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May 5, 2021
Pursuing the Same Driving Enjoyment as Always—Test Drive of the Mazda MX-30 EV Model | MAZDA
Precise Drive Control That Avoids Unnatural Sensations for Occupants
The drive is, in a word, smooth. As mentioned earlier, the battery and inverter are not excessively focused on raw power, so while there isn't the head-snapping acceleration of high-performance German EVs, it offers a continuous, pleasant acceleration from a standstill to highway speeds, a distinct advantage over gasoline engines.
Mazda's engineers have incorporated paddles on the steering wheel to allow drivers to experience the joy of driving through acceleration and deceleration. Normally, you start in the 'D' position. If you want smoother acceleration, pull the right paddle, and the smoothness increases in two stages. For deceleration that doesn't require the brake pedal, use the left paddle. This utilizes the EV's unique regenerative braking system, which generates electricity for the drive battery by using the rotation of the wheels.
While some EVs (in fact, most EVs) use this regenerative braking system so that releasing the accelerator pedal almost brings the car to a stop, Mazda's development team has not adopted this so-called one-pedal operation. Their aim is to allow drivers to experience the same driving enjoyment as always, in a natural way, through acceleration and deceleration.
However, the benefits of motor drive are fully utilized. One example is the behavior when the accelerator pedal is suddenly released. The system is designed with careful control that doesn't abruptly cut off the driving force, preventing any jarring shock. This is just one example; by skillfully using the motor's power for returning the pedals and steering wheel, precise adjustments are made to ensure that neither the driver nor the occupants feel any unnatural sensations.
When cornering, the motor also plays a crucial role. In response to the driver's steering input, the motor controls the gravitational forces (G-forces) acting on the front, rear, left, and right of the vehicle. For instance, when entering a curve, it slightly reduces driving force to shift weight to the front of the car, and when exiting the curve, it increases driving force to shift weight to the rear. This happens subtly, a testament to the Mazda development team's proud system, made possible by the MX-30 EV Model.
The exterior finish is, as expected from Mazda, excellent. For the interior, higher grades now offer seats upholstered in fabric. Fabric generally offers more give than leather, leading to a more comfortable ride. Furthermore, the MX-30 uses a woven fabric, not a typical knit, which provides a firm, supportive seating experience. It offers a level of comfort rarely found elsewhere. The interior design is clean and highly appealing.
There are three grades. Starting with the base model "EV" (4,510,000 yen), followed by the "EV BASIC SET" (4,587,000 yen), and the "EV HIGHEST SET" (4,950,000 yen). The differences lie in the equipment levels. For example, fabric seats are standard on all models (no leather), with the top grade featuring a more elaborate design using synthetic leather on the sides. There are also variations in the available body colors.
MAZDA MX-30 EV MODEL
- Body Size | Overall Length 4,395 x Overall Width 1,795 x Overall Height 1,565mm
- Wheelbase | 2,655mm
- Tread (Front/Rear) | 1,565mm
- Vehicle Weight | 1,650kg
- Minimum Ground Clearance | 130mm
- Maximum Output | 107kW (145ps) / 4,500-11,000rpm
- Maximum Torque | 270.9Nm (27.5kgm) / 0-3,243rpm
- Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut
- Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam
- Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc
- Rear Brakes | Disc
- Battery | Lithium-ion Battery
- Seating Capacity | 5 people
- Driving Range per Charge | 281km (WLTC mode)
- Price | 4,510,000 yen - 4,950,000 yen
Contact Information
Mazda Call Center
Tel. 0120-386-919 (Weekdays 9:00-17:00, Weekends and Holidays 9:00-12:00, 13:00-17:00)
https://www.mazda.co.jp
