ROPES azda set to unveil new engine in Tokyo Automaker introducing innovative Miller-cycle engine at fall showcase IN 1967 Mazda introduced their first rotary-engined car to the automotive indusiry. OVERDRIVE _.. Simply called the R-100, it was the beginning of Mazda’s long commitment to this unconven- tional approach of powering automobiles. The earlier Wankel engines — based on a design developed in 1956 by Felix Wankel — suffered from various problems including ‘poor fuel economy, and had a detrimental effect on Mazda's reputation. But with great pa- tience and skill, Mazda revived the tarnished image of the rotary engine and now markets highly acclaimed cars like the RX-7 — the only rotary-equipped sports car in the world. History is about to repeat itself — albeit in a different fashion — 26 years later. Mazda announced recently that it has developed an innovative new engine for automotive ap- plications which operates dif- ferently from a conventional gas combustion engine. The new engine is called the Miller-cycle engine, named after Ralph Miller who came up with the original idea about 50 years ago. Though the Miller engines are used in other fields, such as boats, it is the first time such a power- train has been developed for pro- duction automobiles. The claims made by Mazda are quite astonishing. The Mazda Miller-cycle engine is said to pump out 1% times more torque than a conventional gasoline engine of the same size. Moreover, the Miller engine is supposed to sip 10-15% less gaso- . line when compared to an engine producing a similar power output, For example, if a normal engine | is capable of producing 100 Ib. “ft. of torque, and if Mazda designed a new Miller-type engine with a ‘similar power output, it would displace only 2.0 litres. 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The Miller engine is based on the basic principle that when a large volume of air is pushed into the combustion chamber — without increasing the engine size — the level of torque goes up. This seemingly simple idea, however, does not work well in a conventional gas engine — which is called the Otta-cycle engine —- because as the large amount of air is compressed during one of the engine stages, the temperature in- creases and causes engine knock- ing. Engineers try to correct this problem by decreasing what is known as the compression ratio, but this in turn reduces the expan- sion ratio because the compression and expansion ratio are the same in normal gas engines. The terminologies are confus- ing, but you just have to under- stand one fact: reducing expansion ratio has the effect of reducing fuel efficiency. The key iu increasing torque without reducing fuel economy, then, lies with the idea of pump- ing more air into the cylinder and decreasing the compression ratio without reducing the expansion ratio. The Miller engne achieves this feat by carefully timing the movement of the intake valve to ailow for the cylinder to move upward one-fifth of the way dur- ing its compression stage without actually compressing the air/gas mixture, So while the Otto-cycle engines have four basic stages — intake, compression, expansion and ex- haust stroke — the Miller-cvcle engines have five: the addition of a no-compression stage between the first and the second stage of the operation. The large amount of air, by the way, is pushed into the chamber area by means of a Lysholm Compressor, developed jointly with Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. of Japan (HD. According to industry sources, Entry le avel, AM/FM cass. stereo, intermittent wipers, rear ABS brakes, & full size spare. Nee 7 REGENCY (NORTHSHORE) MAZDA 700 Block, Marine Drive, North Vancouver 937- 4498 Dit? Mazda is expected to introduce this engine in a new model this fall at the 30th Tokyo Motor Show. This new production luxury automobile reportedly will have a front-wheel-drive layout and is based on a car that was destined to become one of the Amati lux- ury vehicles — a franchise cancelled fast year by Mazda. The new luxury sedan cpparent- ly will reach our shores next year but no one knows whether it will offer the Miller engine in North America initially. If the new innovative engine becomes a hit in Japan, though, you can bet your last dollar that the high-torque engine will become available here as well. Besides, while the unique rotary Wankel engine had its share of tough consumer acceptance in the beginning because its advantages were partly offset by the disad- vantages, it’s hard to picture any- one not welcoming the new Miller powertrain that promises extra torque literally for free, with no strings attached.