Keeping Rotary Alive: Mazda’s Rotary Engine in the Age of the Electric Car

The MX-30 e-Skyactiv R-EV, released in November 2023. (© Mazda)

In 2013, Mazda discontinued the RX-8, making it the last ever sports car to feature a rotary engine. (© Mazda)

The 1967 Cosmo Sport’s futuristic design saw the car featured in Return of Ultraman. (© Mazda)

The rotary engine in the 1991 RX-7 featured twin turbo charging, which enabled its output of around 250 horsepower from a compact package. (© Mazda)

In the MX-30 e-Skyactiv R-EV’s electric propulsion unit, the already compact rotary engine shares a common axle with the generator and motor. (© Mazda)