Mazda trademarks new logo for its range of xEVs – The return of rotary?

Though Mazda has not produced a rotary-powered car for nearly a decade with the RX-8 ending production in 2012, that doesn’t mean the Hiroshima-based carmaker has given up on the revolutionary but problematic engine.

There are rumours that the rotary engine would make a comeback in electrified form though it wouldn’t make an appearance on the range-extender MX-30. A recent discovery by a Japanese blog though shows that Mazda has applied for a trademark for a new logo that resembles the triangle-shaped engine.

Also read: Mazda cancels rotary engine development for MX-30

The Wankel rotary engine logo has a very clear “e” cut-out which gives a clue at Mazda reintroducing the engine on electric vehicles and not just for performance.

Also read: Mazda rotary engine is back, but it won't be in a sports car...

Aside from the logo, Mazda has also trademarked three names with relation to its future electrified models – e-SKYACTIV R-Energy, e-SKYACTIV R-HEV, and e-SKYACTIV R-EV. As we had previously reported, Mazda is looking at reintroducing the engine in a powertrain for mild-hybrid, series-hybrid, or range-extended EVs.

But what could these names mean? The latter two are pretty straightforward – R-HEV could be used on hybrid electric vehicles while R-EV could be used on battery electric vehicles (BEV). The R-Energy name though is a mystery. Perhaps it might be used to indicate alternate fuels like hydrogen.

Also read: Here is why Mazda’s rotary engines could become the engine of the future

However, these trademark applications do not confirm anything for now. Maybe they are just placeholders but these are merely speculations for now.

The Japanese blog has also revealed that Mazda is also trademarking four other names but it’s speculated that they would be used as exclusive trim names for existing models in the Japanese market.

Also read: 2021 Mazda 2 updated in Japan with improved Skyactiv-G engine and a sunny paintjob

What do you think of the logo? Does it bring back memories of past Mazda rotary models like the RX-7? Mazda wasn’t the only one to experiment on combining rotary engines with electric/hybrid powertrains, Proton once built a few prototypes that were based on the Exora which ended up in an auction lot last year.