Mazda’s Rotary Engine Returns as a Hybrid Range Extender

Mazda enthusiasts have waited years for the return of the rotary engine. The wait is over, but the application is entirely new. Instead of powering a high-revving sports car, Mazda revived its iconic rotary engine to serve as a highly efficient range extender for the new MX-30 e-Skyactiv R-EV plug-in hybrid.

The Historic Return of the Rotary Engine

Mazda is practically synonymous with the Wankel rotary engine. The Japanese automaker introduced its first rotary-powered car, the Cosmo Sport 110S, back in 1967. Over the following decades, sports cars like the RX-7 and RX-8 cemented the rotary engine’s status in automotive history. However, Mazda built its last production rotary vehicle in 2012. Tightening global emissions regulations and the engine’s reputation for high fuel consumption forced the company to put the technology on the shelf.

Now, more than a decade later, the rotary is back. Bringing it back required a complete rethink of how the engine operates. By using the rotary purely as an electrical generator rather than a mechanical driving force, Mazda bypassed the historical emissions problems that plagued older sports cars.

How the MX-30 e-Skyactiv R-EV Powertrain Works

The new Mazda MX-30 e-Skyactiv R-EV is a series plug-in hybrid. In a traditional parallel hybrid, both the gas engine and the electric motor can physically turn the wheels. In a series hybrid like the new MX-30, the gas engine never actually drives the wheels.

The front wheels are driven exclusively by a 168-horsepower (125 kW) electric motor. Sitting right next to that electric motor is a newly developed 830cc single-rotor engine dubbed the 8C. This compact gas engine produces 74 horsepower. When the car needs more juice, the 8C rotary engine turns on and acts as a generator. It creates electricity that goes directly into the 17.8-kilowatt-hour (kWh) lithium-ion battery pack or straight to the electric motor.

Why Choose a Rotary Engine for a Hybrid?

You might wonder why Mazda did not just use a standard three-cylinder or four-cylinder piston engine as a generator. Other automakers have done exactly that, such as BMW with the i3 range extender or Chevrolet with the Volt. Mazda chose the rotary for three specific reasons: space, smoothness, and weight.

First, a rotary engine is incredibly compact. Mazda engineers managed to fit the entire 8C rotary engine, the electric generator, and the electric drive motor neatly on the same front axle. There is no need for an oversized engine bay.

Second, rotary engines operate with a circular spinning motion rather than heavy metal pistons pumping violently up and down. This results in virtually zero vibration. When the gas engine turns on to generate electricity, passengers barely notice the transition from pure battery power.

Finally, the new 8C engine is incredibly light. It uses aluminum side housings, making it 33 pounds lighter than the older Renesis engine found in the 2012 Mazda RX-8. Mazda also equipped the 8C with direct fuel injection and an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system to maximize fuel economy.

Range, Battery Specs, and Charging Times

The original fully electric version of the MX-30 struggled to find an audience because it only featured a 35.5 kWh battery, offering roughly 100 miles of total range. The new plug-in hybrid model solves range anxiety completely.

The 17.8 kWh battery provides up to 53 miles of pure electric driving based on the European WLTP testing cycle. For most average daily commutes, drivers will not use a single drop of gasoline. Once the battery runs low, the 50-liter (13.2-gallon) gas tank feeds the rotary engine. Together, the battery and the gas tank extend the total driving range to over 400 miles.

When it comes to charging, the MX-30 R-EV is highly practical. It supports both AC home charging and DC fast charging. Using a 36 kW DC fast charger, you can recharge the battery from 20 percent to 80 percent in about 25 minutes. A standard 11 kW AC home charger will fill the battery completely in roughly one hour and 30 minutes.

Driving Modes for Maximum Efficiency

Mazda gives the driver complete control over how the vehicle uses its power. The MX-30 R-EV features three distinct driving modes:

Normal Mode: This mode prioritizes electric driving but will automatically turn on the rotary engine during heavy acceleration or when cruising at high speeds to maintain the battery’s state of charge.
EV Mode: This mode forces the car to run entirely on battery power for as long as possible. The rotary engine will only kick in if the battery is completely depleted or if the driver presses the accelerator pedal firmly to the floor.
Charge Mode: Drivers can use the infotainment screen to specify a target battery level (for example, 50 percent). The rotary engine will turn on and generate electricity until the battery reaches that exact target, saving the electric range for city driving later in the trip.

Will the MX-30 Plug-In Hybrid Come to the US?

If you are looking to buy the new rotary hybrid, your location matters. Mazda officially launched the MX-30 e-Skyactiv R-EV in Europe and the United Kingdom, with starting prices in the UK right around £31,250.

Unfortunately for North American buyers, Mazda confirmed that the MX-30 plug-in hybrid will not be sold in the United States. Mazda completely discontinued the MX-30 nameplate in the US market after the 2023 model year. The company decided to focus its American strategy on larger, more profitable hybrid SUVs like the CX-90 and the upcoming CX-70.

However, the technology inside this crossover represents a massive stepping stone. Mazda recently showcased the Iconic SP concept car, which features a dual-rotor hybrid powertrain. This proves the company is actively developing rotary-electric systems for potential future sports cars.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the rotary engine in the MX-30 drive the wheels? No. The Mazda MX-30 e-Skyactiv R-EV is a series hybrid. The 830cc rotary engine acts strictly as an electrical generator. A 168-horsepower electric motor does all the physical work of turning the front wheels.

How much electric range does the MX-30 plug-in hybrid have? The vehicle features a 17.8 kWh battery pack that delivers up to 53 miles of pure electric range on the European WLTP testing cycle. With the 50-liter gas tank full, the total combined range stretches to over 400 miles.

Can you fast charge the Mazda MX-30 R-EV? Yes. The MX-30 R-EV is compatible with 36 kW DC fast charging. This allows you to charge the battery from 20 percent to 80 percent in approximately 25 minutes at a compatible public charging station.