Mazda MX-30 rotary hybrid cancelled

Mazda has ended its bid to reintroduce its famous rotary engine as a range-extender for the plug-in hybrid Mazda MX-30 small SUV.

The plug-in hybrid 2022 Mazda MX-30 was set to be introduced in global markets, including Australia, in the first half of next year.

But despite the global launch rapidly approaching, Mazda spokesman Masahiro Sakata has confirmed to Automotive News that the timing of its introduction is now "uncertain".

The embarrassing U-turn on the MX-30 range-extender comes just months after the MX-30 plug-in hybrid – not to be confused with the mild-hybrid M Hybrid version – was confirmed for its biggest market, the US, where the brand sold 403,000 vehicles last year.

No official explanation has been offered why Mazda has pushed pause on the plug-in MX-30 that was set to offer a tiny, pioneering rotary engine as a generator to top up the battery once its charge has been depleted.

But reports out of Japan suggest that engineers have been grappling with the new tech, and for it to provide a big enough range it needs a larger battery.

A bigger battery would mean increased costs and less profit, with reports suggesting that Mazda execs have quietly scrapped the entire program over fears of losing money on every car sold.

Despite the MX-30 plug-in hybrid cancellation, the rotary engine is still tipped to return both in series-parallel and plug-in hybrid form, but it's expected to be introduced in larger, more expensive vehicles.

Engineers are attracted to the concept of a rotary as a generator because of their compact size and relative efficiency when operating at a fixed rpm.

The packaging will become more crucial for car-makers in future as brands move to dedicated architecture for EVs that have little space for large combustion engines.

Range-extenders remain attractive as they allow auto-makers to downsize the expensive battery, boosting profitability while removing range anxiety for those who travel long distances.

Automotive News suggests a concept for another Mazda hybrid that uses a rotary engine as a generator will be unveiled soon ahead of its introduction by 2025.