Mazda MX-30 e-Skyactiv R-EV Range Extender Details Released

Many people have criticized Mazda when she arrived with the MX-30 electric in the Canadian market. The battery life that is too low for today’s standards, combined with a fairly high selling price, quickly brought out the negative comments. After months, if not years, of rumours, the technical data of the Mazda MX-30 range extender is now revealed at the Brussels Auto Show. Yes, the MX-30 is equipped with a rotary engine!

We are however far from the Mazda RX-8 with the Mazda MX-30, but it is all the same the reincarnation of the rotary engine which we last saw under the hood of the sports car in 2012. In the Mazda MX-30 e-Skyactiv R-EV, it is an 803 cc single-rotor engine, the power and torque of which remain unknown. Anyway, this thermal engine never drives the wheels directly; it only serves to supply electricity to the battery, in order to power the electric motor that tows the vehicle. This electric motor produces 164 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque, which differs slightly from the purely electric version which has 143 horsepower and 200 lb-ft of torque.

Lower capacity battery

The battery under the range extender version sees its capacity cut in half compared to the purely electric version. While it is 35.5 kilowatt hours, it goes to 17.8 kilowatt hours in the case of this new version. The electric autonomy necessarily takes it for the cold, while it is lowered to 85 kilometers compared to the 163 kilometers currently offered. Nevertheless, the addition of the range extender and the 50-litre petrol tank – certainly responsible for the drop in battery capacity – allows the range to jump to 600 kilometers before running out, an improvement of 368% compared to the electric version.

It is always possible to recharge the high-voltage battery via a fast charging station. However, the drop in capacity brings with it the maximum recharging capacity, which is only 36 kilowatts. With a level 3 fast charger, it will take 25 minutes to regain 80% energy in the battery when it is empty. Three driving modes are offered: EV mode, normal mode and Charge mode. Also be aware that a strong pressure on the accelerator will almost automatically trigger the engine to start, in order to provide the surplus power necessary to deliver the level of acceleration requested.

No confirmation

At the time of this writing, confirmation that the Mazda MX-30 e-Skyactiv R-EV will be offered with us alongside the electric version is not yet obtained. For the time being, it is intended for the European market, and will be sold at the same price as the electric version, leaving the choice to consumers. More details about its arrival in Canada and the United States will likely be revealed in the coming months.