On urban duty
While the MX-30’s single-charge range is just below 200km, Mazda says this will not dilute the EV’s purpose as a stylish and zippy city runabout.
BERMAZ Motor has previewed the Mazda MX-30 electric vehicle (EV) that is aimed at a third or fourth quarter launch.
The company is looking to price the MX-30, Mazda’s first production EV, below RM200,000.
Looking similar to the CX-30 crossover, the MX-30 was first unveiled at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show.
It features Mazda’s “Human Modern” approach and a new expression for the “Kodo – Soul of Motion” design.
Powering the MX-30 is an e-SkyActiv EV electric motor that delivers 107kW (143hp) and 271Nm of torque to the front wheels through a single-speed transmission.
Mazda says the SkyActiv-Vehicle Architecture helps the crossover provide great driving dynamics and experience.
The 355volt lithium-ion battery has a capacity of 35.5KWh that provides an estimated range of 199km on a single-charge.
The MX-30 uses Type 2 head for normal AC charging and CCS2 head for rapid DC charging.
A home three-pin AC charger with 3kW can charge the battery from 0-100% in 12 hours while a 6.6kW AC wallbox will complete the job in five hours.
A 40kW DC rapid charger will zap up the battery from 0-80% in 36 minutes.
The MX-30 comes with “freestyle” rear doors that are hinged at the rear similar to those used in the Mazda RX-8 model.
These doors, which can only be used after the front doors are opened, provide a pillarless access for rear passengers to enter and exit the MX-30.
The interior gets a floating console and eco-friendly materials such as vegan leather and environmentally-sourced cork.
Safety features include seven airbags, anti-lock braking system (ABS), Electronic BrakeForce Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Traction Control System (TCS) and ISOFIX child restraint anchor points with top tethers.
Bermaz Auto executive chairman Datuk Seri Ben Yeoh said the MX-30 is marketthe ed as a practical 2+2 seater city runabout.
He said the target customers are young families and senior citizens who want a vehicle that is easy to maintain and operate with the convenience and security of home charging compared with vehicles that require filling up at petrol stations.
He said the small battery pack of MX-30 would make the vehicle light and improve its handling dynamics as well.
Yeoh said high-performance EVs had to be equipped with heavier battery pack for longer driving range.
“A bigger battery will also increase vehicle weight and impose a toll on handling performance and as well as higher wear on tyres and brakes,” he said.
He said the MX-30 was not a high-performance EV and does not need a big and heavy battery pack that would cost customers a huge premium.
However, he said the battery technology is expect to improve in the future where a small battery pack similar to the MX-30’s could provide longer driving range.
Yeoh said the 190km plus range of the MX-30 would be enough to meet its purpose for city driving with the need to charge up the battery every two days.
“The MX-30 will be a second car and a talking point rather than to replace cars with internal combustion engine.
“The MX-30 is something nice to have and enhances our brand value,” Yeoh said.