Mazda rotary set for 2022 comeback after all

Reports of the death of the Mazda MX-30 rotary range-extender EV appear to have been greatly exaggerated.

Earlier this week respected US media outlet Automotive News reported that the rotary-powered plug-in hybrid version of the recently launched Mazda MX-30 Electric had been cancelled or at least postponed for the North American market.

No reason was given for the move confirmed to AN by Mazda spokesman Masahiro Sakata, but Japanese reports suggested the company was struggling to profitably package a battery that was large yet cheap enough to provide an acceptable EV driving range before it was extended by a small rotary engine/generator.

For reference, the Mazda MX-30 M Hybrid is priced from $33,990 plus on-road costs and powered by a 114kW/200Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with mild-hybrid technology comprising a small lithium-ion battery and a combined electric motor/starter/alternator.

Meantime, the single-spec Mazda MX-30 Electric is priced at $65,490 plus ORCs and swaps that powertrain out for a 107kW/271Nm AC synchronous electric motor and larger 35.5kWh lithium-ion battery offering a 224km range (ADR).

The Mazda MX-30 ‘REX’ is expected to revive Mazda’s trademark Wankel engine tech in the form of a small petrol-powered rotary engine/generator to provide a more generous driving range.

Mazda previously promised to release the MX-30 REX in 2022, as part of its plan to electrify its entire model range by 2030 and launch three new EVs, five plug-in hybrid models and five hybrids by 2025.

Now, however, a Mazda USA spokesman has confirmed those plans remain intact, contrary to the AN report.

“I can confirm next year's launch timing for the Mazda MX-30 plug-in hybrid EV is not delayed. The MX-30 plug-in hybrid will operate as a series plug-in hybrid with a rotary generator,” a Mazda USA spokesperson told CNET’s Roadshow website.

That’s good news for Australia, where Mazda previously confirmed the third MX-30 variant is due on sale within 12 months.

Mazda Australia marketing and product director Alastair Doak previously told carsales the MX-30 REX was all but locked in for an Australian launch in August 2022 and that all 13 electrified Mazda models are likely for local release.

“We’re very much on track to get it [MX-30 REX] next year and it’s very much our desire and our plan to have it in the line-up,” Doak told carsales in May.

“That’s our intention. We haven’t got 100 per cent absolute paperwork to say it’s happening but that’s not unusual and our expectation is we’ll be part of that program and get the car. That’s the proposition we’re working on and what we want.

“We still haven’t got a locked in job one [production date] but the global announcement said Q1 [production] next year and I believe it remains then, so hopefully by August next year we’d be hopeful that we’d be getting rotary range-extender as well.”