Mazda plans premium EV push

Mazda’s advance into electrified transport will continue in parallel with a multifaceted combination of increasingly efficient petrol engines, plug-in hybrids and “other applications” for its forthcoming rotary range-extended EV.

Unlike its first pure electric model – the MX-30 E35 – future Mazda EVs will roll on a dedicated Skyactiv EV ‘skateboard’ type platform, but offer the same quality, driving enjoyment and unique design of its pioneering battery car, according to Mazda Australia's marketing director, Alastair Doak.

“The exciting thing about that car (MX-30 E35) is it shows the philosophy of what we think an EV should be,” he said speaking to Wheels at the launch of the updated MX-5 this week.

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That vision, says Doak, would be of cars with longer driving range and more accessible pricing thanks to the bespoke new architecture, combined with a continuation of the dynamic refinement and appealing design.

“Forget the range and price, but the pedal input and all that stuff we spent a huge amount of time developing in that car will be replicated in other EVs as they come down the line. It really demonstrates our thinking.”

With a $65,490 asking price and relatively limited driving range, the electric version of the MX-30 has not matched the sales of its more mainstream variants since its introduction in late 2021, but Doak forecasts Mazda to meet the increasing demand for electrified cars in Australia.

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“We always said it (MX-30 E35) would be a niche player, particularly in Australia. We will do more (EVs) and, of course, you need to react – if people want [driving] range then they’ll have range.

“We’ll be able to dial those things up and down for the Australian market. We will meet the customer demand.”

Following the battery version, a rotary engine-powered range-extender MX-30 will be coming to Australia in limited numbers, resurrecting Mazda’s trademark engine a decade after it was discontinued with the departure of the RX-8.

Intriguingly, Doak hinted at developments the rotary variant will initiate after its global launch both globally and locally.

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“MX-30 range extender is coming out globally this year and we’re still in line for that car,” he said. “It’s a unique proposition around the world. There’s some interesting thinking behind that car that can be used in other applications down the track.”

It follows confirmation from MX-30 program manager Tomiko Takeuchi last year that the company was looking at a diverse range of alternative applications for its revenant rotary.

“Developing EVs using the rotary engine as the power generator and also offering a plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) like the MX-30 this time, we can think of different ways of applying the rotary engine and we are going to study what we can do in the future,” she said.

Plug-in hybrids certainly will provide a stepping stone to the next pure electric Mazdas, the first of which will take the form of the all-new CX-60 due for reveal this week and arriving in Australian showrooms later in the year.

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Paired with new inline six-cylinder engines and rear-drive powertrains, the mid-sized coupe SUV will represent the first PHEV for Mazda, but further plug-ins will depend on how the market reacts to its first, said Doak.

“That market and technology is emerging here. Plug-ins outsold diesel in Europe last year…that shows maybe where the train will come here. We’ve still got to do some more specific research and what that means, but it’s going to be interesting.”

Mazda is embracing the various approaches to electrification and exploring multiple options, but the development of more advanced petrol engines remains an important part of its strategy in parallel with electric drivetrain research.

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According to Doak, petrol power will continue to have a place in Mazda model line-ups until the transition to renewable energy is complete and EVs offer the true zero-emissions motoring many fence-sitters are waiting for.

“Until you’re filling your EV up with renewables, there’s a very clear argument that you’re not doing anything for CO2 emissions and an efficient engine can be better,” he said. “If you fill up your Tesla with brown coal from the Latrobe Valley, you’re about 200 grams per kilometre. Fill up your Mazda 3 (with petrol) and you’re about 150g per kilometre. Which one’s better?

“That’s changing and hopefully it changes quickly. Where there are a lot of renewables we will have vehicles that are suitable, and where there aren’t we will continue to improve the internal combustion engine”.

In addition to its significant rotary engine initiatives, Mazda recently filed a patent for a new two-stroke petrol engine, continues to explore incremental efficiency advances such as its Skyactiv-X compression ignition petrol engine, and is also exploring the potential of synthetic fuels.