The Mazda Future: Mazda RX-9 Concept
Sierra Mazda presents the Mazda RX-9, which is an advanced concept that came out on top as a winner in this year’s Michelin Design Challenge. The Mazda RX-9 is a hybrid featuring both a 2.5L V6 and wafer-thin electric motor. However, with the Mazda RX-9, Mazda also showcases some technologies not ever seen before in the recently all-important race for higher fuel mileage on the world’s roads.
James Owen Design is the one-man firm (no, not like Knight Rider) responsible for penning the new Mazda spec vehicle’s shape. Some of the slick skin features include electrostatic collectors that can collect electrical charges that build up on the exterior panels while driving through dry air. Turning electric garbage into energy used. The electricity take from the exterior panels is stored in capacitors that can then feed the Mazda hybrid drivetrain along with the onboard regenerative braking. We love it. The more Mazda gadgets the better…
Mazda Transforming Tires
A lot of the focus of the new Mazda spec vehicle is located around vehicle’s tires, which feature Electroactive Polymers (E.A.P.) that with varying levels of voltage from the vehicle’s electrical system can actually change the shape and depth of their tread pattern. The rubber donuts can go from flat and smooth to knobby and grippy, or even ride high on their centers for ultra-low rolling resistance. All of this is of course a huge evolutionary milestone for Mazda cars, Mazda dealers and cars everywhere.
More on Shape-Shifting Mazda Tires
The Michelin E.A.P. is a technologically advanced tire system engineered to take advantage of current and future advances in hybrid drive train technology. E.A.P. stands for Electroactive Polymer, which are also known as artificial muscles for their functional similarity to natural muscles on actual living things. E.A.P.s are plastic materials which conform to change shape and size, when a given voltage or current is sent through the material (similar to the flexing of human muscles). These new and advanced polymers have been crossbred with hybrid engine technology and vehicle mounted, electrostatic collectors to create a new kind of adaptive tire future-forward concept.
Fancy Tires for Future Mazdas
Michelin E.A.P.s work in conjunction with many of other newly proposed advanced technology, such as Mazda RX-9’s hybrid drive train, electrostatic collectors, and onboard capacitor. The E.A.P. wheel and tire assembly draws voltage from the hybrid engines’ batteries and capacitor. This voltage activates the articulated treading that responds to changing road conditions. The batteries build up a charge through regenerative braking and engine charging while the capacitor gathers electrical energy through electrostatic nodes located at strategic points on the vehicles skin. As the vehicle travels through the dry California air, an electrical charge is built-up on the exposed metal areas of the RX9. This continual build up is channeled to the batteries and on-board capacitor for distribution to the tires and other systems. It’s kind of like a complex energy feedback loop (as cars get greener and somewhat more complex, we hope that cost reduction and ease of maintenance features are considered for new Mazdas).
Reinventing the Wheel: Changing for Traction
Michelin E.A.P.s are engineered to “morph” from one setting to another when voltage is applied to the electroactive polymer that the tires consist of. These multiple settings allow the tires’ tread pattern to change shape and depth, in order for the tires to adapt snugly for various road conditions in cities and highways. The tread can change from a smooth, even shape to take advantage of the dry road conditions for Mazdas of L.A. County to fully protruded tread sections that are optimized to bite through the snow and slush of Mt. Shasta. “Low Rolling Resistance” is one of the most useful and relevant modes for the California market. This mode allows the RX-9 to cruise on it’s narrow center section of tread. Since commuting is a major part of Californians lifestyle (especially here in Southern California) it is absolutely critical that a vehicle and it’s tires are optimized to return the highest gas mileage while most importantly, sending the lowest emissions possible into the Californian air.
The Mazda RX-9 uses change and advanced technology to control the road via Michelin E.A.P. tire technology. Combined with a four-wheel drive system, regenerative braking, cylinder deactivation at cruising speeds, and lightweight bodywork the RX-9 can feasibly deliver 30 to 40 m.p.g., achieve low six second 0 - 60 M.P.H. times, and attain a top speed north of 150 m.p.h. The front, transversely mounted hybrid drive train consists of a multi-valve 2.5 liter V6 coupled to a wafer-thin electric motor/generator sandwiched between the engine and six-speed transmission. The Mazda RX-9 is configured to seat four passengers comfortably and consists of two smaller rear doors (that deploy in a clamshell fashion). These small backseat doors are small in size but offer ease of entry and exit in a tight space. The doors and inner doorframe are part of a larger internal structure that combines an aluminum space frame with composite exterior surfaces and electrostatic collection nodes. These nodes transfer electrical energy to an on-board capacitor. This energy is gathered as the vehicle travels through the dry California atmosphere and is utilized to power the Michelin E.A.P. tire system.
Science Fiction like Mazda and Michelin technology to bring you into a greener future.
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I love the lines on the car and sketched cars like this at Art Center studying car design all the time but seriously how does one see anything out the front and back. Sunlight/glare on glass is tough enough. If you put your head at the roof of the canopy and tilted it back a bit you could see cars far away but nothing up close like potholes or children etc. I just wish that we could get over really cool looking lines and address real driving issues.