The rotary engine is back! After a long development program, Mazda has finally confirmed the return of its famous rotary engine – but it’s not under the bonnet of an RX-series sports car, but of a new variant of the MX-30 small SUV. Dubbed the 2023 Mazda MX-30 R-EV, the new rotary engine is used as the car’s range extender for when the 17.8kWh battery has been depleted. Mazda Australia is yet to confirm the MX-30 R-EV for local sales just yet but it’s due to go on sale in Europe soon.
“We designed the MX-30 e-Skyactiv R-EV as a new plug-in hybrid model that combines the best aspects of all-electric vehicles and series hybrids to offer customers more ways of using their car as an electric vehicle.” said the MX-30 R-EV program manager, Wakako Uefuji.
“Uniquely, the MX-30 e-Skyactiv R-EV uses a rotary engine to generate power, a symbol of Mazda’s ‘never-stop challenging’ spirit – our special love of a new challenge and determination to push through despite the odds.”
Under the bonnet of the 2023 Mazda MX-30 R-EV is an 830cc 55kW/116Nm single-rotor rotary engine that provides propulsion for the car – but it never directly powers the wheels, instead acting as a generator for when the 17.8kWh battery pack has been depleted. The motor powering the wheels makes 125kW of power and 260Nm of torque and its claimed 0-100km/h sprint time is 9.1 seconds.
According to Mazda, in combined driving, the 2023 Mazda MX-30 R-EV will travel up to 85km on electric power alone – though this can be increased to 110km in urban driving. Afterwards, the rotary range extender kicks in with its 50-litre fuel tank to achieve a maximum driving range of over 600km. According to the WLTP cycle, the MX-30 R-EV’s combined fuel consumption is 1.0L/100km.
Charging the 2023 Mazda MX-30 R-EV can be done using a DC fast charger up to 36kW for a 20 to 80 per cent charge in 25 minutes – using a slower 7.2kW AC system increases this to just under an hour.
Aside from the new drivetrain, the 2023 MX-30 ushers in a few small changes like a new ‘Moulin Rouge’ colour and a vehicle-to-load (V2L) feature, but it’s otherwise unchanged. Europe will get a special ‘Edition R’ special edition, which is limited to 400 units for the UK and features special trims like the new ‘Moulin Rouge’ colour on the roof, floor mats and seats with piping, embossed headrests, a special key and new 18-inch alloy wheels.
The 2023 Mazda MX-30 R-EV will go on sale in Europe shortly, with Australian sales yet to be confirmed. Stay tuned to DiscoverAuto for the latest automotive news and reviews.
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