Mazda has installed a rotary petrol engine under the bonnet of its MX-30 electric vehicle (EV) to add a new plug-in hybrid (PHEV) to its UK model range.

The Japanese carmaker has reintroduced rotary technology last applied in its RX-8 sports coupe to create its new MX-30 R-EV crossover, which claims to offer a zero-emissions, all-electric range of up to 53 miles and a total range of over 373 miles.

Order books are now open for the new derivative of MX-30, which was revealed at the Brussels Motor Show today (January 13), with prices starting at £31,250, with deliveries expected to get underway this summer.

Mazda said that R-EV models are priced identically to the BEV version in Prime-Line and Exclusive-Line trim, with Makoto R-EV models demanding a £450 price premium and a limited run of 400 Edition R versions priced at £37,950.

Mazda Motors UK managing director Jeremy Thomson, who discussed Mazda’s EV strategy with AM at the launch of the MX-30 EV, said: “I’m really excited about the new MX-30 R-EV joining our electrified line-up in the UK this summer.