Mazda is never afraid to be different; it shows in their latest MX-30 REV

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Car Reviewed: Mazda MX-30 R-EV

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It joins the pure battery MX-30 and the CX-60 PHEV in the marque’s range with a PHEV powertrain which utilises a sub-900cc rotary engine acting as a generator to power the electric motors for the wheels, as there is no direct mechanical link.

With an ev range of about 53 miles, the rotary petrol engine will kick in when needed to deliver a combined range of over 400 miles. So you have no real worries about range anxiety, as may be the case in a pure battery electric vehicle. For many with concerns, buying an ev, this is a good solution.

It has three driving modes – ev, normal and charge – so a user can maximise economy or power and have something in between. 

Mazda selected the rotary powerplant because of its unique ability to provide the required output from a small, light and easily packaged unit. It is neatly placed alongside the generator and high-output motor in the engine bay. 

The combination of the 17.8kWh battery and 50-litre fuel tank create a unique series plug-in hybrid with a flexible total range of over 400 miles. At the same time, a WLTP CO2 output of just 21g/km ensures class-leading environmental performance.

The compatibility with rapid DC and AC charging is another bonus; 3-phase AC charging takes around 50 minutes, while for maximum customer flexibility, DC rapid charging can be completed in approximately 25 minutes. The Mazda MX-30 R-EV, thanks to a 125kW/170ps output, delivers slightly better acceleration performance than the 145ps fully electric MX-30.

Offered in the same highly specified grades as the all-electric e-Skyactiv MX-30: Prime-Line, Exclusive-Line and Makoto – the Mazda MX-30 R-EV was unveiled at the Brussels Motor Show in January 2023, the limited-edition Mazda MX-30 R-EV Edition R has sold out in the UK, but some early order UK customers will be taking delivery of this rare launch model.

There are unique wheels to differentiate the R-EV: Prime-Line with a dark grey finish and Exclusive-Line and Makoto with a black/silver diamond cut finish.

Since the launch of the Mazda Cosmo in 1967 and the production of the RX-8, which ended in 2012, Mazda mass-produced close to 2 million rotary engines. A rotary solution is now used as a power generator rather than a drive unit.

The new 8C rotary engine is an 830cc single rotor with a 120mm rotor radius and 76mm rotor width; its compact size enables coaxial placement and integration with the electric motor, decelerator and generator to achieve a unit with an overall width of less than 840mm, allowing it to fit under the bonnet without changes to the MX-30 body frame.

The aluminium engine is over 15kg lighter than the twin-rotor Renesis engine used in the RX-8. Direct fuel injection reduces emissions and increases fuel economy, while the engine also features an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system to improve efficiency at low RPM and low load running.

A 17.8kWh battery was chosen to ensure enough capacity for a 53-mile electric-only driving range while considering the environmental impact of the battery over the entire vehicle lifecycle.

The generator will activate when the battery charge drops below the specified reserve level, charge the battery to the set level, and maintain that level of charge. Once battery charge is above the set level, the car will operate in the equivalent to Normal mode until the battery depletes to the specified level. It will then use the rotary engine generator to keep the battery at that level.

“I’m really excited about the new MX-30 R-EV joining our electrified line-up. A great example of Mazda’s challenger spirit, thanks to its unique technological approach, it’s a car that’s the perfect solution for customers who want an electric car for everyday usage but the flexibility to undertake longer journeys without the reliance on charging infrastructure.” 

Jeremy Thomson, Managing Director, Mazda Motors UK said before the launch of the new model over scenic North Wales roads –

First impressions of the Mazda MX30 R-EV were of a truly smooth experience through the powertrain, with good pick-up, strong acceleration and seamless swopping between pure-ev and petrol-enhanced performance.

Steering and brakes gave excellent feedback, too; the ride was reasonable over some poor surfaces, if a bit noisy. It was smoother and quieter with the smaller wheels and tyres in the Exclusive specification and we achieved 39mpg with that.

Overall, our top Makota version returned 36.5 mpg over a mixture of dual carriageways, A- and B-class roads, and a 120-mile route.

Like its stablemate MX-30 BEV, the car offers good front seat room but has far more restricted legroom in the back and the shape of the rear roofline and high waistline produced small rear side windows and a dark, unwelcoming experience for younger users even if the rear-hinged back-doors made entry and exit easy once the front doors were open. 

Prices are £31,250, £33,150 and £36,600 for the entry-level Prime, Exclusive and Makota versions.