By Ian Strachan.
Mazda has always been an innovator, coming up with clever ways to differentiate their excellent range. Now the company has come up with a way to drive electric without worrying about range or where the next charge is coming from
Enter the innovative MX-30 R-EV. Based on the all-electric MX-30, this car has its own generator. So while it is always powered by its 17.8 kWh battery, that battery is kept charged up by an 830cc rotary petrol-powered generator. There is no mechanical connection between the engine and the wheels, so it is always on battery power.
The benefits of this clever combination are obvious. You can get 53 miles of electric-only range, but 400 miles in total. You can drive in any of three modes: normal, EV or charge.
I test drove the MX-30 R-EV in Exclusive-Line spec. Its combined battery and rotary generator set-up develops 170PS which is a bit better than the all-electric MX-30. It has a top speed of 87 mph and will take you from 0 to 60 mph in around 9.1 seconds. Not exactly sparkling performance, but that’s not what this MX-30 is about. Instead it concentrates on comfortable driving, good road manners and high specification. Plus the build quality is exceptional.
The MX-30 R-EV is a good looker from all angles helped from the side by gorgeous black and silver diamond-cut alloys. Plus, it’s a car with a few idiosyncrasies, such as the backward-opening rear doors, last seen on the classic Mazda RX-8 sports car.
The interior of the MX-30 R-EV is modern and well laid out, with a good driving position, high specification and high quality trim materials. You get smart light grey cloth seats, powered and heated drivers seat, a heated, leather-trimmed multifunction steering wheel and plenty of storage spaces.
Specification on the MX-30 R-EV Exclusive-Line also includes electronic air conditioning, all-round airbags, 8.8-inch colour touch-screen navigation system with Bose DAB 12-speaker radio plus Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth connectivity, USB ports, radar cruise control, head-up display and a range of safety technology including lane keeping aid, cross traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring distance monitoring and front and rear smart brake alert.
You also get all round electric windows and door mirrors, front and rear parking sensors with reversing camera and adaptive LED headlights with auto-dim.
Handling on the MX-30 R-EV is excellent, with sure-footed grip and a suspension which could handle potholes without too much drama.
The MX-30 R-EV is a good option for someone who wants to do the right thing and go electric but doesn’t want range anxiety on longer journeys. The MX-30 R-EV Exclusive Line is £33,495 on the road. The range starts at £31,495.
