It was Mazda's CEO, Akira Marumoto, who confirmed it during the official presentation of the MX-30 in Japan. Wankel it will not be like a propellant, of course, but rather, already referred to by us on several occasions, as a range extender for electric vehicles. In the words of Akira Marumoto:
“As part of the multi-electrification technologies, the rotary engine will be employed in Mazda's lower segment models and will be introduced to the market in the first half of 2022.”
In other words, the MX-30 is just the beginning. Marumoto's statement, also repeated in an official Mazda video (in Japanese) suggests that the Wankel will find a place in more of the Japanese manufacturer's compact vehicles.
Despite arriving later than originally scheduled (it was actually scheduled to arrive... last year), what we do know is that Wankel's return will be via a very compact unit — no bigger than a shoebox... —, enough for that the electric vehicle where it is installed goes further.
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Using a Wankel as a range extender is nothing new at Mazda. In 2013 the Hiroshima manufacturer presented a prototype based on the (previous) Mazda2 that demonstrated the validity of the solution — even Audi became interested in this idea, having unveiled a prototype of an A1 (1st generation) with an identical “arrangement”.
MX-30, the first
The Mazda MX-30, the manufacturer's first production electric — but not only… in Japan it will be sold, for now, as a “normal” crossover with an internal combustion engine associated with a mild-hybrid system —, arrived very recently to the national market.
Despite praise for its handling and even its distinct look and solutions (reversed opening rear doors, for example), it has been criticized for its meager autonomy — only 200 km… It is the ideal candidate to receive an autonomy extender in the form of a small Wankel.
Space is not lacking. Peek under the MX-30's hood — the platform is shared with the CX-30 and Mazda3 — and find plenty of room beside the (also) compact electric motor to fit a Wankel. We still have to wait for 2022, but development tests (on the road) of this new version should start as early as 2021.
The words of Mazda's CEO, however, leave room for speculation: the Wankel's return will not stop with the MX-30. What other compact models will receive it as a range extender?