First Mazda EV will be a bespoke model, but it won’t look “like a fridge like some other car makers”

First Mazda EV will be a bespoke model, but it won’t look “like a fridge like some other car makers”

The first fully-electric model from Mazda will be a standalone model, according to a report by Autocar. The Japanese automaker from Hiroshima last year laid out its plans for electrification, citing that all of its future cars will be electrified in some way by 2035, and in October confirmed that it will launch a full battery EV and a rotary-engined range extender in 2020.

Both powertrains will feature in the same model and debut around the same time, the report said, adding that it will be followed by he firm’s first plug-in hybrid in 2021. The new model’s exact form has yet to be confirmed, though Autocar says this is likely to be an SUV as it is both a popular style and can accommodate battery packs more easily.

Mazda design chief Ikuo Maeda told the website that he doesn’t want upcoming electric vehicles to ‘look digital’, and meant that he would like the electrified models to have the same design-led style as the rest of Mazda’s current range. “We don’t want an EV to look like a fridge like some other car makers,” added Jo Stenuit, Mazda’s European design head.

The first of Mazda’s upcoming electric vehicles has been in development before its joint venture with Toyota was formalised, and as such won’t emerge from the alliance with its compatriot. So far, Mazda has chosen to further develop internal combustion engines for better efficiency, resulting in the Skyactiv-X compression-igntion petrol engine which resides in the new Mazda 3.

The company aims to further reduce carbon emissions – not just from tailpipe emissions, but manufacturing processes as well – by up to 50% in 2030 (compared to levels in 2010), onwards to a 90% reduction in 2050. With the commercialisation of the Skyactiv-X engine, Mazda is heading towards electrification of its model range to various extents; 95% of them will be hybrids, with the remaining 5% being pure EVs.

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Mick Chan

Open roads and closed circuits hold great allure for Mick Chan. Driving heaven to him is exercising a playful chassis on twisty paths; prizes ergonomics and involvement over gadgetry. Spent three years at a motoring newspaper and short stint with a magazine prior to joining this website.

 

Comments

  • John designed mazda on Nov 30, 2018 at 5:06 pm

    No, this is a fridge designed by Proton designers!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 5
  • John Minum Teh 8X on Nov 30, 2018 at 5:48 pm

    All over the world, car manufacturers are moving fully to EV. Infact by 2035, all cars in Europe will be EV. That is just 16 years more

    So people are now already perfecting EV and making the car go further and also making it aesthetically sexy

    But in Malaysia, Proton still tidur. No EV and No Hybrid. Proton promised Hybrid 10 years ago, until now, habuk pun tarak

    Then when nobody buys the outdated Proton cars (when the world moved to EV fully), Proton says we are not patriotic

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 2
    • Jepunis hybrid tipu punya, expensip battery, service, parts maintenance. No RV.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
    • BUt but but used toyota hybrid can get get cheap in mudah for reason. EV also will be same.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • dsgnr on Nov 30, 2018 at 10:03 pm

    Mazda, you are wrong. In bolehland, unkers and aunties do appreciate fridge design. Look at toyota alpad and hellfaiya, nissan serena, voxy etc all based on fridge design. They love fridge because they can get all food they eat much until they have big bellies.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
    • You probably dont know why people bought Vellfires. If you want a driver’s car, obviously it sucks since the vehicle is tall and bulky, plus not much power since most ppl bought the 2.5L variant here , not the 3.5L V6. Average acceleration power, but stability is there. The main reason why ppl buy this fridge is because of its unmatched passenger comfort. It is more comfortable than any Mercedes for the passenger.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • mazdakailan on Dec 01, 2018 at 1:52 am

    Even now no hybrid battery replacement costs a bomb coz auto start stop. When EV starts the price will be more expensive. Avoid at all cost.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • sam123 on Dec 03, 2018 at 8:48 am

    GTR, NSX, SUPRA are fridge.. hahhaa

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • heybadigol (Member) on Dec 03, 2018 at 1:06 pm

    Some fridges look pretty cool, like those by Italian brand Smeg.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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