October 24, 2005 Mazda's SENKU concept vehicle debuted to the public at the 39th Tokyo Motor Show opening last Saturday and the carbon-fibre coloured machine turned out to be even more appealing in reality than it does in photos. The SENKU concept is billed as a “four-seater rotary sports car for adults” and offers a radical new departure in satisfying the desires, the pursuit of dreams and confident self-expression of mature drivers. The features include an ultra long wheelbase, minimal overhangs, a unique “floating” appearance supported by large tires, a smoothly dignified shape devoid of all ornamentation, and large "flying wing" electric powered sliding doors. These elements come together in a coupe form that is both dynamic and elegant. In the cabin, personal space was designed to give priority to the people seated in the front seats, and interior trim was executed in supple, high quality leather.
Located between the front and rear axles is the next generation 13B DI direct injection gasoline rotary engine with a hybrid unit.
This direct injection RE hybrid achieves high power output and lower fuel consumption along with the ideal 50:50 front/rear weight distribution and a low center of gravity, characteristic of Mazda sports cars, providing fun and dynamic driving.
The name “Senku” is a Japanese term meaning “pioneer”, depicting Mazda’s spirit of pursuing unique and exciting ventures - such as the rotary engine.
Also exhibited at the Tokyo show are the Mazda Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid concept vehicle, the next-generation MZR 2.3 DISI Turbo and Advanced Driver-Support Technologies.
Also on exhibit will be the next-generation MZR 2.3 DISI Turbo engine with direct injection that achieves clean, powerful performance; the Smart Idling Stop System which eliminates the need for an electric starter motor, and delivers quiet and quick starting; and Advanced Driver-Support Technologies that incorporates intelligent transport systems. Mazda is developing unique technologies to create vehicles that combine care for the environment while still retaining the sporting spirit.
Mazda Premacy Hydrogen RE (rotary engine) Hybrid concept
The Mazda Premacy Hydrogen RE (rotary engine) Hybrid concept features a hybrid power unit that combines a dual-fuel, hydrogen/gasoline rotary engine with an electric motor. The power unit is transversely mounted at the front in a front-wheel drive layout. The development team aimed to produce a vehicle with outstanding driving and environmental performance along with a comfortable, roomy interior. The power unit for the Mazda Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid concept incorporates a hydrogen rotary engine, offering dual fuel driving with hydrogen and gasoline, in tandem with an electric motor. The hydrogen rotary engine and the hybrid unit are transversely mounted at the front of the car in a FF layout, with the high voltage battery located beneath the second row seats and the high pressure hydrogen tank beside the third row seat. This efficient packaging allows the Hydrogen RE based hybrid system to achieve outstanding environmental and driving performance as well as a comfortably roomy interior.
MZR 2.3 DISI turbo Thanks to direct injection and a turbocharger, this engine—despite a relatively small displacement of 2.3 liters—achieves high, flat torque and superb response comparable to a 3.5 to 4-liter V6 power plant, in addition to superior fuel efficiency and environmental performance. MZR 2.3L DISI turbo for Mazdaspeed Atenza is the only turbo engine produced in Japan that meets SU-LEV standards. This high-power, eco-friendly engine is mounted in the Mazdaspeed Mazda6/Atenza and will also power other sports-grade vehicles, including the all-new Mazda MPV.
Smart Idling Stop System The Smart Idling Stop System eliminates the use of an electric starter motor to achieve quicker, quieter and more reliable restarting. The system precisely controls piston position when the engine stops, injecting a small amount of fuel, causing the engine to run slightly in reverse. The system then ignites the fuel in the cylinder that has begun compressing due to the engine's reverse rotation, restarting the engine.
Safety technologies: Integrated Vehicle Dynamics Control System A computer monitors the inputs received from the accelerator pedal, steering wheel, and brake pedal and uses them to determine the driver’s intentions. These are then compared with data from sensors to determine how much the vehicle's actual behavior differs from what the driver wanted to do. Whenever the results indicate the risk of a skid, the computer takes control of the brakes and engine and actively countersteers through the electric power steering system.
Sideswipe Preventing Communication System At junctions where the driver or onboard sensors and cameras cannot see or detect oncoming vehicles that are obscured by vehicles turning right or vehicles approaching from the sides, the Sideswipe Preventing Communication System exchanges data with approaching vehicles, alerts the driver to their presence using a display and audible warnings, thereby helping to prevent a sideswipe collision.
Adaptive Front Lighting System The Adaptive Front Lighting System automatically turns the vehicle’s low beams on in accordance with the steering angle and vehicle speed, illuminating the path through a curve or junction, enabling safer driving at night. This advanced active safety technology will make its market debut in the all-new Mazda MPV.