THE Mazda MX-30 e-Skyactiv R-EV plug-in hybrid compact SUV has received a maximum five-star rating by Euro NCAP achieving the same results as the battery-electric MX-30 e-Skyactiv EV tested by the safety organisation in 2020.

Both MX-30 derivatives score impressively in all four Euro NCAP test categories: Adult Occupant - 91 per cent, Child Occupant - 87 per cent, Vulnerable Road User (pedestrian safety) - 68 per cent and Safety Assist - 73 per cent.

They also achieved maximum points in lateral impact tests, as well as full marks for crash test performance based on six and 10-year-old children for both frontal and lateral impact.

The MX-30 was the first Mazda to achieve an overall five-star rating under the more stringent 2020 Euro NCAP crashworthiness ratings with a stronger emphasis on occupant protection, post-crash protection, and advanced driver assistance technology.

The latest Skyactiv Vehicle Architecture features a high-rigidity, impact-absorbing yet lightweight bodyshell.

A wide range of advanced iâActivsense safety technologies help drivers identify potential risks and reduce the likelihood of damage or injury. High standards of pedestrian protection mitigate the impact of a collision with vulnerable road users.

Having been revealed at the Brussels Motor Show in January, the Mazda MX-30 e-Skyactiv R-EV will arrive in the UK this summer.

It is a series plug-in hybrid that offers the same customer values as the pure electric Mazda MX-30, while offering different ways of using a car as a battery electric vehicle.

With a 17.8KWh battery, the R-EV has a 53-mile pure electric range. While using Mazda's rotary engine technology, the new 830cc single-rotor petrol engine acts as a generator to enable longer distance drives without range or charging anxiety.

There is no mechanical connection between the engine and the wheels with the rotary unit acting as a generator, ensuring the MX-30 R-EV always drives via the electric motor to deliver an EV driving experience.

With more than half a century of expertise in the development of rotary engines, Mazda selected the rotary powerplant for this application due to its unique ability to produce the required output from a small, light and easily packaged unit.

The rotary engine is placed alongside the generator and high-output motor in the engine bay. The combination of the 17.8kw battery and 50-litre fuel tank create a unique series plug-in hybrid with a flexible total range of over 373 miles with a CO2output of just 21g/km.

The pure electric model has an official range of 124 miles on a full charge.

The MX-30 R-EV is compatible with both AC charging and rapid DC charging, meaning 3-phase AC charging takes around 50mins, while for maximum customer flexibility, DC rapid charging can be completed in around 25 minutes.

It has three drive-modes: Normal, EV and Charge, and thanks to a 125kw/170ps output, it delivers slightly better acceleration performance than the 145ps fully electric MX-30.

The plug-in derivative is due for UK arrival in the summer and the Mazda e-Skyactiv R-EV is offered in the same grades as the all-electric e-Skyactiv MX-30: Prime-Lime, Exclusive-Line and Makoto - while bespoke to the R-EV, the range is topped by the Edition R.

This limited edition launch model has extra features inside and out and is offered exclusively in the unique colour combination of Jet Black with Maroon Rouge side pillars and a black roof.

With the R moniker standing for return, just 400 Edition R models will come to the UK to celebrate the return of the rotary engine.

All versions of the Mazda MX-30 e-Skyactiv R-EV feature a rotor badge on the front wings and an e-Skyactiv R-EV badge on the tailgate.

Makoto R-EV models demand a £450 price premium over the pure electric version and at the top of the MX-30 range is the R-EV only Edition R - priced at £37,950 it is limited to just 400 examples in the UK.

Between the launch of the Mazda Cosmo in 1967 and production of the RX-8 ending in 2012, Mazda mass-produced more than two million rotary engines.