The half rear-suicide-door was on the Saturn Ion Coupe decades ago. Maybe it’s time has come again?
Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today semi-announced the introduction of the Mazda MX-30, its first battery-electric vehicle, in the US market beginning in fall 2021 at California dealerships. This is the first step in Mazda’s “multi-solution electrification strategy” that is lagging numerous other industry leaders.
“Mazda is preparing for the fast-changing US market demands by taking a multi-solution approach to electrification,” said Jeff Guyton, President of Mazda North American Operations, said. “The battery-powered MX-30 will begin the introduction of additional electrified models, including a series plug-in hybrid with a rotary generator for MX-30, a plug-in hybrid for our new, large platform, and a traditional hybrid for our new American-made crossover. While these powertrains will be optimized for their platforms.”
“The rotary generator will mark the return of our unique rotary powertrain,” Guyton said. “This technology is being engineered for nearly silent operation and will replenish the battery rather than drive the wheels. As a result, the MX-30 will always drive like the engaging EV that it is, but with freedom to charge from the wall or on the go.”
Mazda’s EV technology uses an electric motor and a 35.5 kWh lithium-ion battery. The front-wheel drive electric motor will deliver an output of 107 kW (144 horsepower) and a maximum torque of 271 Nm (200 lb.-ft.). MX-30 owners – like other EV owners – now have multiple options to stay charged at home or traveling around town through access to public Level 2 and DC fast charging outlets. The 35.5 kWh battery can be charged to 80% – it’s claimed – within approximately 36 minutes using DC fast charging1. MNAO will partner with ChargePoint to offer charging solutions for MX-30 owners in the US. Additional details on this partnership are apparently still being worked out. (Daimler Expands ChargePoint to Europe, GM to Work with Evgo, ChargePoint, Greenlots on EV Charging)
Enhanced – marketing babble alert – “i-Activsense safety items help cover a wider range of safety scenarios while its high strength body helps protect the space-saving battery and the MX-30’s occupants.” Details and availability of these safety features will be shared closer to the launch of this vehicle.
Mazda Connected Services will let users to monitor and control the state of the MX-30 remotely through the MyMazda App as is now common in the EV world. This includes locking the doors and adjusting the climate control to checking the battery status and charging process through the app.
Fine Print Footnote Enlarged
1 Level3: DC max output at 50 kh charging. General conditions: State of charge (SOC) in the meter from 20% to 80%, battery temperature at 77° F.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Mazda Finally Joins the Electric Vehicle Parade
The half rear-suicide-door was on the Saturn Ion Coupe decades ago. Maybe it’s time has come again?
Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today semi-announced the introduction of the Mazda MX-30, its first battery-electric vehicle, in the US market beginning in fall 2021 at California dealerships. This is the first step in Mazda’s “multi-solution electrification strategy” that is lagging numerous other industry leaders.
“Mazda is preparing for the fast-changing US market demands by taking a multi-solution approach to electrification,” said Jeff Guyton, President of Mazda North American Operations, said. “The battery-powered MX-30 will begin the introduction of additional electrified models, including a series plug-in hybrid with a rotary generator for MX-30, a plug-in hybrid for our new, large platform, and a traditional hybrid for our new American-made crossover. While these powertrains will be optimized for their platforms.”
“The rotary generator will mark the return of our unique rotary powertrain,” Guyton said. “This technology is being engineered for nearly silent operation and will replenish the battery rather than drive the wheels. As a result, the MX-30 will always drive like the engaging EV that it is, but with freedom to charge from the wall or on the go.”
Mazda’s EV technology uses an electric motor and a 35.5 kWh lithium-ion battery. The front-wheel drive electric motor will deliver an output of 107 kW (144 horsepower) and a maximum torque of 271 Nm (200 lb.-ft.). MX-30 owners – like other EV owners – now have multiple options to stay charged at home or traveling around town through access to public Level 2 and DC fast charging outlets. The 35.5 kWh battery can be charged to 80% – it’s claimed – within approximately 36 minutes using DC fast charging1. MNAO will partner with ChargePoint to offer charging solutions for MX-30 owners in the US. Additional details on this partnership are apparently still being worked out. (Daimler Expands ChargePoint to Europe, GM to Work with Evgo, ChargePoint, Greenlots on EV Charging)
Enhanced – marketing babble alert – “i-Activsense safety items help cover a wider range of safety scenarios while its high strength body helps protect the space-saving battery and the MX-30’s occupants.” Details and availability of these safety features will be shared closer to the launch of this vehicle.
Mazda Connected Services will let users to monitor and control the state of the MX-30 remotely through the MyMazda App as is now common in the EV world. This includes locking the doors and adjusting the climate control to checking the battery status and charging process through the app.
Fine Print Footnote Enlarged
1 Level3: DC max output at 50 kh charging. General conditions: State of charge (SOC) in the meter from 20% to 80%, battery temperature at 77° F.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.