The rate at which traditional car manufacturers are announcing electric vehicles seem to be increasing lately. The latest to join the future is the Japanese automaker Mazda, who officially took the wraps off their first EV at the Tokyo Motor Show, the MX-30.
The MX-30 will feature a 35.5 kWh lithium-ion battery and a powertrain delivering 142hp and 192 lb-ft of torque. Range will be approximately 210km for the European model (WLTP standard), which is always higher than the North American EPA standard, so expect a sub-200km once it reaches Canada.
It will be capable of AC charging at up to 6.6kW, comparable to most EVs. It will also support DC fast charging at up to 50kW (CHAdeMO or CCS).
A number of styling cues are taken from the gas-powered CX-5, with one big exception, the rear suicide doors, or as Mazda calls them “freestyle doors”. If you’re a Mazda fan, you’ll probably recognize them as they are very similar to the old RX-8 rear doors. With the extra space provided by having both doors open outwards away from each other, Mazda claims this will improve the openness of the car’s interior space and make it not only easier to get in and out of the vehicle, but also with loading and unloading cargo.
Unfortunately no Canadian release date was announced, but pre-orders are now open in Europe, with deliveries starting in 2020. You can read more about it on Mazda’s website.
