| Mazda HR-X | |
|---|---|
 Mazda HR-X inOtaru museum | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Mazda |
| Model years | 1991 |
| Assembly | Aki District, Hiroshima |
| Body and chassis | |
| Doors | Gullwing |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 2 rotorMazda Wankel engine |
| Transmission | 4-speedautomatic |
| Range | 190 km (120 mi) |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 3,850 mm (151.6 in) |
| Width | 1,700 mm (66.9 in) |
| Height | 1,450 mm (57.1 in) |
| Curb weight | 1,260 kg (2,778 lb) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | None |
| Successor | Mazda HR-X 2 |
TheMazda HR-X was the firsthydrogen poweredconcept car produced byMazda. The car was unveiled at theTokyo Motor Show in 1991. The car seated four passengers in a plastic shell and was powered by a two rotorWankel engine which propelled it to 130 km/h (81 mph). The hydrogen was stored in a cooled metal hydride tank and 3.32 kilograms (7.3 lb) provided a range of 190 km (120 mi). It was the first in a series of demonstrationhydrogen internal combustion engine vehicles produced by Mazda.
_02.jpg)
The Mazda HR-X was a small concept car developed by Mazda at their plant inAki District, Hiroshima to showcase the use ofhydrogen fuel as a possible environmentally friendly alternative for automotive transport.[1] The cabin accommodated four people who entered viagull-wing doors.[2][3] It was constructed of plastic and designed to be nearly completely recyclable. The car was 3,850 mm (151.6 in) long and 1,700 mm (66.9 in) wide, with a maximum height of 1,450 mm (57.1 in). Weight was 1,260 kilograms (2,778 lb).[3]
The car was powered by a two rotorWankel engine that produced 100 hp (75 kW) mounted in the rear. The Wankel engine was chosen as it solved the backfiring problems that beset previous attempts to run hydrogen in combustion engines.[4] 37 Nm3 (3.32 kg (7.3 lb)) of hydrogen was stored in a metal hydride tank that was refuelled by a single nozzle alongside water for cooling.[5] The engine was connected to the wheels via a 4 speedautomatic transmission, while aKERS-like system calledActive Torque Control System (ACTS) was used to recover braking energy and reuse it to improve acceleration.[2] The car was capable of a top speed of 130 km/h (81 mph) and had a range of 190 km (120 mi).[6]
A single example of the HR-X was displayed at theTokyo Motor Show in 1991 and then inNew York in 1992.[7] However, it was not ready for production and no more were produced afterwards.[2] The car was superseded by the more conventionalHR-X 2 a year later, the next in line of a number of Wankel-powered hydrogen-fuelled vehicles developed by Mazda.[8] The lineage culminated in theRX-8 Hydrogen RE andPremacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid produced in small quantities in 2007.[9]