The most recent, third kind of MX-30 is desirable to Mazda NZ.

HIROSHIMA head office is still mulling about whether Kiwis can have official access to the most exotic version of Mazda’s MX-30 crossover.

Delivering re-introduction after 10 years of the brand’s fan-appeal rotary engine is an element of technical appeal, but there is more that could help the R-EV (for rotary electric) version raise more interest than the mild hybrid and full electric MX-30s already here.

Mazda’s drivetrain is a series hybrid, which puts it in a different category than those plug-in hybrids set to cop RUCs from April 1, those being parallel hybrids.

The difference? Whereas parallel hybrids use their electric motors and petrol engine - either individually or working together - to drive their wheels directly, a series hybrid does not.

With the R-EV (as per the e-Power), the engine is a generator, designed to purely power the battery. This, in turn, feeds an electric drivetrain. 

The front wheels are always driven by an electric motor developing 125kW and 260Nm, which is powered by a 17.8kWh battery pack. 

In short, it is a petrol-powered electric car and could well be categorised as a petrol car. Whether than allows exemption from RUCs would and to be tested.

The only series hybrid here, the Nissan e-Power, is being proposed as warranting exclusion. But it is different, in that it i not mains-replenished. The Mazda does offer that, in addition to recharging while on the road.

Having the R-EV would mean a full suite local availability of the model which stands out as much for having highly individualistic styling including signature rear-hinged back doors as it does for its eco credibility.

MX-30 has been a niche attraction here, but the Auckland distributor remains committed.

That only the cheapest choice mild hybrid seems to be in stock at present has raised conjecture about a quiet demise for the full electric flagship, as has occurred in other big markets, including Australia.

Mazda NZ says the full battery car, controversial for being expensive yet offering just 224km of claimed driving range, and even less in real-world driving conditions, is still on its books. Stock availability has been hindered by production delays in Japan.

This contention is made despite detail about the EV model now being absent from the brand’s website. It lists just the M-Hybrid, for a special price of $42,500.

Mazda NZ is loathe to say too much about the rotary engine-assisted MX-30, whose full designation is ‘e-SkyActiv R-EV’ until it knows if and when it will be available.

A spokesman says there is as yet no clarity from Japan.

The only current right hand drive market for the variant, a lookalike for the other edition save for having a discreet rotary badge on the front wing, outside of Japan is the United Kingdom, where it prices similarly to the purely-electric model. The EV has sold for $69,000 here, having started out $6400 dearer.

The R-EV hasn’t the electric range of the full EV model; it is said to deliver 85km of electric-only driving at best. After that, the 830cc, 55kW/116Nm rotary engine fires up to charge the battery. 

The engine draws a 50-litre fuel tank to achieve a maximum driving range of "over 600km”. So, comfortably more than double that from the EV.

But it is still burning fuel, and based on Mazda's claimed petrol and electric driving range figures, the MX-30's rotary engine is not a paragon of thrift.

The brand data suggests it will consume 9.7 litres per 100km – or double what the 2.0-litre mild-hybrid version claims to use in mixed driving.