Mazda has fallen behind in the race to bring electric vehicles to market, but last year at the Tokyo Motor Show the Japanese automaker finally revealed its first-ever EV, the MX-30. Production of the sleek electric crossover was said to begin in 2020, but it looks like that timing might have been pushed back. Instead, the MX-30 is launching with a hybrid variant in Japan this fall.
Described as a mild hybrid, the Mazda MX-30 e-Skyactiv-G utilizes a direct-injected 2.0-liter gas engine paired with an “M Hybrid” electric motor that assists the four-cylinder when needed. Mazda says the MX-30 hybrid is part of a strategy to offer optimum powertrain options to serve a given region’s wants and needs. As we previously reported, the Mazda MX-30 EV will launch in Europe first to meet demand for zero-emission vehicles in that market. The company now says leasing sales for the all-electric model are scheduled to begin later this year.
Unfortunately, not a lot is known about the new MX-30 hybrid. We presume the car will use the latest version of the Skyactiv 2.0-liter gas engine, which makes 154 horsepower and 147 lb-ft of torque in the Japanese-market Mazda 3. The exterior and interior look nearly identical to the EV, with the same recessed LED-ring leadlights, pillarless entry with rear-hinged half doors in the back, and neatly designed interior using sustainable materials.
The MX-30 shares its platform with the Mazda 3 and CX-30, and will continue to use Mazda’s control knob-interfaced infotainment system. The EV will get Mazda’s latest e-GVC Plus torque vectoring feature, which is intended to aid handling by modulating torque to reduce weight transfer in turns. Beyond that, however, few hard details—including horsepower figures, range, and pricing—have been released. We’ve speculated that the MX-30 could offer an optional rotary engine range extender, as Mazda has been experimenting with that concept for years now.
Is there a chance this new hybrid model could come stateside? A representative from Mazda North America told us the company has no announcements to make at this time. That’s not an outright “no,” so perhaps there’s some hope.
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