Mazda brings back the rotary engine with the MX-30 e-Skyactiv R-EV

Mazda is bringing back the iconic Wankel engine in a rather unexpected manner. The rotary engine does not drive the wheels on the newly unveiled MX-30 e-Skyactiv R-EV, though. Instead it serves as a generator, helping the crossover get better range than the standard electric version.

The 830cc gasoline rotary motor with direct injection charges the 17.8 kWh battery, which is half the size of what the pure EV MX-30 has. The result is that the overall range improves to 600 km (373 miles) compared to just 200km on the MX-30.

The obvious caveat is that covering this distance requires you to burn through 50l of fuel, giving you an economy of 8.3l/100. The pure electricity range is extremely limited at 85km.

The Mazda MX-30 e-Skyactiv R-EV's wheels are powered by a single electric motor with 167hp (125kW) output and 260Nm (191 lb-ft) of torque. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 9.1 seconds, and its top speed is only 140 km/h (87 mph). Those are hardly performance car numbers, making the e-Skyactiv name rather puzzling.

Mazda estimates that most owners will use the car only as an electric vehicle most of the time. The company believes the 85km (53mi) WLTP range is enough for a day's worth of driving. You can then recharge it in just 1 hour and 40 minutes if you have an 11-kW wallbox at home. It will take twenty-five minutes to get from 20% to 80% charge if you have access to a DC charger of at least 36kW output.

In Germany, the pure electric version has a starting price of €35,990. Then are five distinct models of the e-Skyactive R-EV, the most expensive of which is the Edition R at €45,040.

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