Previews

Five Things to Know About the Mazda MX-30

by Miriam Pomerleau

Mazda’s first-ever all-electric vehicle finally made its global debut last week at the 2019 Tokyo Auto Show. The journalists in attendance, including our own Gabriel Gélinas and Antoine Joubert, were impressed for several reasons.

Here are five things you need to know about the Mazda MX-30:

Spare Energy

The technology used by this new electric vehicle is rather unique. Mazda engineers developed a gasoline-powered rotary engine that serves as an optional range extender for the 35.5-kWh lithium-ion battery, meaning there is a way to travel longer distances than the 200 kilometres advertised by the company. There is no mechanical link between this engine and the drive wheels.

Welcome Aboard!

The MX-30 features suicide doors much like the ones on the discontinued RX-8 sports car. The front doors open 82 degrees forward and the rear doors swing in the other direction by as much as 80 degrees. Combined with the missing B-pillars, this makes access to the cabin much easier.

Sustainable Materials

Mazda’s focus on environmental protection goes beyond the electric powertrain. Both the front and rear seats in the MX-30 are covered in a special fabric made from recycled plastic bottles.

Throughout the interior, you’ll also find natural cork surfaces wrapped in a protective film for easy maintenance. It’s a refined touch that green drivers will appreciate.

Sporty Handling

After spending time behind the wheel of a prototype version of the MX-30 in Norway earlier this fall, we were enamoured with the spirited nature and exciting drive of the vehicle, which uses a 140-horsepower motor rated at 195 pound-feet of torque.

According to Gabriel, it’s the most dynamic EV he has driven so far. The fact that this Mazda is electric doesn’t change anything about the fun you have with a CX-5, for instance.

Canadian Launch TBD

Mazda hopes to sell the MX-30 starting next year in Europe and later in other global markets. For the moment, it’s doubtful we will get this model in Canada, especially since it comes with front-wheel drive only.

However, a larger electric Mazda is being developed with AWD applications and would make more sense here.

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