Electric Mazda MX-30 on test as plug-in hybrid: Have you finally succeeded with the Wankel engine?

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Mazda’s European sales manager Wojciech Halarewicz (51) has big plans: “We want to sell 16,000 units of our electric MX-30 a year.” Today, this represents less than ten percent of total sales. Think of it this way: Electric cars have become increasingly popular in recent years, and the MX-30 is the only pure electric vehicle in Mazda’s portfolio.

The only problem is: the MX-30 is not a bestseller so far – on the contrary. In 2022, only 16 (!) customers in Switzerland wanted to put the MX-30 in their garage – 4239 decided on a different model. The reason for this: Mazda’s poor decision; Accordingly, the average customer already travels only 60 to 80 kilometers per day, and therefore a small battery with a capacity of only 35.5 kWh is completely sufficient for most drivers – although 200 practical kilometers seem insufficient to most drivers. They are very few.

Wankel as power generator

To allay customers’ legitimate range fears, the Japanese are now introducing the MX-30 R-EV. The new model is based on technology that has a long tradition at Mazda: the Wankel engine (see box). However, unlike legendary vehicles such as the RX-7 or RX-8, the unit known among experts as the rotary piston engine does not serve as a drive unit alongside the electric motor, as is standard in many plug-in hybrids today. In the MX-30 R-EV, the Wankel engine only acts as a generator and produces electrical energy for the electric motor when necessary. This unusual drive concept is called plug-in hybrid.

Looking under the hood, it becomes clear why Mazda revived the Wankel in the first place: The engine, which produces a maximum of 75 hp, has a volume of 830 cc and is so compact that the entire drive unit, including the generator and electric motor, can fit there. At the same time, the Japanese halved the size of the MX-30’s battery to 17.8 kWh, but also installed a 50-liter gas tank under the rear seat. The R-EV covers around 85 kilometers on electric power alone, but when combined with the internal combustion engine the range increases to an impressive 680 kilometres. Product manager Wakako Uefuji explains the intended use of the 4.39 meter long crossover: “The MX-30 R-EV is a car for electric commuting every day and also for going further on the weekends.”

Space is tight

Inside, there is no difference from the all-electric MX-30: fully committed to the environment, we use beautiful cork and plastic surfaces made from recycled PET bottles, sit on comfortable fabric seats with faux leather accents and look around. floating center console. The small screen of the infotainment system, which is operated only by the central rotary knob, looks a bit dated. As cool as the “Freestyle” doors that open in opposite directions look, there’s only room for small passengers in the back. The trunk is also quite small for the size of the car; Between 350 and 1155 liters.

Wankel can be heard clearly

We start the first test kilometers with a full battery: the MX-30 rolls whisper-quietly along Germany’s rural roads, the 170 hp electric motor doing a reasonable job even with a forward acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h of 9.1 seconds. It would also be faster for an electric car. The MX-30, which weighs around 1900 kilograms, scores plus points with its compatible steering wheel; the chassis is solid but not uncomfortable; so far so good. However, in normal mode, when the battery level drops below 45 percent, the Wankel engine is activated. Karadan hums loudly and rather inconspicuously to herself. But under higher loads, like on the highway, the little Wankel has to work really hard to maintain its charge level, and it gets much louder, with noticeable vibrations in the cockpit.

If you want to travel electric for longer, select EV mode using the toggle switch: This means that the MX-30 R-EV only needs to consume 1.0 liters of gasoline and 17.5 kWh of electricity in the first 100 kilometers. But when the small battery is discharged or the charge level needs to be maintained through the charging mode, both the peace and quiet and the low consumption come to an end. According to Mazda, the part-time electric car consumes at least 7.5 l/100 km; This isn’t the best value for a car in this class. But at least the R-EV cannot be charged three-phase with only 11 kW on AC columns, where a full charge takes an hour and a half. Fast DC charging of 36 kW is also possible and the battery can be charged from 20 percent to 80 percent in 25 minutes.

Our results

By using the Wankel engine as the energy supplier, Mazda wants to save its customers from range anxiety and thus significantly increase the sales of the MX-30. After the test drive, we remain skeptical: If you occasionally drive longer distances, you can also use a fully electric vehicle. On the one hand, charging infrastructure is increasing in most European countries. On the other hand, electric vehicles with a range of around 400 kilometers on a single battery charge are already available today for a price of at least 42,200 francs for the Mazda MX-30 R-EV. “In the end, customers decide which driver suits their needs,” says Halarewicz, Mazda’s sales manager. Will the target of 16,000 vehicles per year be achieved? “The future will show this”

Source: Blick