[voltowner]

Mazda is making a new all electric drive with on onboard generator like our Volts. This Plug-In Hybrid Is Packing a Rotary Engine

Roy 2011 Volt #1019

 

[Steverino]

Interesting. The MX-30 e-Skyactiv R-EV has a 50 mile battery range and a 13 gal gas tank. Unknown is how far that tank will push the car.

However, for now it appears that this version of the MX-30 is not going to reach the North American market

 

[caronjeff]

One would think that 13 gallons of gas should get a vehicle that size a good 350 miles down the interstate.

 

[arbus]

We never get no good cars!

 

[Voltaire60]

The interesting thing about rotary engines is that they used to be hard to control emissions and not so great on fuel efficiency. Maybe Mazda has overcome these issues with their continued development of the rotary engine. I like the idea of having the smoothness of the rotary as a generator, I just wonder how the range will compare to similar piston engines.

 

[Bettergolf72]

Article says not for North America anyway....

 

[masospaghetti]

Love the concept but not a fan of the MX-30's body. Not sporty, tall like a crossover. Not practical, rear suicide doors. Not really a SUV, no 4WD. I feel like any other body style would be better - either a hatchback/wagon or true crossover.

The new CX-90 is similar in some respects. 17.8 kWh plug-in hybrid, crossover, 4WD, inline-4. This we will actually get in North America starting next month.