Mazda has today kicked off the commercial leasing of the Mazda Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid, offering drivers significantly improved performance through the addition of a hybrid system – if the car’s mouthful of a name didn’t give it away.

The Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid is the world’s first commercially-leased hydrogen hybrid vehicle, the first units of which will be delivered to Japanese government authorities and energy-related companies this year.

Utilising a series-type hybrid drivetrain, Mazda’s hydrogen rotary engine is mated to an electric motor.  The output of the rotary is converted to electricity, and sent to the motor that drives the wheels.

Mazda’s hybrid system increases the hydrogen fuel range of the Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid to 200 kilometres – twice the range of the well-known RX-8 Hydrogen RE – and boosts power to 110kw, up 40 percent on its RX-8 sibling.

The Mazda Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid features a proprietary dual-fuel system, enabling the car to run on petrol where hydrogen isn’t available – no doubt a handy feature for long trips to the country.