The Mazda MX-30 is a peculiar model. The Hiroshima firm’s first electric car derives from the compact SUV CX-30, but it stands out through the use of a very personal design body: it has two small rear doors that open in reverse, like the sports RX-8; as well as a steeper roof drop.
In the mechanical section, it is also a very characteristic vehicle. According to the international press, its 141 hp (105 kW) and 264 Nm e-Skyactiv engine delivers power rapidly, like an atmospheric gasoline engine. Mazda’s intention with this configuration is to achieve a response similar to that of its thermal cars, which have a powerful personality.
Its 35.5 kWh battery gives it a range of 124 miles on the WLTP cycle using electricity only. Although the pack has been criticized for its low capacity, Mazda technicians say that its range is more than enough to cover the vast majority of its customers’ daily commutes. Nowadays it is not worth owning a vehicle with such a range, but if you are a fan, have at it.
Now, the president of Mazda North America, Jeff Guyton, has confirmed that shortly the offer of the model will be completed with a second variant even more particular: its main feature will be the inclusion of a rotary engine (also known as Wankel) Skyactiv- R as a range extender.
This version will reach both Europe and the United States and offer an extended range to those users who consider the autonomy of the 100% electric MX-30 too limited. “We have launched the MX-30 in Europe, which is our first battery-electric vehicle. And we will be making that product available in the future with a rotary range extender. Any chance of it coming to the U.S.? Yes, it will, though we haven’t talked about the date publicly yet,” and “For the U.S. market, the range-extender option would be more appropriate.”
Mazda has been perfecting the rotary engine for decades, which the firm last used in the RX-8 mentioned above. Its use as a range extender is ideal, among other things, due to its small size, as it barely takes up the space of two shoe boxes.