Mazda caught the automotive media unaware when it showed the MX-30 late last year at the Tokyo Motor Show. Not only did they come up with an all-electric crossover, but they also added it to the ‘MX’ family and were pretty close to production with the car by the time they showed it. And now, they’ve added another twist to the story.
Just before the weekend, Mazda took to this little invite-only event called the Automobile Council. There they showed guests something they did not quite expect: an MX-30 with a petrol motor and a hybrid system.
The mild hybrid system in this MX-30 is the same as the one that comes in other Mazda models like the Mazda 3 M-Hybrid that we saw at this year’s Singapore Motor Show (man, it feels like that happened a decade ago).
This means that the MX-30 will not be the dedicated all-electric SUV that we were led to believe. It also means that the leasing model Mazda had developed for the car would only be applicable for the electric powertrain. They are more than prepared to sell units of the petrol hybrid MX-30 in markets where it the car may be viable.
Do note that an MX-30 M-Hybrid model may still not make it to Malaysia. Bermaz Motor has does a really good at building hype around and trust in the Mazda brand, but they’ve yet to start selling hybrids here at all.
But if this ‘e-Skyactiv G’ 2.0L petrol engine can be worked into the MX-30’s chassis, then there’s no reason the standard Skyactiv-G 2.0L petrol WITHOUT the hybrid motor wouldn’t fit.
After all, the MX-30 is a pretty exciting vehicle even without electrification in the picture. Its got suicide doors, a minimalist interior philosophy, and it’s a breath of fresh air in a sea of very similar looking Mazda SUVs. Early drive reports seem to indicate that’s it’s quite fun to chuck around too.
The 2.0L M-Hybrid setup could be great in Malaysia as well.
