The first electric vehicle produced by Mazda, the MX-30, will introduce the company's most advanced connected technology. As we reported couple of months ago, the production of the vehicle has finally started, and the car is expected to have a price of £27,500 assuming that the government’s grant is still available. It will feature an AC synchronous electric motor and a 35.5kWh lithium-ion battery that delivers a range of approximately 124 miles. It comes with AC charging up to 6.6kW and DC rapid charging designed to meet 125A Combo Charging standards up to 50kW. The crossover SUV will be in the same segment as the Nissan Juke and the Fiat 500X.
The company has worked extensively to give customers a unique experience while driving the car. Mazda will be launching the latest development of the MyMazda app this year that will see the introduction of Connected Services across Europe. It plans to add functions that are only possible with an electric vehicle, such as notifications if a driver forgets to plug in the charging cable and the ability to control charging by using a timer, plus monitoring the charge progress and range indicator for added peace of mind.
Also, the innovative upgrade will include the remote control of air-conditioning settings. As no engine is required, users can define the cabin temperature, turn windscreen ventilation on or off and adjust the rear screen heating before entering the vehicle to ensure a comfortable drive for the journey ahead. The ability to pre-warm or pre-cool the car while it is plugged in reduces the demand on the battery once driving.
In addition to the latest upgrades, the MyMazda app enables MX-30 drivers to locate their nearest charging station, view key information such as plug types, opening hours and address, plus send the destination directly to the navigation system within seconds. Drivers will also be able to benefit from accessing real-time information on charge point availability, taking away the pressure of knowing were the next charger can be found.
The interiors will also receive a unique upgrade as this Mazda is the first vehicle to feature touchscreen climate control with the design goal of occupants being ‘enveloped in openness’. Featuring a 7-inch touchscreen display at the front of the console, the system serves as a touchscreen air-conditioning control panel that adjusts temperature, airflow and seat heating throughout the interior.
The MX-30 will be equipped with a choice of two high-quality sound systems, the standard Mazda audio system or on higher grade models an outstanding 12-speaker Bose premium alternative. The Mazda audio system features speakers that are perfectly positioned to produce the best sound and reach the human ear as easily as possible in the cabin environment.
The car will also be equipped with Electric G-Vectoring Control Plus (e-GVC Plus), which enhances chassis performance by using motor torque to optimize the front-rear load shift for improved stability and the MX-30’s Skyactiv-Vehicle Architecture is specifically tailored to compliment the smooth power delivery of the e-Skyactiv drivetrain.
According to Jeremy Thomson, Managing Director at Mazda UK, the company’s latest product has been designed to make the driver’s life easier and to add unique comfort.
“We live in a digital world, and whether you’re remotely defrosting your car from bed in the morning, checking to see if it’s locked at night or checking the range for the journey ahead, the latest development of the MyMazda app will help bring even more convenience for MX-30 drivers and will seamlessly integrate into modern lifestyles,” he said.