Mazda has already started taking pre-orders for the MX-30 across select European markets and now the automaker has released more photos and details of its EV. The Japanese carmaker places emphasis on the MX-30’s “pure, unique Jinba Ittai driving experience.” The Skyactiv-Vehicle Architecture shared with the CX-30 and Mazda3, as well as the standard electric G-Vectoring Control Plus (e-GVC Plus) play a big role in that respect.
The latter is designed “to enhance the consistency of vehicle response to control inputs and realize seamless transitions between G forces.” e-GVC Plus is said to deliver natural feedback via precise torque control and sound, letting the driver know exactly what the car is doing.
The MX-30 crossover introduces a new electric drive technology to Mazda, called e-Skyactiv. The electric drivetrain consists of a 35.5-kWh lithium-ion battery which enables a driving range of approximately 200 km as per WLTP. That may not sound like much but Mazda says it’s far more than the average daily drive of European customers of 48 km – according to data from a Mazda-sponsored survey.
The automaker still keeps the specs of the electric motor secret but we do know that the e-TPV prototype used to test the MX-30’s drivetrain features a motor delivering 141 hp and 265 Nm of torque. Performance specs have not been released either but it’s pretty obvious they won’t break the internet. We don’t know how long it takes to charge the battery either, although Mazda does say that can be done via AC power of up to 6.6kW or DC power with either the CHAdeMO or COMBO standard.
Styling-wise, the MX-30’s ‘Human Modern’ styling concept and Freestyle center pillar-less doors (with an 82-degree opening angle at the front and 80-degree at the rear) represent a new evolution for the Kodo design language. The highlight of the interior is the floating center console incorporating Mazda’s first touch-screen air-conditioning control panel (7 inches in size).
The cabin also features unique eco-friendly materials such as fibers made from recycled plastic bottles (used on the door trims), cork harvested from the bark of trees (featured on the center console), and Premium Vintage Leatherette (on the seats).
Pre-sales of the Mazda MX-30 will start in March 2020 in select European markets, with deliveries following in the second half of the year (2021 in the UK). The electric crossover will have an estimated starting price of € 33,990 (US$ 37,420) in Germany.
