(By Tom Lohnes) – Remember that weird little Mazda MX-30 from a while back? Well it is coming to America and it is bringing its rotary engine with it. As an optional extra that will be ticked by many enthusiasts that just want a taste of a modern rotary, even if it is only a range extender.
With rather gorgeous styling, RX-8 esque rear doors, and that wonderful spinning Dorito the Mazda MX-30 is Mazda’s first full EV, with the range extender being an option. Range is rated at 147 miles, but that is using the harsher European cycle. Horsepower is a rather underwhelming 135 with the engine not contributing to the total output. Inside lies a typical Mazda interior, with beautiful leathers, aluminum throughout, and an odd-looking shifter that looks confusing at best. Infotainment will be the low point of the MX-30, with the not-great current Mazda system backing it up.
Although not an RX-9 or even anything close to that, it is good to have a 5th type of powertrain listed in the book of current production engines. Will it sell? Probably. Will the Rotary have anything to do at all with the driving experience? No. But, the MX-30 is testing grounds for Mazda, and without testing grounds, we wouldn’t have even a prayer at a new sports car. We can only hope.
