ICE for REx: LiquidPiston Turns the Wankel Engine Inside Out for a Perfect Range Extender

When I wrote about Mazda’s attempt to create the perfect range extender, I mentioned I wanted to examine the ideas that seem to be closer to that goal. Unfortunately, the Japanese company’s attempt with the MX-30 R-EV failed, giving us a rotary internal combustion engine (ICE) that weighs as much as Ford’s 1-liter Ecoboost unit. There is no better way to start presenting the other range extender options than one that turned the Wankel inside out. (continue reading...)