CX-30

Make
Mazda
Segment
SUV

The rotary engine has been revived from the dead thanks to the new MX-30 R-EV, but there are those at Mazda who are still hoping to build a true rotary-powered sports car in the future. Autocar recently spoke to Yoshiaki Noguchi, assistant manager of Mazda's powertrain development division, who said this is the long-term goal for engineers at the company.

We can't blame them, because as far as high-revving, sleek rotary-powered Mazdas go, the new MX-30 just isn't one of them. It utilizes the rotary engine as a range extender more than anything, working in conjunction with an electric motor to give the vehicle about 400 miles of range. It's pretty advanced and economical, and it's just what Mazda needs right now even if it leaves a lot to be desired by enthusiasts.

"Rotary is our symbol," Noguchi said. "It's a dream of engineers at Mazda to have a sports car with rotary. Now is not the time for that." The company needs to focus on ramping up its electric car wing before anything else, as that will be the driver of sales as it moves into the future.

The company aims to have 25-40% of its global sales be electric by 2030, which is far behind what many of its competitors, who plan on having fully electric fleets by 2030, are planning.

"When the company situation is a lot better [in regards to completing its roll-out of electrified models], we can think about that dream another time."

So it's obvious where the company's core focus is right now. A key to this plan working out will be the success of the new rotary-electric engine setup, specifically increasing its efficiency and reliability.

Here at CarBuzz, we recently dug into just how the company is coaxing improved efficiency from the new engine, and the unusual techniques Mazda employs.

On top of this, aluminum side housings are used to reduce weight and a higher compression ratio of 11.9 with thicker apex seals, and a new coating improves the reliability of the unit.

"There are three big challenges with rotary," said Noguchi. "The economy is number one. At the same time, you need to make it lighter to improve the range. Then improve reliability."

The unit can be adapted to work in a variety of applications, even a high-revving one like a sports car. Hopefully, once the company is able to get the cars on the road that are going to keep the doors open, it'll turn its attention to a vehicle that will remind people just what made this company so great.