Mazda Motor Corporation unveiled the Mazda MX-30 e-Skyactiv R-EV, a plug-in hybrid model that uses a rotary engine as a generator, at the Brussels Motor Show.

The leading product for Mazda electrification, the Mazda MX-30 launched in 2020 as Mazda's first mass-production battery electric vehicle, with a mild hybrid model joining the product lineup for some markets. With "living true to yourself" as the product concept, the MX-30 has offered pure, pleasant drive, an exterior with a familiar, approachable look, and a cabin space that settles the mind and heart through the use of materials with a warmth to them--all elements that make time spent with the car and experiences enjoyed alongside it creativity-inspiring for owners.

The MX-30 e-Skyactiv R-EV is a series plug-in hybrid that continues to deliver the same customer value as the original MX-30 while simultaneously offering owners new ways of using their car as a battery electric vehicle. The MX-30 e-Skyactiv R-EV has an 85 km battery electric driving range sufficient for a wide range of everyday driving needs as well the ability to use a generator to enable long distance drives. On top of this, the entire driving range is motor-powered.

Mazda chose to use a rotary engine to power the generator system. Levering the unique way in which rotary engines can produce the required output with a small power unit, Mazda developed the new rotary engine to work as a generator and positioned it on the same axel as a high-output motor and a generator in the motor room. Mazda then paired this compact electric power unit with a 17.8 kWh lithium ion battery and a 50 L gas tank to achieve the unique series plug-in hybrid system.

The MX-30 e-Skyactiv R-EV also supports customers with an active lifestyle by offering features including compatibility with both normal and fast charging, 1,500 W power supply functionality, and three drive modes drivers can choose from to suit different driving situations: Normal, EV, and Charge modes.

Additionally, the MX-30 e-Skyactiv R-EV will be available in a special edition model: "Edition R." Edition R vehicles feature black-based exterior and interior trims with Maroon Rouge Metallic, a remake of the roof color of Mazda's first passenger vehicle, the Mazda R360 Coupe, as an exterior accent color. It also includes exclusive design elements such as a rotor-shaped emblem sewn into the floor mats and embossed on the seat headrests.

In moving toward 2030, Mazda will aim to continue research based on its human-centered philosophy, create more moving experiences for people to enjoy while driving in their daily life, and deliver more enjoyment to everyday life which will uplift and energize people.