TEST: Mazda MX-30 R-EV – the range increases to 680 km with this special trick

We drive on a regional road in the south of Germany and look at the rest dashboard, where the infotainment screen does not have a cinema hood. With its fabric trim like cotton, cork and soft (faux) leather, the interior of the Mazda MX-30 almost feels comfortable. Steering is direct and communicative, the electric motor vibrates slightly in the rear. Although the chassis is firm, there is no unpleasant vibration to be heard. Even as we drive over the cobblestones in the old town of Augsburg.

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The range of the Mazda MX-30 increased to 680 km

This will be a relaxing trip, because we also know that the range of this MX-30 R-EV is not 200, but up to 680 km! Anyone who thinks that the Japanese have invented the basic battery is bound to be disappointed. Like many manufacturers, Mazda has turned the MX-30 into a plug-in hybrid – but in a different way.

Rotary motor as a generator

To begin with, the MX-30 R-EV is not a parallel, but a series hybrid. The combustion engine only serves to drive the generator for the battery pack, while only the electric motor sends its power to the front wheels. Founders like BMW i3 and range extender and the first Opel Ampera he did that too. But again not…

Mazda does not use a traditional four-stroke engine to supply the electric motor and power in the MX-30 R-EV, but a rotary engine. The fact that the brand chooses this concept does not come out of the blue. Mazda has a long history with the rotary engine, also known as the Wankel engine. Not because it swings, but because it was invented by Felix Wankel.

2 million Mazdas rotary engine

The ‘Wobbly’ was seen as the engine of the future in the late 1960s, but various teething problems soon emerged. Partly because of this, the previously acclaimed NSU Ro80 became commercial. After Mazda bought a license from Wankel, but the concept got a bad image, the Japanese themselves began to talk about a rotary engine. Mazda spent decades refining fuel seals and improving efficiency. As of 2011, approximately 2 million Mazdas rotary engines rolled off the production line, which Mazda RX-8 it was the last. Until now …

What do you mean without vibration?

We continue our mobile zen experience in the Mazda MX-30, although the peace and quiet ends when we press the accelerator pedal. A rotary motor would be very suitable as a range extender due to its compact dimensions and low weight, but we don’t see popular running without vibration. We feel and hear it growling a little under the load. Without the car now explode like an angry wild boar.

“The Mazda MX-30 is a small crossover, but it weighs 10 sumo wrestlers.”

A 9.1 second hundred run is fast enough, but it doesn’t hold us back. Although that’s not because of the 0.8-liter, 75 hp single-disc rotary engine. Because no matter how it tries, more than 170 hp of the electric motor goes to the front wheels. That seems like a lot for a 4.40 meter long crossover, but the MX-30 weighs about 10 sumo wrestlers (1778 kg).

Used Mazda MX-30 R-EV

We slow down and the rotary engine settles down again. Moving forward, we see that the average fuel consumption of 1.0 l/100 km (1 in 100) has increased significantly due to the fast mid-range. Well, rotary engines are not known for their moderate drinking habits. Although, according to Mazda, the single-disc unit in the MX-30 R-EV is better than ever. This is thanks to direct gasoline injection and a high compression ratio (11.9: 1). However, if you compare the maximum range of 680 km against the range of the electric car (85 to 110 km) and the capacity of the tank (50 liters), the rotary engine is still quite thirsty.

Run as clean as you want

If you are driving calmly and the battery is full, the rotary motor is at rest. As the trip progresses and the power reserve decreases, you will see the rotor symbol on the instrument panel flash more often. This is accompanied by the normal sound of a rotating engine. In charging mode you hear this often, because the rotary motor keeps the battery level at the current level. You do this if you want to be sure that you can select the most EV mode in the city to drive without emissions. In normal conditions, the technology makes its own choices, which are mainly aimed at the best efficiency.

The Mazda MX-30 R-EV is not an economy miracle

During the smooth ride on the German back roads, our speed varied between 50 and 100 km/h. The rotary engine touched about 2.5 liters of gasoline per 100 km (1 in 40), but when we drove on the autobahn between 120 and a top speed of 140 km/h, the average rose to 4.1 l/100 km (1 in 24.4 ) That doesn’t immediately make the Mazda MX-30 an amazing drinking boat, but it’s not an economy miracle either.

Fast charging with up to 36 kW

In any case, if you rarely travel for a long time, drive calmly and connect as much as possible, you almost never need to refuel. Speaking of charging: on the 11 kW three-phase charger, the 17.8 kWh battery goes from 10 to 80 percent in about 50 minutes. It ‘fast charges’ with a maximum of 36 kW and then you have 25 minutes to update your social network and enjoy your coffee and cake.

Not suitable for rear passengers

With a new power train, the Mazda MX-30 has become more practical. But otherwise the car has remained completely itself, with its beautiful, but impossible work. The wide opening front doors offer a warm welcome to the front occupants. On the other hand, the rear passengers are welcomed less generously. This way you can just use it suicide doors inside, once the front doors are open.

“Anyone who can reach the back seat smoothly is medal material for the World Gymnastics Championships.”

If you can then easily reach the back seat, you are under 18 or have been awarded a medal for the next World Gymnastics Championships. After a difficult maneuver, we see that the legroom in the back is limited and there is no headroom either. The trunk capacity of 361 liters is not out in this segment, but it is more than enough.

Mazda MX-30 R-EV price

Mazda MX-30 R-EV is available from 36,990 euros. This makes it 500 euros more expensive than the all-electric MX-30 EV with Prime-Line equipment. In addition, you are missing a purchase grant of 2,950 euros. Anyone who loves the MX-30 won’t let that stop them. The fact that the plug-in mix has a good range is even more important. You will have to live with its other inconvenient features – including the 0 kg draw weight.