Aug

Mazda Building a Volt Of Its Own

Posted by admin Published in Mazda

General Motors hopes the Chevrolet Volt will seize the green mantle from the Toyota Prius and prove Japan doesn’t have a lock on technological innovation, but it could be Mazda the General should be worrying about.

Autocar reports that Mazda’s engineers are developing a range-extended electric vehicle much like the car GM is working 24/7 to put in showrooms by the end of 2010.

Mazda could be right behind them with a Volt of its own, which means Ford could be as well.

Autocar quotes unnamed “senior sources” saying Mazda is checking an electric car that uses a Wankel rotary engine to charge the battery. It’s the same approach GM is taking with the Volt, which will feature a 1.4-liter gasoline engine

and lithium-ion battery. Things are going so well for Mazda that it’s got a prototype — a modified a Mazda MPV — undergoing road tests. Mazda’s brass hats are inclined to produce the car but won’t manufacture a firm decision until battery costs come down. GM, on the other hand, is willing to lose its shirt on the Volt.

What makes that particularly interesting is Ford owns Mazda, which means anything Mazda builds could seem in showrooms with a blue oval on the hood. Looks like the race is on.

Photo of regular MPV by Mazda.

Original post by Chuck Squatriglia