Audi Wankel

[Grant Lenahan]

I wonder why an wankel was selected in a vehicle being optimized for 
efficiency?  Wankels are know to be fairly fuel inefficient....

Maybe at a constant 5k rpm they are better. But the same is true for a 
reciprocating design - it can be optimized for minimal pumping losses 
and volumetric efficiency if the one true speed is known

Grant

On 6/22/2010 4:25 PM, Mike Arman wrote:
>
> Article in "Epitrochoid", newsletter for Wankel engine motorcycles (UK Norton, RE-5, Hercules W2000)
> talks about a Wankel engine in the Audi A-1 E-tron hybrid.
>
> The 254 cc single rotor Wankel engine runs at a steady 5,000 rpm, drives a generator to re-charge
> the batteries. Makes 15 KW (about 20 hp, sounds about right for this displacement), total weight of
> engine and generator is 70 kg +/- (154 lbs) including intake, exhaust, cooling system, subframe.
>
> It is a range-extender, the E-1 is driven by an electric motor, does 0-60 in 10.2 seconds.
>
> According to Audi UK, Audi itself makes the engine, it isn't bought out. This makes sense, all that
> NSU Spyder and RO-80 tooling, etc., just been sitting around for years . . .
>
>
> I'd like to see/drive this car, and I'd like to see what Audi will be doing along these lines in
> five or ten years from now.
>
>
> Of course what I'd really like to see is a Wankel R-8 convertible with say a four or six rotor
> engine and 750 hp ;-)
>
>
> Best Regards,
>
> Mike Arman
> Round pistons? Who uses ROUND pistons any more?
>
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