Mazda MX-30, an electric coupe to get out of the ordinary

Barely 48 kilometers. This is the average distance that European motorists travel daily. Mazda has deduced that there was no point in equipping its first electric vehicle with a disproportionately large battery. Thus its capacity does not exceed 35.5 kWh when that of the Peugeot e-2008, for example, claims 50 kWh. Result: the Japanese manufacturer announces a range of 200 km; 262 km in strictly urban use. This relegates the MX-30 to the rank of second car. Unless you completely rethink the use of your car and decide, for example, to choose another means of travel for weekends and holidays. A small battery has some advantages: the impact on the environment is reduced, overweight is limited (+ 310 kg) and the price is contained. The MX-30 is offered from € 33,900, which is € 4,800 less than the Peugeot. Individuals will even be able to deduct the government bonus of € 7,000 which runs until the end of the year. At less than € 27,000, you can access this 100% electric model of almost 4.40 m dressed in a truly original dress. The designers are not content to mix the codes of the SUV and the coupe but have added antagonistic opening doors, as on the RX-8 coupe. The absence of a center leg, the 80-degree opening of the reduced rear doors and the possibility of advancing the front seats facilitate access to the rear seat. If the space is too small to accommodate three adults, the volume of the trunk is that of a family car (366 liters). The fact remains that claustrophobes may be hampered by the insufficient skylight from the loopholes. After these reservations, the interior atmosphere calls only praise with its touches of recycled fabric and its floating central console housing the gear lever and topped with pieces of cork made from wood bark and referring to the first activity from Mazda.

The MX-30 is distinguished by its small rear doors with antagonistic opening. Mazda

Even in its conduct, the MX-30 shows originality. The acceleration, which is more linear than vigorous, is accompanied by a sound close to that of a heat engine and more catchy than the hiss of an electric motor. The 145hp engine makes it possible to reach 100 km / h in 9.5 seconds and then to cap fairly quickly at 140 km / h, the maximum speed. This true-false coupe is not a sports car but the engineers have decked it out with paddles behind the wheel. The one on the left manages regenerative braking on two levels. The one on the right more or less releases the 270 Nm of torque. Over the kilometers, you will find yourself no longer using the brake pedal and playing with the paddles according to your needs and the road profile. The heat is however slowed down by an exaggerated roll and under-damped suspensions. A point to review.

The cabin takes care of ergonomics but it takes a little getting used to navigating the central screen. Mazda

Finally, Mazda simplifies recharging operations by delivering the MX-30 as standard with two cables, one to plug into a household outlet - alternating current with a maximum power of 6.6 kW - and the other for a wallbox (direct current). In this case, the battery recharges 20 to 80% in 40 minutes.

With the government bonus of 7,000 euros, the price of the MX-30 starts at 26,900 €. Mazda

Technical sheet

Motor: electric

Power: 145 ch

Torque: 270 Nm

Transmission: front-wheel drive, 1-speed automatic transmission

Dimensions (L / W / H): 4,395 x nc x 1,555 mm

Trunk: 366 liters

Weight: 1,645 kg

Performance (0-100 km / h): 9.7 seconds

Speed: 140 km / h

Consumption (EU mixed): 19 kWh / 100 km

Range: 200 km

Price: from € 33,900 (excluding bonus)