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TKART magazine First Analysis | 2017 evolution of Rotax engines
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2017 EVOLUTION OF ROTAX ENGINES

TKART Staff
09 February 2017
The well-known Austrian manufacturer takes a new step forward in engine evolution. The focus is on greater reliability and performance consistency
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2017 ENGINES
NEW CONTROL UNIT
CYLINDER & BATTERY
ADDED VALUE
INSIDE OPINION
TECH SHEET

With its various classes, Rotax has managed to create one of the most successful international mono-brand championships. Its strengths are the performance of its engine, their ease of management and reliability. 2017 sees the Austrian company raising its game once again, introducing a number of upgrades for the engine management control unit, the battery housing and its power switch, the electrical system wiring and the cylinder. The objective: to further improve reliability and, a very important factor especially for mono-brand classes, standardise performance of the various engines of the same type even more.

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125 JUNIOR MAX
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125 MAX DD2
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125 MICRO MAX
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125 MAX
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Spark plug
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Support plate system
2017 ENGINES
NEW CONTROL UNIT
CYLINDER & BATTERY
ADDED VALUE
INSIDE OPINION
TECH SHEET

A lot of work was done on the control unit (ECU) used on the Rotax 125 Junior MAX, 125 MAX, Micro and Mini MAX engines. Firstly, its position has been changed and can now be found on the left of the battery housing. This solution reduces vibration level on the ECU. Slightly modified ignition timing which allows the use of a bigger main jet which will improve the throttle response at low rpm and still enable the engine to reach rpm until the rev limiter set at 14,800 rpm. The new control unit is also more "forgiving" on a non perfect carburetor calibration.

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2017 ENGINES
NEW CONTROL UNIT
CYLINDER & BATTERY
ADDED VALUE
INSIDE OPINION
TECH SHEET

Interesting work was also done on the cylinder, which is now made using even more advanced technology and, in particular, by machining the exhaust port using CNC (Computer Numeric Control). This solution, used on Rotax Junior Max 125, 125 Micro and Mini Max Evo cylinders, provides higher quality and performance consistency and, according to Rotax, represents a new benchmark for the market.
Also new is the battery housing, which now has a multi-function push-button switch. Featuring a more straightforward connection to the wiring, the new switch is also better protected from accidental operation than the previous turn-key model.
The wiring in general has also been revised and is now more compact and features simplified connections.

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