2023 Mazda MX-30 R-EV plug-in hybrid unveiled… with a rotary engine!

The 2023 Mazda MX-30 R-EV plug-in hybrid has debuted with a rotary engine – but it has yet to be locked in for Australia.

While it was suggested the internal-combustion engine would kick in as a range-extender once the all-electric MX-30's battery is depleted, the MX-30 R-EV is closer to a plug-in hybrid vehicle.

It is headlined by the addition of Mazda's newly-developed single-rotor engine, after the RX-8 sports car ended production in 2012.

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The petrol mill has a 0.83-litre volume. It produces 55kW and 116Nm, with direct injection, a high compression ratio of 11:9:1 and an exhaust gas recirculation system to improve efficiency.

According to Mazda, the rotary engine has little vibration and a quiet operation to ensure the driving experience remains similar to the all-electric version.

To meet the strict Euro 6d-ISC-FCM emissions standard, there's also a three-way catalytic converter and a petrol particle filter.

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However, as with Nissan's E-Power 'series hybrid' system, the wheels are always driven by the electric motor – rather than a conventional 'parallel hybrid' setup, which combines internal combustion and electric power.

The electric motor produces 125kW and 260Nm – up 18kW over the all-electric MX-30, but down 17Nm.

Under the skin, the MX-30 EV's battery capacity is halved – from 35.5kWh to 17.8kWh – for a WLTP-rated 85-kilometre all-electric driving range, down between 120 and 144 kilometres over the battery-electric model.

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But with the addition of a 50-litre fuel tank for the rotary engine, the MX-30 R-EV's combined driving range is said to exceed 600 kilometres – triple that of the MX-30 EV.

Mazda claims the plug-in hybrid model has a WLTP-rated combined fuel consumption of 1.0 litres and 21 grams of CO2 emissions per 100 kilometres, and a battery consumption of 17.5 kWh per 100 km.

The lithium-ion battery will take one hour and 40 minutes to charge using a three-phase AC charger on an 11kW wall box, or 25 minutes with a 36kW DC 'fast' charger – the maximum charge rate for the MX-30 R-EV.

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Three drive modes – EV, Normal and Charge – are available. As the name suggests, the vehicle will be exclusively powered by the electric motor in EV mode unit it reaches zero per cent, when the rotary engine will kick in.

In standard mode, the MX-30 will utilise electric power until the vehicle reaches 40 per cent, when the rotary engine will switch on to recharge the battery.

As for the charging mode, it prioritises the rotary engine to ensure the battery can reach a set charge threshold while driving.

In all drive modes, the MX-30 R-EV is limited to 140 kilometres, while the 0-100km/h sprint is said to take 9.1 seconds.

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While it looks mostly identical to the electric and mild-hybrid MX-30, there's a unique rotor badge on the front guards, and an 'e-Skyactiv R-EV' badge on the tailgate.

It also previews several model-year 2023 changes first seen in Japan, including; the zircon sand colour, revised 18-inch alloy wheels, and a 'smoother' gear lever with the shift button now placed on the front.

Is the Mazda MX-30 R-EV coming to Australia?

While Mazda Australia has yet to officially confirm if the MX-30 plug-in hybrid will reach local shores, it could be sold here in limited numbers – similar to the all-electric version.

“MX-30 range extender is coming out… and we’re still in line for that car,” said Mazda Australia’s marketing director, Alastair Doak, last year.

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“It’s a unique proposition around the world. There’s some interesting thinking behind that car that can be used in other applications down the track.”

How much does the Mazda MX-30 R-EV cost?

In Germany, the 2023 Mazda MX-30 R-EV plug-in hybrid is priced identically to the all-electric variant at €35,990 (AU$56,000), with five grades available.

If it reaches local shores, identical pricing to the MX-30 EV in Europe suggests it could have a circa-$65,000 price tag in Australia – in line with the all-electric MX-30 sold here from $65,490 before on-road costs.