The article was originally produced on February 4, 2020, some facts and prices may have changed since then.
Mazda MX30
Electrification is going like a train for almost all car brands. Now it's Mazda's turn to tackle electricity in the form of the all-new MX-30.
Even before the plane took off for Lisbon, I knew that this was about test driving a masked car, as the finished car had not been shown to the public. But I was not prepared for the fact that it was so well disguised that it was a CX-30. Well, sometimes you have to keep an open mind and be prepared for most things. The finished version was shown at the Tokyo motor show at the end of 2019 and also premiered at the electric car fair in Stockholm.
What we are talking about is an SUV in a compact format with pure electric operation. As a flirt with the past, they have chosen to have so-called suicide doors, which they also had on models RX-8. This means that the rear doors are suspended at the rear edge. Something like then the masked version we got to run. Did not have. Furthermore, it will not have quite as long a range as many competitors, but will land at around 20 miles with the battery pack of 35.5 kWh. They will release a first edition where the price is said to land at around SEK 349,900. If it becomes the final price and also range, we will be allowed to come back to. A fun detail is that they talked about a version with a range extender and that it will then be a Wankel engine that helps. Also something the RX-8 model had just like the doors.
On the winding roads along the Cascia bay, we had the opportunity for a short time to feel the powertrain that will land in the finished version. 150 horses pure electricity still makes the car feel nimble with good response. Based on what I experienced, it is difficult to form a clear idea of what the production-ready car will really be like. I therefore ask to come back when I have had the opportunity to test drive it properly.