Mazda MX-30 EV confirmed for Australia

MAZDA has confirmed it will bring the MX-30 electric small SUV to Australia next year, along with petrol-powered mild hybrid variant for those who like the looks but are not yet ready or able to commit to all-electric motoring.

 

GoAuto understands the launch will take place earlier rather than later in 2021 as Mazda Australia was well advanced in gaining government approval for import of the MX-30 back in October and official photography accompanying the announcement shows the new model on Melbourne streets.

 

Mazda says petrol mild hybrid versions of the MX-30 will arrive in the first half of 2021, with versions debuting the brand’s first battery-electric drivetrain rolling out mid-year.

 

Apart from drivetrain details, specification and pricing remain undisclosed for now, although the RX-8 coupe-referencing reverse-hinged rear doors and unique interior finishes are likely to attract a premium over the similar-sized but more conventionally styled CX-30 compact crossover that tops out at $46,490 plus on-road costs.

 

Electric versions are likely to be priced even higher still and could go toe-to-toe with the Mini Electric Cooper SE hatch that costs $59,900 driveaway in Launch Edition form and has a similar circa-220km battery range as the Mazda.

 

Premium features unique to the MX-30 include a 7.0-inch touchscreen panel for climate control and seat heating functions sits atop a floating upper centre console tier, plus the use of sustainable cabin materials such as cork centre console and door grip surfacing that is extracted without felling trees, vegan leatherette upholstery produced with water rather than solvents, door trims made from recycled bottles and recycled thread in some of the seat stitching.

 

Mazda Australia managing director Vinesh Bhindi described the MX-30 as “combining modern design and sustainable, tactile interior materials”.

 

In contrast to the hi-tech Skyactiv-X mild hybrid petrol engines that can use both spark and compression ignition and were added to the Mazda3 small hatch and sedan as well as the CX-30 in July, the combustion-powered MX-30 surprisingly makes do with a more conventional spark ignition Skyactiv-G engine.

 

This borrows the belt-driven ‘M Hybrid’ 24-volt starter generator from Skyactiv-X models, which cannot drive the wheels but enables greater energy recovery from regenerative braking than Mazda’s existing i-Stop system while also enabling the engine to shut down before the vehicle comes to a stop and restart it again more smoothly than a conventional starter motor.

 

Like the Skyactiv-X, the MX-30’s engine is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder. Its outputs are 114kW of power and 200Nm of torque compared with the more advanced Skyactiv-X that pushes out 132kW and 224Nm.

 

Mazda claims the petrol MX-30 will achieve combined-cycle fuel consumption of 6.4 litres per 100km, while a CX-30 with the Skyactiv-X drivetrain is officially rated at 6.0L/100km.

 

Electric ‘e-Skyactiv’ MX-30 variants are more powerful, with the high-voltage drive motor sending 107kW and 271Nm to the front wheels to help overcome the extra weight of a 35.5kWh lithium-ion battery pack that is claimed to deliver a 224km range on the New European Driving Cycle combined cycle.

 

This range falls well short the 449km range of a Hyundai Kona Electric (64kWh battery) with which the MX-30 will share a segment, but Mazda argues that its smaller battery “was carefully considered to fit the inner-urban lifestyle of the target market, while minimising CO2 emissions throughout its life cycle, from resource extraction through to battery disposal”.

 

Like the Kona Electric – priced from $59,990 plus on-road costs – the MX-30 stows its battery pack below the floor, with the electric motor, inverter and control electronics located under the bonnet. Mazda says it has integrated these modules “into a single high-voltage unit”.

 

According to overseas reports, the electric MX-30 takes around 40 minutes to go from empty to 80 per cent charge using a 50kW DC fast charger or five hours using a 7kW wallbox AC charger.

 

Mazda is also working on reprising its rotary engine technology to develop a range-extender version of the MX-30, potentially using a system first seen in 2013 on a prototype Mazda2 EV.

 

Three-tone paint finishes will be available to further differentiate the MX-30, with Soul Red Crystal, Polymetal Grey and Ceramic Metallic having the option of a contrasting black roof and metallic upper bodywork.

 

In addition, Machine Grey, Polymetal Grey, Ceramic Metallic, Jet Black and Arctic White will be offered for single-colour bodywork.

 

The MX-30 has already attained a five-star Euro NCAP crash-test safety rating and will come standard with a full suite of active safety and driver aid technologies. The latest Mazda Connect media system will also be standard, accessed via a wide format 8.8-inch dash-top touchscreen. The instrument cluster will also feature a 7.0-inch digital display.

 

“While furthering our ‘well to wheel’ emissions reduction strategy, the MX-30 remains a Mazda at heart: it is poised, agile and fun to drive with exceptional handling,” said Mr Bhindi.

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