Drew Dowdell

The last Renesis was designed 20+ years ago for release in 2004. The issue with the 4-cylinder options is size. The previous renesis was capable of over 230hp in a 1.3-liter engine that was physically smaller than any 1.3-liter out there. Ah yea, you mean REV, range-extended vehicle. That playbook goes back to the Bolt. The way I am viewing this is that this will allow Mazda to range extend their smallest cars like the CX-30 and even the Miata. I know there will be much wailing and gnashing of teeth when the Miata does go electric, but that is going to be an amazingly fun go-cart.

Personally, I'd go with a row-my-own Jetta S with the Trax a distant 2nd. Both of them being turbos, despite their diminutive size, would still have okay low-end torque.

It's a stop-gap. It also lets Mazda produce low-medium range EVs with a range extender for those people who want mostly an EV but might have issues with the charging end of things and don't want the range anxiety. Imagine a Leaf range but with a REV. There's a segment of the EV market that would go for it. What two-mode are you referring to? I think the point here is that technology has progressed significantly since Mazda last went all in on a rotary. I'm sure materials and design can improve on the old issues. Additionally, since acting as a REV, the Rotary would be at a far less variable RPM which brings some advantages for durability.