Mazda has taken the wraps off the 2023 MX-30 at the 2023 Brussels Motor Show, marking the return of the rotary engine that now plays the new role of being a range extender for the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain.
Mazda's first electric model is now a series hybrid that also features plug-in capability
Officially designated as the MX-30 R-EV, the subcompact crossover will be offered in the ‘Edition R’ trim, bringing exclusive design elements over its battery electric and mild-hybrid siblings. These include new wheel designs, black-based exterior color, and a new badge depicting a three-sided Wankel rotor with the ‘e’ symbol inside.
That emblem is also present in the interior, showing prominently on the seat headrests and floor mats. Up to five occupants can access the cabin via suicide doors reminiscent of those on the RX-8, the last Mazda model to feature a rotary engine before being discontinued in 2012.
The new emblem figures prominently both outside and inside
Under the hood, the 2023 MX-30 R-EV uses the e-Skyactiv powertrain comprising an all-aluminum power unit dubbed the 8C, Mazda’s first production rotary engine in more than a decade. It displaces 830cc and features side intake and exhaust ports, pushing 74 horsepower and 116 Nm of torque.
While that sounds paltry, keep in mind that the engine serves as an onboard generator for the electric motor that spins the drive wheels, similar to Nissan’s e-Power tech. An underfloor 17.8 kWh lithium-ion battery stores the energy for use in acceleration and cruising. The motor is rated at 168 horsepower and 260 Nm of torque.
Under the hood, the rotary engine charges the battery that allows the electric motor to unleash 168 horsepower
As mentioned, the MX-30 R-EV also functions as a PHEV given its battery being half the size of its full EV counterpart’s 35.5 kWh. Charging through AC power takes up to 50 minutes, while DC fast charging can raise the battery charge from 20 to 80 percent in as short as 25 minutes. A 1,500-watt auxiliary power port can be used to plug in external appliances.
The 2023 Mazda MX-30 R-EV is scheduled for Europe as its first market, arriving in dealerships there by the middle of 2023.
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