ON THE ROAD- IAN LYNAS ON ROTARY POWER AND MAZDA

Had it not have been for one Heinrich Wankel, it is likely that Mazda would not have used rotary power. The German introduced his rotary engine to the world in 1960 in Munich and in the very same year, the KKM version was used to power the little NSU Prinz. However, in August 1967, NSU launched the 115bhp RO 80 with twin rotors, a very stylish saloon which gained fame as the first German car to take the title Car of the Year. However real fame for this unique at the time power unit came courtesy of Mazda. The Japanese carmaker licensed the engine and successfully solved various problems relating to chatter marks and the engine was used successfully in several generations of their RX-series of cars including the Cosmo (below), R100, RX-7 and the RX-8.  The latter was the last of the series and today the early Mazda rotary powered cars are very valuable.

Not to be outdone, Mercedes-Benz fitted one of their C111 experimental cares with a three rotor Wankel engine, then followed a four rotor version, which for its day was fast but never reached production.

Move the clock forward to the present day and once again Mazda are in the rotary arena with their sturdy compact RX-30 R-EV. A few months ago I attended the press launch which provided a day behind the wheel of this newcomer which for me was a breather from a sea of EVs. While I appreciated the invitation from Mazda to get behind the wheel of their new offering for a day; when one arrived for a week then I really did get to know this Mazda and over a variety of roads, in counties Armagh, Tyrone, Fermanagh and Donegal. I could not move on without commenting on the poor state of roads in the northern part of our island- I can only find one word- disgraceful.

The MX-30 e-Skyactiv R-EV was named Plug-In Hybrid of the Year at the 2024 What Car? Awards. Last autumn it joined the battery electric version; it is a plug-in hybrid that offers new ways of using a car as a battery electric vehicle; it has a 17.8kWh battery and a 85km (53m) pure electric range, using Mazda’s unique rotary engine technology. Resting below its bonnet an all-new 830cc single-rotor petrol engine which acts as a generator to enable longer distance drives without range or charging anxiety. Many who own or have driven an EV will testify to the stress which range anxiety can bring and take it from me I have been there. With no mechanical connection between the engine and the wheels, the rotary unit simply acts as a generator, ensuring the MX-30 R-EV always drives via the electric motor to deliver a seamless EV driving experience. When it comes to smoothness, this Mazda really delivers and not only that but I was very impressed with road holding and handling. Brisk acceleration for me was yet another bonus. My only negative, economy not what I had hoped for me; however the sheer drive quality of this Mazda did in a way compensate. I must admit that every test car that comes in my direction comes and goes, in a way when this Mazda was taken from me, I really did miss it. Just like its Mazda stablemates, equipment levels of the highest order; I particularly appreciated the head up display, the easy to read instruments and the user friendly controls. Having experienced the unique rear doors on the launch, during my week I found them just a problem in tight parking spaces especially at supermarkets. Yes rear passenger room is limited; however with the rear seats folded, a spacious cargo area was widely enjoyed.

Thank you Mazda for bringing a vehicle to the market different in so many ways and one thing I can say is that this Mazda is certainly not boring!

Ian Lynas