Mazda's first EV, the MX-30, left a bad taste in everyone's mouth after a disappointing range of only 100 miles and sluggish driving despite the beautiful design. However, Mazda announced that the MX-30 will return as a plug-in hybrid, featuring a rotary engine as the internal combustion half of the equation. It will be called the MX-30 R-EV. The "R" stands for "Rotary."

Rotary engines and Mazda's relationship began in 1967, after noticing some serious benefits to the Wankel engine. Like them being substantially lighter than traditional engines, being smoother and quieter due to lack of reciprocating parts and better power-to-weight ratio. Though the displacement for rotary engines was low, the output was always impressive.

The main issues associated with rotary engines are what made Mazda discontinue their use in 2012.

The design promotes oil burning, had sealing issues and wasn't very eco-friendly in terms of emissions. This time around, though, there's sure to be a refreshed design that will solve those issues. Then we can all cross our fingers and hope Mazda redesigns the MX-7.

Eager to redeem themselves after the MX-30, which was only sold in California, Mazda's European branch will reveal more details about the engine and figures come the 13th of January. As part of its rebranding, Mazda's new logo for the MX-30 R-EV has an "e" inside the shape of a rotary disk. Naturally, the company's hope is to sell beyond California – and the new rotary hybrid design should help achieve that.

There aren't any concrete announcements from Mazda's U.S. branch confirming the rotary hybrid will be sold in the U.S., but there isn't anything outright denying it, either.