but with specially added company decals for each customer's use. The delivery of these vehicles for fleet use marks the world's first case of leasing an internal combustion engine vehicle that can use both hydrogen and gasoline as fuel. 
Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE
(Top: Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd version.)
(Bottom: Iwatani International Corporation version) |
Akihiro Kashiwagi, RX-8 Hydrogen RE development program manager, said, "We're pleased to deliver these hydrogen rotary engine vehicles for fleet use in these two companies, which are participating in the Japan Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Demonstration Project (JHFC) and are actively engaged in advancing further uses of hydrogen energy. And we are looking forward to hearing feedback from our customers about the cars. Mazda will continue its efforts to improve the performance of hydrogen-fueled rotary engine vehicles and do its part to help achieve a more environmentally friendly hydrogen energy society in the future." Specifications and lease price of Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE | Vehicle | Type | Mazda ABA-SE3P 'Kai' (modified model) |
| Overall length/width/height | 4.435mm / 1.770mm / 1.340mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,700mm |
| Curb weight | 1,460kg |
| Seating capacity | 4 adults |
| Engine | Class | RENESIS hydrogen rotary engine |
| (Dual fuel system) |
| Type | 13B |
| Displacement | 0.654L x 2 |
| Maximum output | | Hydrogen | 80kW (109PS) | | Gasoline | 154kW (210PS) | |
| Maximum torque | | Hydrogen | 140Nm (14.3kgm) | | Gasoline | 222Nm (22.6kgm) | |
| Fuel | Type | Hydrogen/gasoline switch |
| Fuel tank | | Hydrogen | 110L/35MPa (350 bar) high pressure hydrogen tank | | Gasoline | 61L | |
| Performance | Cruising distance
(10-15 mode) | | Hydrogen | 100km | | Gasoline | 549km | |
*Standard lease price
(Price without tax indicated in brackets.) | 420,000 yen (400,000 yen) per month |
| | * | Monthly lease payment for the 30-month lease period. |
|
Mazda's hydrogen vehicle development milestones | 1991 | Developed the first hydrogen rotary engine vehicle, HR-X |
| 1992 | Test drive of golf cart equipped with fuel cell |
| 1993 | Developed second hydrogen rotary engine vehicle, HR-X2 |
| Developed test version of MX-5 equipped with hydrogen rotary engine |
| 1995 | Conducted Japan's first public road test with Capella Cargo equipped with hydrogen rotary engine |
| 1997 | Developed Demio (Mazda2) FC-EV |
| 2001 | Developed Premacy FC-EV and conducted first public road test in Japan (with methanol reformer fuel cell system) |
| 2003 | Announced Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen Rotary Engine vehicle development model |
| 2004 | Conducted the world's first public road tests of the RX-8 hydrogen rotary engine that can run on two types of fuel--hydrogen and gasoline |
# posted by MikeCohen-at-large @ 1:28 AM
