Mazda has for quite some time promised that its famed rotary engine would return in the form of a range extender, but that plan may now take longer to become a reality than initially planned.
The Japanese car manufacturer planned to launch a new range-extender version of the electric MX-30 in the first half of 2022 with a particular focus on the U.S. and European markets.
However, local media reports out of Japan assert that Mazda has ditched plans to launch a range-extender version of the MX-30 as it would require the fitment of a larger battery pack that would make the vehicle too expensive.
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All-electric Mazda MX-30 models sold in Europe and Japan come outfitted with a small 35.5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack and have just 124 miles (200 km) of range on the WLTP standard. A mild-hybrid version is also sold in Japan. However, developing a variant with a rotary engine as a range extender would have allowed Mazda to significantly increase the vehicle’s range, making it that much more practical for customers who need the MX-30 for longer journeys without having to deal with range anxiety.
In a statement issued to Auto News, Mazda spokesman Masahiro Sakata said the automaker could still use its new rotary engine as a range extender in the future.
“We are still considering using rotary engine as a range extender, but the timing of its introduction is undecided,” he said.
If Mazda decides to go forward with the rotary range extender after all, it will be interesting to see which models will get it.
