Der Elektrowankelwagen.

"Group B-raaaaaaaaaap!" (AbarthGuy) 09/25/2013 at 07:04 • Filed to: Wankel Wednesday

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Behold! The Audi A1 e-tron concept, with Wankel range extender! Suck it, Volt.

Hermann > Group B-raaaaaaaaaap! 09/25/2013 at 07:25

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So it transforms engine oil and seals into electricity? Not sure if such a good deal.

Group B-raaaaaaaaaap! > Hermann 09/25/2013 at 08:01

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Well played! Still, I am enamored by the thought of a Baby Wankel buzzing away in the trunk.

Hermann > Group B-raaaaaaaaaap! 09/25/2013 at 08:05

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I have to admit that it's great. It's a piece of beauty this rotor lined with the electric motor. And the little window showing just a cylinder where a hybrid lies looks so futuristic. Loved this idea.

Jayhawk Jake > Hermann 09/25/2013 at 08:58

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Well running just as a generator would keep the engine from wearing down too quickly.

Honestly I'm a bit surprised no one thought of this yet. It's ultra compact and very smooth. Too bad that even if Audi made it, they probably would continue to keep the A-1 out of American hands.

Mikeado > Jayhawk Jake 09/25/2013 at 09:27

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When Mazda brings their "16X" new-gen rotary engien to market in the next year or three, there's a good chance it'll be used as a range extender as well as in a new RX model.

Not having a lot of torque isn't a problem when it's not actually driving the wheels, so a rotary engine is actually great as a range extender. Supposedly when they're running at a constant RPM they're very fuel efficient, as well as very light and very compact as you say. It's all the wins!

Unfortunately car companies at the moment probably can't afford to develop an all-new engine from scratch for such a purpose. I'd be interested to find out more about Audi's Wankel in this car, come to think of it.

EDIT - Wow, it's tiny! From Wikipedia:

A fully charged 12 kWh lithium-ion battery gives a maximum range of 50 kilometres (31 mi), after which a 254cc Wankel engine is used to power a 15 kW (20 PS; 20 bhp) generator with a 12 L (2.6 imp gal; 3.2 US gal) fuel tank. [26] This is estimated to provide an additional range of 124 mi (200 km). [25] The company claims the car weighs 1,190 kg (2,620 lb), can reach 62 mph (100 km/h) in 10.2 seconds and a maximum speed of 80 mph (129 km/h).

Hermann > Jayhawk Jake 09/25/2013 at 09:56

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I fully agree that it's a great idea. But you know I couldn't miss the joke, right?

I, too, wonder why no one thought of this. And being very small and for only short runs to extend the range, it's just a very elegant and excellent solution.

Also, doesn't it look futuristic? Especially with an awesome name like S-Tron.