2008 Detroit Auto Show: Mazda5 Hydrogen RE Hybrid

What it Is Mazda5 Hydrogen RE Hybrid Concept Preview – Detroit Auto Show: Sure, it may look like your run-of-the-mill Mazda5 mini minivan, albeit dressed up with some unique graphics, but in reality the vehicle you’re looking at is all about the future. Marking the second generation of Mazda’s hydrogen technology, the Mazda5 Hydrogen RE (HRE) replaces the brand’s original hydrogen project, the RX-8 HRE. The new variant adds a hybrid system and a larger hydrogen fuel tank, granting the Mazda5 HRE more power and a greater travel range. It will undergo real-world testing when examples are leased in Japan later this year...for about $4,000 per month.Why it Matters With few exceptions, every major automaker has announced the development and eventual debut of a vehicle that runs or hydrogen, but relatively few have actually put an operating model on the road. Mazda is among that elite group, and demonstrates its commitment to this technology by releasing the Mazda5, a more powerful and capable example to undergo real-world testing when leased in Japan later this year. Couple this step with the recent release of the Honda FCX Clarity, and the realization of hydrogen-powered vehicles for the masses appears to be inching ever closer. What’s Under the Hood It’s not often that you’ll hear about a Mazda5 out-muscling an RX-8, but that’s just the case here. The RX-8 HRE was developed first and has been leased to governments for the past couple of years, but technology has advanced since then, allowing for the release of a more powerful Mazda5 HRE. At the heart of the vehicle is a Renesis rotary engine that can be fueled by hydrogen or gasoline, and is now paired with a hybrid system that addresses the need for more low-end torque. With the addition of the hybrid system, as well as increased hydrogen capacity, the Mazda5 HRE doubles the range of the RX-8 HRE. What We Think Clean and efficient, already common automotive buzz words, are destined to be among the primary focal points of future car buyers. To fulfill an increasing demand for lower emissions and increased miles-per-gallon, automakers are working on a variety of technologies, from hybrids and full-electrics to biofuels and hydrogen. Regardless your stance on the role that automobiles play in terms of environmental concerns, the development of more eco-friendly rides like the Mazda5 HRE has to be viewed as a positive step forward.