Rotary is on the ropes: Why Mazda's iconic engine tech might not make it to Australia

Mazda's much-celebrated rotary rival is now looking less than likely to make it to Australia, with the brand suggesting the MX-30 range extender might be too "niche" to launch into our market.

It's something of an about-face for Mazda, which had previously suggested the technology, which it described as "fundamental to the brand", would launch in Australia about as soon as they could get their hands on it.

In fact, the plan had been to launch the MX-30 R-EV by the end of 2022, but international delays in unveiling the model put an end to those plans.

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But a year is a long time in the world of cars, and the brand now has its hands full with two mega-important models – the premium-leaning CX-60 and CX-90 SUVs, both of which will launch in Australia this year – leaving the MX-30 R-EV  on the ropes.

"In 2023, our priority is launching the CX-60 and the CX-90, and in particular the plug-in hybrid as a technology story," Mazda Australia managing director, Vinesh Bhindi, told us at the recent unveiling of the three-row CX-90.

"MX-30 was always a niche offering, which is why it has the 'MX' prefix, so it's not a priority, but we'll make a call on whether another niche offering is the right thing for us.

It's the first rotary produced by Mazda since the brand killed off the RX-8.

"It's a niche offering, so we just have to be mindful of having another niche offering, does it make sense?"

The new MX-30 R-EV only recently broke cover, and will use an 830cc rotary engine to power a 17.8kWh battery, which then feeds the 125kW/259Nm front electric motor.

That means an electric-only range of 85km, combined with a 50-litre fuel tank which acts as a full-time power source for the rotary engine, which feeds its power to the battery, extending the range of Mazda's first truly electrified vehicle.

It's the first rotary produced by Mazda since the brand killed off the RX-8, and while the MX-30 R-EV looks unlikely to land on our shores, the relaunch of the engine technology does see the brand take a step closer to a true performance car revival – and one we hope does make it to Australia.

Evidence has begun to point to the technology also powering a genuine performance vehicle, which could act as a successor to the RX-8.

Evidence has begun to point to the technology also powering a genuine performance vehicle, which could act as a successor to the RX-8.

Mazda in Australia, or globally, is yet to comment on future rotary plans, but in Japan it has filed patent documents for a new triple-rotar (one more than the RX-8 offered) Wankel hybrid engine, with the engine finding a home in a sporty-looking, but as yet unidentified, RWD hybrid model.

Japanese site Best Car Web recently reported that the new model could launch as soon as this year, claiming it could be developed in partnership with the Toyota GR GT3 Concept, revealed at Tokyo's Auto Salon.