Mazda rotary gathers pace
Three potential rotary powertrains on the menu as Mazda prepares iconic Wankel engine for returnMazda’s legendary rotary engine is set to enter production from early 2022 and it could form the basis of three new electrified powertrain options for the Japanese brand.
The latest intel comes via trademark filings in Japan for new three new Mazda powertrains, as follows:
e-SKYACTIV R-HEV
e-SKYACTIV R-Energy
e-SKYACTIV R-EV
We know that Mazda plans to launch its rotary-powered MX-30 range-extender hybrid SUV in Australia from around August 2022, following European and Japanese launches in the first half of next year.
The extended-range Mazda MX-30 EV will join the existing M Hybrid and battery-powered Electric versions of the small SUV, but now it seems there could be several flavours of the rotary range-extender powertrain.
The ‘R’ in the R-HEV, R-Energy and R-EV trademarks almost certainly stands for rotary, with the small petrol-powered engine/generator set to help power plug-in and plugless hybrid versions of the small electrified SUV, and now potentially a third powertrain option.
A bold new logo featuring a rotor shape with an ‘e’ in the middle was also filed for trademarking, potentially showing how Mazda will badge its resurrected rotary models.
While the new rotary engine is unlikely take pride of place as the mechanical beating heart of an all-new RX-9 sports car just yet, it will mark a significant milestone for the brand as it returns to its unique Wankel engine – a formula now abandoned by Audi.
Like Subaru’s and Porsche’s boxer engine, it will provide Mazda with a unique selling point and help connect new customers with the brand’s heritage. Rotary engines were pivotal in Mazda’s success, both in terms of performance cars and motorsport.
It’s not clear where Mazda’s new ‘R’ logo fits into the puzzle – and whether it stands for rotory or race – but there’s certainly a lot of movement occurring within Mazda’s R&D department at present.
A new range of premium rear-wheel drive models available with inline six-cylinder engines – including the next CX-5 and Mazda6 – are set to lob from 2022, while new-generation electric and hybrid vehicles are also on the way, some of which will leverage the new rotary range-extender powerplant.
Mazda has committed to electrifying its entire model range by 2030 and launching 13 electrified models by 2025, including three all-new EVs, five PHEVs and five HEVs.
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