# Mazda RX9 Concept -- A hybrid?!?1 **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Automotive\ **Created:** [April 27, 2006, 6:14am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/mazda-rx9-concept-a-hybrid-1/11325 "2006-04-27T06:14:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Locutus](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/locutus/32/7574_2.png) [@Locutus](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Locutus)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2006, 6:14am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/mazda-rx9-concept-a-hybrid-1/11325/1 "2006-04-27T06:14:17Z")
Website: [http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/26/mighty-morphin-tire-technology-on-mazda-rx-9/](http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/26/mighty-morphin-tire-technology-on-mazda-rx-9/) cp of the article 4 da laZie: > **Mazda RX-9 features Mighty Morphin’ tire technology and energy absorbant skin** > > Posted Apr 26th 2006 3:24PM by [John Neff](http://www.autoblog.com/bloggers/john-neff) > Filed under: [Concept Cars](http://www.autoblog.com/category/conceptcars/), [Detroit Auto Show](http://www.autoblog.com/category/detroit-auto-show/), [Hybrids/Alternative](http://www.autoblog.com/category/hybrids/), [Sports/GTs](http://www.autoblog.com/category/sports/), [Green](http://www.autoblog.com/category/green/), [Tech](http://www.autoblog.com/category/tech/), [Mazda](http://www.autoblog.com/category/mazda/) > > The Mazda RX-9 is an advanced concept that came out on top in this year’s Michelin Design Challenge. It’s a hybrid featuring a 2.5L V6 and wafer-thin electric motor, but features a couple of technologies not seen before in the race for higher fuel mileage. > > James Owen Design is the one-man firm responsible for penning the vehicle’s shape. The [slick skin](http://www.jamesowendesign.com/michelin1.html) features electrostatic collectors that can collect electrical charges that build up on the exterior panels while driving through dry air. The electricity is store in capacitors that can then feed the hybrid drivetrain along with the onboard regenerative braking. > > What’s more trick are the vehicle’s tires, which feature [Electroactive Polymers (E.A.P.)](http://www.jamesowendesign.com/michelin2.html) that with varying levels of voltage from the vehicle’s electrical system can actually change the shape and depth of their tread pattern. The rubber donuts can go from flat and smooth to knobby and grippy, or even ride high on their centers for ultra-low rolling resistance. > > Follow the jump for further exposition provided by James Owen himself and for additional images. High res images can be found at the above links. > > [Source: James Owen Design] > > James Owen Design has recently completed the Mazda RX-9 / Michelin > E.A.P. transportation concept which was a Winner of the Michelin Challenge > Design at the 2006 North American International Auto Show. > > Michelin E.A.P. is a tire system designed to take advantage of current > and forthcoming advances in hybrid drive train technology. E.A.P. > stands for Electroactive Polymer, which are also known as artificial muscles > for their functional similarity to natural muscles. E.A.P.s are plastic > materials that change shape and size when a given voltage or current is > applied. These new and advanced polymers have been crossbred with > hybrid engine technology and vehicle mounted, electrostatic collectors to > create a new kind of adaptive tire concept. > > Michelin E.A.P.s work in conjunction with the proposed Mazda RX-9’s > hybrid drive train, electrostatic collectors, and onboard capacitor. The > E.A.P. wheel and tire assembly draws voltage from the hybrid engines’ > batteries and capacitor. This voltage activates the articulated treading > that responds to changing road conditions. The batteries build up a > charge through regenerative braking and engine charging while the > capacitor gathers electrical energy through electrostatic nodes located at > strategic points on the vehicles skin. As the vehicle travels through the > dry California air, an electrical charge is built-up on the exposed > metal areas of the RX9. This continual build up is channeled to the > batteries and on-board capacitor for distribution to the tires and other > systems. > > Michelin E.A.P.s are designed to “morph” from one mode to another when > voltage is applied to the electroactive polymer that each tire is made > up of. This allows the tires’ tread pattern to change shape and depth. > In this way, the tire can be optimized for various road conditions. The > tread can change from a smooth, even shape to take advantage of the dry > road conditions of L.A. County to fully protruded tread sections that > are optimized to bite through the snow and slush of Mt. Shasta. “Low > Rolling Resistance” is one of the most useful and relevant modes for the > California market. This mode allows the RX-9 to cruise on it’s narrow > center section of tread. Since commuting is a major part of Californians > lifestyle it is absolutely critical that a vehicle and it’s tires are > optimized to return the highest gas mileage and lowest emissions > possible. > > The Mazda RX-9 puts its power to the ground via Michelin E.A.P. tire > technology. Combined with a four-wheel drive system, regenerative > braking, cylinder deactivation at cruising speeds, and lightweight bodywork > the RX-9 can feasibly deliver 30 to 40 m.p.g., achieve low six second 0 - > 60 M.P.H. times, and attain a top speed north of 150 m.p.h. The front, > transversely mounted hybrid drive train consists of a multi-valve 2.5 > liter V6 coupled to a wafer-thin electric motor/generator sandwiched > between the engine and six-speed transmission. The RX-9 is configured to > seat four passengers comfortably. It incorporates two smaller rear doors > (that deploy in a clamshell fashion) easing ingress and egress for rear > passengers. The doors and inner doorframe are part of a larger > internal structure that combines an aluminum space frame with composite > exterior surfaces and electrostatic collection nodes. These nodes transfer > electrical energy to an on-board capacitor. This energy is gathere > d as the vehicle travels through the dry California atmosphere and is > utilized to power the Michelin E.A.P. tire system. ---
**Author:** ![ezfd](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/ezfd/32/7334_2.png) [@ezfd](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ezfd)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2006, 6:31am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/mazda-rx9-concept-a-hybrid-1/11325/2 "2006-04-27T06:31:58Z")
hmmm… ---
**Author:** ![MaximaSE98](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/maximase98/32/7600_2.png) [@MaximaSE98](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/MaximaSE98)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2006, 6:37am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/mazda-rx9-concept-a-hybrid-1/11325/3 "2006-04-27T06:37:14Z")
fugly…although i am sure many stages of change will happend if it makes it to production ---
**Author:** ![StrokedZ28](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/strokedz28/32/7592_2.png) [@StrokedZ28](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/StrokedZ28)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2006, 6:39am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/mazda-rx9-concept-a-hybrid-1/11325/4 "2006-04-27T06:39:36Z")
Thanks but no thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Onyx\_Z32](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/onyx_z32/32/7581_2.png) [@Onyx\_Z32](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Onyx_Z32)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2006, 9:32am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/mazda-rx9-concept-a-hybrid-1/11325/5 "2006-04-27T09:32:43Z")
Wow @ the tech put into that thing! ---
**Author:** ![Ninja](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/53a042/32.png) [@Ninja](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Ninja)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2006, 10:01am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/mazda-rx9-concept-a-hybrid-1/11325/6 "2006-04-27T10:01:30Z")
[homervoice] mmmmmm E.A.P. [/homervoice] ---
**Author:** ![jeeves744](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jeeves744/32/7619_2.png) [@jeeves744](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/jeeves744)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2006, 10:10am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/mazda-rx9-concept-a-hybrid-1/11325/7 "2006-04-27T10:10:30Z")
cool in thought, but would never work in the anytime near future. Those tires alone probably cost more then my whole car, and just think what would happen if a rock hit that skin. I wouldnt want to see the repair bill for that. ---
**Author:** ![Bacon](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/bacon/32/7230_2.png) [@Bacon](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Bacon)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2006, 10:18am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/mazda-rx9-concept-a-hybrid-1/11325/8 "2006-04-27T10:18:05Z")
Holy crap that is some crazy technology. Very cool! The design looks like a hot-wheels car though. :tdown: ---
**Author:** ![SkunkApe](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/skunkape/32/7575_2.png) [@SkunkApe](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/SkunkApe)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2006, 10:20am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/mazda-rx9-concept-a-hybrid-1/11325/9 "2006-04-27T10:20:11Z")
it may be awesome technology…but that is one of the ugliest things i have seen ---
**Author:** ![raven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9fc348/32.png) [@raven](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/raven)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2006, 11:54am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/mazda-rx9-concept-a-hybrid-1/11325/10 "2006-04-27T11:54:48Z")
How can they say “RX” with no rotary? :o ---
**Author:** ![Pass\_McGass](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/pass_mcgass/32/7616_2.png) [@Pass\_McGass](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Pass_McGass)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2006, 11:56am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/mazda-rx9-concept-a-hybrid-1/11325/11 "2006-04-27T11:56:52Z")
it looks ugly in the pics, but imagine seeing that thing in person driving towards you. I bet it looks amazing. anyways, id love to see that thing go into production :tup: ---
**Author:** ![TrueBlue](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/trueblue/32/7245_2.png) [@TrueBlue](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/TrueBlue)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2006, 12:34pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/mazda-rx9-concept-a-hybrid-1/11325/12 "2006-04-27T12:34:14Z")
> [@raven](#): > > How can they say “RX” with no rotary? :o :wstupid: the tire tech is insane by itself…