- Olga Kokorina
- Translated by Olga Apetenok
- Ru He
Mazda MX-30 R-EV brings back the rotary engine
The Mazda MX-30 e-Skyactiv R-EV is a series hybrid modification of the Mazda MX-30 compact SUV released in 2020, the first electric vehicle of the Japanese automaker Mazda. The model attracts attention with doors that swing in different directions and the absence of a central pillar. The modification has joined the range of mild hybrids and all-electric versions, but it has one very important difference: the new Mazda MX-30 R-EV brings back the rotary engine. Yes, yes, after a long break, Mazda again decided to use the rotary piston engine (RPD), invented by Felix Wankel in 1957. The last car of the Japanese company with the RPD was the legendary Mazda RX-8, produced in 2003–2012. Sales of the rotary hybrid will start in the summer of 2023, and this modification will cost the same as the electric version.
The rotary piston engine is a compact internal combustion unit. It has advantages such as high power, small size and weight, as well as disadvantages: high fuel and oil consumption, as well as special care requirements.
Distinctive features
The new Mazda MX-30 e-Skyactiv R-EV looks similar to its ‘brothers’. The rotor model is given out only by the nameplates on the front fenders in the form of a stylized rotor and the letter ‘e’ inscribed in it. The newcomer has several special body colors, as well as a package called Edition R, in which the theme of rotation is emphasized by logos embroidered on floor mats and seats.
At the same time, the newcomer with the rotary engine can offer three times the range as compared to the electric version that can drive only 200 km on a single charge due to a modest battery with a capacity of 35.5 kWh! Moreover, the traction battery on the R-EV is 2 times smaller than that of an electric car, with a capacity of only 17.8 kWh. Thanks to the engine that charges the battery and a fuel reserve of 50 liters, the hybrid is able to drive up to 600 km without recharging. And if you run out of gas, you can always use the AC or DC gas station.
Powertrains
The rotary Mazda MX-30 R-EV 2023 is front-wheel drive. The electric motor mounted on the front axle produces 166 hp and 260 Nm. The RPD located under the hood works exclusively with the generator that charges the battery. This engine, like all rotors, is small, with a volume of only 0.8 liters and a power of 75 hp, and comes with direct fuel injection. The SUV accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.1 seconds, which is not bad for an electric model, the maximum speed is limited at around 140 km/h. There are the following driving modes: Normal (hybrid), EV (electric) and Charge (to conserve battery power).
