Ready for Mazda's new rotary? Official launch date confirmed as iconic engine returns!

Mazda will launch the latest take on its most famous engine technology by March 31 next year, with the brand's rotary revival finally ready to get underway.

But don't expect a high-po RX-7 revival, instead the technology will be used as a range-extender for the brand's electrified vehicles, in much the same way that Nissan's ePower technology works.

It will first find a home in the brand's MX-30 plug-in hybrid, but it is expected to then find its way to other products in the brand's portfolio.

That's according to Mazda CEO Akira Marumoto, who told US outlet Automotive News that the new model would be in market – at least globally – by March 31 at the latest.

In the case of the MX-30, reports point to the rotary motor being used as a range-extending power source, charging the EV's battery rather than driving the wheels. But while Mazda confirms it know how much range and performance the model will offer, it also says it isn't yet ready to confirm those details publicly.

We know Mazda in Australia has its hand high in the air for the technology, too, recently telling CarsGuide that the rotary engine is "fundamental to the brand". In fact, the brand had been hoping to launch the rotary MX-30 by the end of this year, before production delays saw the debut pushed back.

"Absolutely the plan is to take (the MX-30 range-extender)," Mazda's marketing chief Alastair Doak told us recently.

"(Rotary) was fundamental to the company. And even if you don’t 'get' rotary, the fact that this little company from Hiroshima has this innovation and challenger spirit to the status quo, and they go and do these things that are pretty cool and different, and they make them work and they sell them around the world.

"From that point for view it's a perfect fit for the brand.

"It’s unique to our brand. And when you look around the world, how many car companies are investing in unique technology and actually putting it on sale? It speaks volumes of the engineering community at Mazda, and it’s very much true to our heritage."