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The Drive
a day ago
- Automotive
- The Drive
Massively Turbocharged Five-Rotor Sounds More Like an F1 V10 Than an F1 V10
The latest car news, reviews, and features. I don't know about you all, but I'm tired of every high-revving engine being compared to a Formula 1 V10. Like, I get it—YouTubers want clicks and we car people are suckers for that sweet 2000s nostalgia. But the truth is, most of the time, whatever garage-built project they're talking about doesn't sound like an F1 V10. This insane five-rotor with a 106-millimeter turbo, however, does. It's the work of David Mazzei, who started a company called Mazzei Formula. He specializes in nasty rotary engines, and before this, he crafted a four-rotor for an FD RX-7. This build, dubbed the Formula Five, uses a Superlite SL-C kit car as its base and goes wild from there. Mazzei started the project in 2021 when he acquired the SL-C. He wrote about his plans for the car in a forum post: 'Five-rotor, first one in the world. Crankshaft is currently off for balancing. We plan to run a billet engine, full peripheral port, and a modified G57 turbo to achieve around 1,500 [rear-wheel horsepower] and produce a V10 F1 sound. Rotary fires 1x per rev, four-stroke piston fires once every other rev. With the 72-degree lobe angle offsets, and an equal length five-into-one collector with merge angle and collector design mimicking the [Mazda] 787b four-rotor, we theorize it should sound identical to a V10 F1 at 18,000 [rpm] when running at 9,000 rpm. Major third harmonic, one being root tonic, and the third and octave above the root.' To me, that sounds like a guy who knows what he's talking about. Fast forward roughly four years, and Mazzei has made good on his promise. He uploaded a video earlier this week showing the Formula Five on the road with cameras inside the car and out. My favorite view has to be the rear-facing angle, focusing on the engine and the massive 106-millimeter turbo strapped to the back. It has an air-actuated Holinger MXT sequential transaxle that only makes the sound better as he clicks through the gears. And as for the 3.3-liter engine, it has a six-stage dry sump oiling system with a cable-driven, spur-geared fuel pump. Being honest with you guys, I didn't even know a dry sump system could have six stages, and I've never heard of a spur-geared fuel pump. I guess that means I need to spend more time in the pits. Watching this video makes me realize that I'll never be able to build something like this. And you know what? That's fine. I'm more than happy to leave the crazy projects to people like Mazzei with the smarts and—importantly—patience to make them happen. Man, what a sound. Got a tip or question for the author? Contact them directly: caleb@
Motor 1
27-05-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
Mazda's First Electric Car Is Dead in Europe
Raise your hand if you saw this coming. After exiting the US a couple of years ago, the purely electric MX-30 is also dead in Europe (including the UK). We noticed the model's absence from several configurators across the Old Continent, so we contacted Mazda to find out what's happening. Sure enough, the small crossover without a combustion engine has been quietly retired. Here's what Monique Clark from the company's UK PR office told us: 'The MX-30 BEV has been removed from sale in Europe, and all examples in the UK have now been sold. The Mazda MX-30 BEV has ceased production for both Europe and the UK. However, the award-winning MX-30 R-EV continues to be available for customers who want the EV driving experience with the range confidence provided by the rotary engine generator.' Europeans can still buy the MX-30 e-Skyactiv R-EV , a mouthful of a name for the range-extending version. It's the only production vehicle with a rotary engine, though it doesn't drive the wheels. Instead, the small 830-cc naturally aspirated single-rotor unit acts as a generator to charge a 17.8-kWh battery pack. Mazda doesn't sell this version in North America, where a more powerful two-rotor setup is in development for an unspecified model. Plot twist: The rotary MX-30 isn't the only flavor with a combustion engine. In Japan and other markets, it's also offered with a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter gasoline engine featuring mild-hybrid technology. Mazda started production of the small crossover and its RX-8-styled suicide doors about five years ago. Mazda is launching a larger EZ-60 SUV in China with a range-extender, though not a rotary one. It's expected to reach other markets, especially since the EZ-6 sedan has already been rebadged as the 6e in Europe. Similarly, the EZ-60 could be renamed CX-6e for Europe and other regions. But because these vehicles are made in China, they're unlikely to be sold in the US due to newly imposed tariffs. 2024 Mazda MX-30 (UK-spec) 95 Although the MX-30 will be remembered as Mazda's first mass-produced EV, there was one before it. In 2012, Mazda launched the Demio/Mazda2 EV subcompact hatchback in Japan as a limited series of about 100 units. However, all were leased to local governments and corporate clients near the company's headquarters in the Chugoku region. Mazda's first dedicated electric vehicle platform will be ready in 2027, and a 'full-scale launch of EVs' will begin a year later. Catch Up With Mazda: Mazda Will Put a Bigger Engine in the Next Miata New Mazda CX-5 Stalked in Traffic Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Source: Mazda Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
