A rotary engine is a type of internal combustion engine that uses a rotating motion instead of reciprocating pistons to turn a shaft. It was first developed by the German engineer Felix Wankel in the 1950s, and was later used by Mazda in a number of its vehicles. The rotary engine has a compact design and is known for its smooth operation and high power output, but it has also been criticized for its relatively low fuel efficiency compared to other types of engines.
The last Mazda mass-production model with a rotary engine was the RX-8, which was produced from 2003 to 2012. The RX-8 was a sports car that was powered by a 1.3-liter rotary engine. It was known for its agile handling and sporty driving experience, and it received positive reviews from car critics and enthusiasts alike. However, due to low sales and challenges related to meeting increasingly strict emissions regulations, Mazda decided to discontinue the RX-8 and has not released a new mass-production model with a rotary engine since then.
Now, rotary engine is making a comeback as a range extender for the Mazda MX-30 electric subcompact crossover. To make up for the CX-30's mediocre 100-mile EPA estimated range, Mazda decided to bring back the rotary to the modern age for electrification applications.
The new MX-30 model will be unveiled on the Mazda stand at the Brussels Motor Show on January 13th 2023, with a press conference at 10:00 CET.
Source: Mazda
