Mazda MX-30 revealed at the Tokyo Motor Show

The Mazda MX-30, which is the first mass-produced electric vehicle by Mazda, has been officially revealed at the Tokyo Motor Show. it will join the company’s new-gen line-up as the third vehicle after the Mazda 3 and the Mazda CX-30. The MX-30 shares the architecture with its siblings called the SkyActiv-Vehicle Architecture with increased ring structures and floor. It is said to be stiffer than the other two models in the same range. 

The lithium-ion battery is mounted under the floor making it 30 mm taller than the CX-30. The Mazda EV measures 4,395 mm in length, 1,795 mm in width and 1.570 mm in height. It sports a wheelbase of 2,655 mm. 

Mazda calls the powertrain fitted inside this EV as e-SkyActiv which consists of an electric motor that is built to produce a max power of 143 PS and a peak torque of 264 Nm. The motor is powered by a 35.5 kWh battery that supports both AC and DC charging. While it requires a CCS connection for DC charging, a Type 2 connection for AC charging is recommended with an input limit of 6.6 kWh. Mazda says that the battery can be charged to up to 80% in about 30-40 minutes. 

The motor supplies power to the front wheels. The Mazda MX-30 is bestowed with an enhanced version of the G-Vectoring Control system that optimizes front-rear load shift for optimum torque output. The range of EV suggested by Autocar UK is around 209 km which is considered to be under par considering what rivals in the segment offer. However, the company says it is a 50-km extended range of what a European drives every day. Mazda also mentioned that a model with a rotary engine will be launched later with an extended range to satisfy customers’ anxiety for more. 

Talking about the design, the MX-30 gets an opened-up front grille layout with headlamps positioned in between, slim fog lamps at the corners lower down the front profile, a long bonnet and a vertical bar at the lower apron that divides the air intake section into two distinguishing parts. Over the sides, you’ll see a coupe-like roofline that rakes towards the end and 18-inch wheels with black cladding arches. It gets a dual-tone exterior colour option. 

The doors are referred to as “freestyle doors” that are similar to the suicide doors on the RX-8. To enter the rear, you need to first open the front doors. At the back, the MX-30 gets round-shaped taillights similar to the ones on the CX-30, a tailgate spoiler, reverse cameras and reflectors. 

Inside the cabin, there is a Mazda Connect infotainment system in the centre, a digital instrument cluster, a three-spoke traditional Mazda steering wheel and a 7-inch touchscreen display for climate control, which is positioned just below the centrally-located air vents and start button. Don’t be surprised if you see cork inserts because they are actually cork leftovers from the production of bottle stops dubbed as Heritage Cork. This is one of the initiatives by Mazda towards cleaner environment wherein cork is used as a leather alternative. 

The Mazda MX-30 will be priced close to GBP 30,000 (AED 1,41,975 approx) with sales starting from 2021 in the UK.

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