Mazda is a company involved in emissions reduction and electrification. It already sells 94% of its electrified cars and is now launching two interesting versions, the CX60 diesel mild hybrid and the electric MX30 with an additional rotary engine. We tried them.
All car manufacturers are fully involved in the development of electric mobility and to this end they are implementing different stages of electrification. From the simplest mild hybrid systems to the 100% electric car, including hybrids and plug-in hybrids. Although all brands are in the same war for electrification, some do things differently and we have a clear example in the Japanese company Mazda.
Mazda has been known for doing things differently from other manufacturers for many years and with electrification it could not be any other way. When the rest of the companies launch hybrid or electric vehicles, in the case of the Japanese company brings new systems of electrification. The most innovative is a newly developed six-cylinder diesel engine with mild hybrid technology but, above all, the MX 30 R-EV.
The latter is a very innovative 100% electric model at its launch but has recently expanded its range with a plug-in hybrid variant. But like everything in Mazda, it could not be the same as in the rest, a gasoline engine associated with an electric one and with a large battery to allow driving more than 50 km in electric mode. No, the Mazda MX 30 R-EV concept is unique on the market.
MX30 R-EV, extended range electric
The starting point is the MX 30, which is an electric vehicle whose range is now expanded with this new variant. Based on electric propulsion, it provides a rotary engine unique in the world that uses gasoline to produce the necessary electricity. But only the electric motor is what moves the wheels of the car. In this way, the new MX30 R-EV supports normal charging and fast charge like any electric. In addition, it has the functionality of being able to externally supply electrical power. up to 1.5 kW and it has three driving modes designed for different situations.
Although Mazda defines it as a plug-in hybrid vehicle, we could also consider it as a extended range electric. And when the battery runs out, the rotary gasoline engine starts up and produces the electricity necessary for the operation of the vehicle. At the same time it also serves to charge the car battery.
The driving experience with the new MX30 R-EV offers a ride comfort similar to the normal MX30, all electric. The reason is that due to the use of a series propulsion system, the electric motor is responsible for moving the vehicle at all times.
Regarding its autonomy, there are important changes with respect to the conventional MX30. And if the electric car can travel up to 200 km according to the approved values, in this case the figure is reduced up to 85 km. But in exchange we will have a gasoline engine capable of producing all the necessary electricity.
Two motors in series
It is also important to highlight the differences in power. The normal MX30 has a power of 145 HP and its maximum speed is 140 km/h. In the plug-in hybrid version, the power increases to 170 HP from its electric motor, while its gasoline engine, which does not provide more horsepower to the powertrain, provides another 75 horses. And its speed is the same, 140 km/h.
Without a doubt, another key that makes this vehicle different is its rotary engine. But why is such an engine used when other similar models use a smaller gasoline engine, even that of a motorcycle like in the case of the BMW i3. The reason is very clear and is that a rotary engine is much more compact than a conventional in-line cylinder engine.
But what should be clear is that in the MX30 R-EV it is always the electric motor that moves the vehicle, while the rotary motor can be used alone to produce the electricity necessary to move the car when the battery runs out. And it can also be used so that at the same time recharge the battery.
Without a doubt a very important novelty with which we have been able to make a first contact. The result is an intermediate combination that allows users of a vehicle usually used as electric to at some point make a longer trip, a trip vacation or something similar.
It also allows for more emergency use when for whatever reason we have not been able to charge the vehicle, something that happens when we have an electric car. This novelty is important for the Mazda range but above all it is further proof that the Japanese company always does things differently.
Another very clear example is the launch of a newly developed six-cylinder in-line diesel engine. At a time when leaders, especially in Europe, want to demonize diesel engines, it is surprising that a Japanese manufacturer makes such a strong commitment to the use of a diesel engine in a car. This engine offers maximum efficiency and includes the most advanced systems to reduce emissions and reduce consumption. It is therefore a key engine in Mazda’s range of large models of the future, at least in the medium term.
But this CX 60, a 4.75m large SUV long and five seats, offers an interesting range for its top-of-the-range model in Europe. The starting point is the 200 horsepower variant that uses this diesel engine and which can be associated with a rear propulsion or four-wheel drive system. As for the gearbox, it is always an eight-speed automatic. The other diesel option is the also six-cylinder engine but with 254 horses only available with four-wheel drive.
As for the top of the range, it is the gasoline plug-in hybrid engine that has a powertrain of 328 horses. This power comes from the 192 horsepower provided by its 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine along with the 175 horsepower from its electric motor. This propulsion system associated with a 17.8 kW hour battery provides an approved range of 63 km.
The MX 30 E:RV and CX60 They are the last two electrified acquisitions in the range of the Japanese manufacturer, which has made a great commitment for years to reduce emissions based on the electrification of its range. In 2022, 94% of Mazda’s sales in Spain corresponded to vehicles with an “eco” or “0 emissions” label as the basic versions have mild hybrid, hybrid, plug-in hybrid systems and even the 100% electric variants with the MX 30.
Good green initiative from Mazda
The production of automobiles, like that of anything else, cannot have a zero emissions balance. There are a series of processes that cannot be done without contaminating. Well, for that, Mazda Spain has also sought a good medium-term solution, compensation.
Other manufacturers have already launched initiatives to plant trees to offset their emissions. In the case of Mazda it is something different, although also based on planting trees. Thanks to an agreement with the Cesefor company, This is responsible for planting the trees but also for maintaining those forests and making them profitable, which is what almost no one does.
The issue of ecology and environmental protection is based on subsidies, everything is public subsidies and aid. The electric car is only sold If there are subsidies, Charging points are only installed if there are subsidies, solar panels, wind turbines… And the same thing happens with planting trees.
Profitable forests in Soria
The difference between this Mazda project and Cesefor is that not only are trees planted, but they are cared for and ensure that the forests are profitableeither with its resin, with the wood when they have reached their mature age or with some other resource.
Cesefor is a private research organization that carries out 20 years in operation and its priority objective is to improve the future of forests. To achieve this, what it seeks is to promote the bioeconomy, to make these forests profitable. To do this, different sources of financing are sought, from resins or wood, to mushrooms in the forests. Or anything else that can provide a source of income to ensure the future of forests without depending on subsidies. The example of the province of Soria, one of the most wooded in Spain, it is the best demonstration that can be achieved.
