Dede Sophie

Mazda rotary brand identity, with original Wankel pic by Softeis, courtesy CC BY-SA 3.0. A plug-in hybrid version of Mazda’s MX-30 electric car will be unveiled at the Brussels Motor Show on Friday next, writes Brian Byrne. The powertrain will use the company rotary petrol engine as an electricity generator to power the electric traction motor. No further details of the car have been revealed, but it will be on sale in European markets in the spring. The Mazda rotary engine is based on the concept developed by German engineer Felix Wankel in the 1950s. The Japanese company produced it for a range of RX sports cars until 2012, after which it was only used in a racing championship up to 2017. A prototype rotary engine used as an EV range extender was shown in a Mazda2 in 2013.

The new Alfa Romeo Tonale has gone on sale in Ireland at a starting price of €49,995, writes Brian Byrne. The compact crossover is available with mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, and in two grades along with a ‘Speciale’ extra launch version.  All versions are automatic, with outputs of 160hp and 280hp respectively, the latter being AWD thanks to the electric motor on the rear axle.  The PHEV includes a 15.5kWh battery thats some 36pc bigger than that used in the Jeep Compass PHEV, to which the Tonale is closely related. The car kicks off the new Irish distribution by Gowan Auto, based in a purpose-built HQ at City West, Dublin. Currently there are three Alfa Romeo dealerships, in Dublin, Cork and Waterford. Plans are to increase this to a network of eight. Two other models are currently available, the Giulia large sedan and the Stelvio SUV which sits above the Tonale.