Mazda rotary engine is back! 2023 Mazda MX-30 R-EV plug-in hybrid revealed - will it come to Australia?

Mazda has finally pulled the covers off the rotary-powered, plug-in hybrid version of the MX-30 small SUV in Europe after years of anticipation for the return of Mazda's iconic engine.

The difference is, unlike purely petrol-powered rotary sports cars of old, the Mazda MX-30 R-EV doesn't use the small rotary engine to power the wheels, rather to charge the battery that provides its electric motors with juice.

The 2023 MX-30 R-EV, which has been initially confirmed for Europe, uses an 830cc rotary to power the 17.8kWh battery, which feeds the 125kW/259Nm front electric motor, allowing an electric-only range of 85km.

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Combined with a 50L fuel tank to continually feed the rotary engine to charge the MX-30 R-EV, it's clear this version of the small SUV will have a much-improved range over the standard MX-30 EV, which can only travel 230km on a single charge.

The question is, will it come to Australia? It's not looking likely.

CarsGuide contacted Mazda Australia to discern local plans for the rotary PHEV, and a spokesperson for the brand's local arm said there's nothing to confirm for our market at this stage.

The question is, will it come to Australia? It's not looking likely.

"In terms of MX-30 R-EV, globally Mazda introduces models and powertrains to markets based on a multi-solution strategy that considers regional differences in energy production, environmental regulations, and customer needs," the spokesperson said.

"In Australia, this year we're focussed on launching our new large platform hybrid models in Mazda CX-60 and Mazda CX-90, plus a range of updates across key model lines, including Mazda CX-8 and Mazda6."

In Europe, the MX-30 R-EV is also available in a version called Edition R, which comes with a two-tone black and ‘Maroon Rouge Metallic' painted exterior, with the maroon roof inspired by the roof colour on Mazda's first passenger vehicle, the Mazda R360 Coupe.