It’s fair to say Mazda hasn’t been quick off the mark for electrification, instead choosing to focus on improving the delivery of traditional fuels. One outcome has been the impressive spark plug-controlled compression ignition technology, introduced on the new Mazda 3, which promises to “combine the economy and torque of a diesel engine with the performance and lower emissions of a petrol unit”.
Nonetheless, no maker can put off the inevitable - introducing an electric model - for much longer, given the next tranche of emissions targets landing in 2021. And so we find ourselves in Frankfurt, Germany, driving the prototype of Mazda’s first EV, disguised beneath the body of the upcoming CX-30, just days before the model is fully revealed at the Tokyo motor show.
The production EV will be a small SUV, able to accommodate the underfloor battery but also be suitable for city driving, given its relatively short range - expected to be less than 150 miles on a single charge, provided by a 35.5kWh battery.
Mazda has a different reason to most firms for its relatively small range. It’s looked at the entire lifecycle of a car and how that affects emissions, and found that a 35.5kWh battery produces fewer emissions than a petrol-powered 3 or an EV using a massive 95kWh battery (as the Audi E-tron does).
Christian Schultze, research and development boss at Mazda Europe, said: “We should not be excessive with battery size. We should understand how much range does a customer really need? How much battery can we avoid to reduce CO2 substantially? We deceded 35.5kWh is a useable size where you can do your shopping, take kids to school and go to the office before you need to recharge.”
What’s most refreshing about Mazda’s EV, on roads before the end of next year, is how different its approach is to existing EVs on sale today, Those who have driven a few EVs will be familiar with their typical characteristics: instant torque, near-silent motion and one-pedal driving. None of those apply here.
Mazda has single-mindedly chosen to go another route, and it’s immediately noticeable behind the wheel. Press the throttle and there’s a far more progressive line of acceleration, which feels very different to the instant torque of other EVs. That’s intentional, says Mazda, because it wants it to feel like any other car. Schultze comments: “We wanted to make a car that you understand is a car from basic technologies about cars. We wanted to make a true Mazda.”
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Range is too small at 120-150 miles for an SUV
It would be ok for a citi car or even supermini like the Mini, but people use SUV's to go on holiday or use it for slogs to visit people and that range is not enough with current charging numbers and rates of charging.
Cenuijmu wrote:
But probably equally as many people use small crossovers/SUVs for doing short minimal low annual mileage journeys, a higher range option would be a good idea I'd have thought, but the low range wouldn't put me off, even the Honda e would work for me if it weren't for the price.
E-Tron, really
Why Mazda would compare their future small EV to £70k'ish E-Tron is beyond me. Try the MG with it's 45kw battery or Kona.
It feels like someone bought
shiakas wrote:
Clearly you know the car market better than Mazda, really should rename and rebrand to shiakas, whatever the heck that is...
Takeitslowly wrote:
Thank you, it was about time my godlike intellect was recognised for writing a comment in the comment section.
I was considering this as my next car, but since it has half the range of its rivals, no amount of marketing spin is going to convince me. You know, because of my godlike intellect..
Takeitslowly wrote:
Is this nonce FMS?