Mazda has started production of the MX-30 e-Skyactiv R-EV for the European market at its Ujina Plant No. 1, in Hiroshima.
This marks the return to mass production of vehicles equipped with a rotary engine after an 11-year hiatus since the discontinuation of the RX-8.
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Mazda is launching the R-EV with the same trim levels as the BEV version: Prime-Line, Exclusive-Line and Makoto. However, for the R-EV it has included a special 400-unit, limited edition variant called the Edition R.
The plug-in hybrid combines a 17.8 kWh battery and a 50-litre fuel tank.
It has a claimed range of over 373 miles and a WLTP CO2 output of 21g/km.
The 122kw/166ps electric motor produces up to 260Nm of torque.
Additionally, the R-EV is compatible with both AC and DC charging. Mazda claims three-phase AC charging takes approximately 50 minutes and rapid charging around 25 minutes.
The model has three drive modes: Normal, EV, and Charge.
In the R-EV the internal combustion engine drives a generator that either charges the battery or offers supplementary power.
The rotary engine is used as a power generator rather than a drive unit with no direct mechanical link to the wheels. This ensures the vehicle drives on the electric motor and the rotary engine extends driving range when necessary.
The 8C rotary engine is a single rotor configuration with an 830cc capacity, featuring a radius of 120mm and a width of 76mm.
It is also produced with aluminium making it 15kg lighter than the twin-rotor Renesis engine used in the RX-8.
