The Mazda MX-30 e-Skyactiv R-EV series plug-in hybrid has received a maximum five-star rating by Euro NCAP as the excellent results of the battery-electric MX-30 e-Skyactiv EV tested in 2020 now officially apply to its new plug-in hybrid derivative.
The MX-30 was the first Mazda to achieve an overall five-star rating under the more stringent 2020 Euro NCAP crashworthiness ratings with a stronger emphasis on occupant protection, post-crash protection, and advanced driver assistance technology. This excellent performance is a result of three key factors: The latest Skyactiv Vehicle Architecture features a high-rigidity, impact-absorbing yet lightweight bodyshell. A wide range of advanced i‑Activsense safety technologies help drivers identify potential risks and reduce the likelihood of damage or injury. High standards of pedestrian protection mitigate the impact of a collision with vulnerable road users.
Both MX-30 derivatives score impressively in all four Euro NCAP test categories: Adult Occupant – 91%, Child Occupant – 87%, Vulnerable Road User (pedestrian safety) – 68% and Safety Assist – 73%. Moreover, they achieved maximum points in lateral impact tests, as well as full marks for crash test performance based on 6- and 10-year-old children for both frontal and lateral impact.
Having been revealed at the Brussels Motor Show in January, the Mazda MX-30 e-Skyactiv R-EV will arrive in Ireland this summer. It is a plug-in hybrid that offers the same customer values as the pure electric Mazda MX-30, while simultaneously offering new ways of using a car as a battery electric vehicle. With its 17.8KWh battery, the R-EV has an 85km pure electric range. While using Mazda’s unique rotary engine technology, the all-new 830cc single-rotor petrol engine acts as a generator to enable longer distance drives without range or charging anxiety.
With no mechanical connection between the engine and the wheels, the rotary unit simply acts as a generator, ensuring the MX-30 R-EV always drives via the electric motor to deliver a seamless EV driving experience. With more than half a century of expertise in the development of rotary engines, Mazda selected the rotary powerplant for this application due to its unique ability to produce the required output from a small, light and easily packaged unit. The rotary engine is placed neatly alongside the generator and high-output motor in the engine bay. The combination of the 17.8kw battery and 50-litre fuel tank create a unique series plug-in hybrid with a flexible total range of over 597km, while a WLTP CO2 output of just 21g/km ensures class-leading environmental performance.
Compatibility with both AC charging and rapid DC charging is another benefit, meaning 3-phase AC charging takes around 50mins, while for maximum customer flexibility, DC rapid charging can be completed in around 25 minutes. The Mazda MX-30 R-EV has three drive-modes to suit different driving situations: Normal, EV and Charge, and thanks to a 125kw/170ps output, it delivers slightly better acceleration performance than the 145ps fully electric MX-30.
Committed to a future society free of car accidents, Mazda works continuously to advance safety performance under the Mazda Proactive Safety philosophy. The superior driving dynamics achieved as a result of Mazda’s Skyactiv Technology also contribute to the new Mazda MX-30 e-Skyactiv R-EV’s driving safety. By making the car easier to drive, they reduce the potential for accidents without compromising Mazda’s traditional fun-to-drive character.
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