Wraps come off the 345hp Mazda CX-90
You've got to love Mazda's willingness to go its own way...
You’ve got to hand it to Mazda: it likes to go its own way. While the rest of the car world is busy chasing Tesla and reinventing themselves as electric-only brands, the Japanese company doesn’t seem too bothered by all the hype. Leave aside electrification for a moment, Mazda is still merrily churning out naturally aspirated petrol engines, in a world where turbos have been the norm for decades.
The only EV it has produced to date was the seemingly hastily cobbled-together MX-30. With the battery range of a worn-out milk float, unsurprisingly, that hasn’t upset the apple cart just yet. To help alleviate the MX-30’s range issues, it’s bringing out a range extender to extend its appeal. It’s called the e-Skyactiv R-EV, but, once again, there’s a twist. The extended range isn’t delivered by a frugal triple.
Oh no, as you might have heard, Mazda is bringing back the rotary engine – an engine famed for its frugality, of course. Or not. In the MX-30 R-EV, we’re talking about an 830cc rotary producing 75hp and fed from a 50-litre fuel tank. The petrol engine is just there to charge the battery and isn’t connected to the wheels, which means it’s able to run at its most efficient revs, yet it’s claimed to offer around 350 miles on top of the battery’s 53-mile range. By my maths, that means it’s averaging just over 30mpg. Hmm...
The MX-30 e-Skyactiv R-EV is definitely coming to Europe, but there’s still a question mark over whether it’ll appear in the US. Meanwhile, on that side of the pond, Mazda has just pulled the covers off its latest project: the CX-90. You might think this is a re-badged CX-9, but it isn't. The CX-9 that's coming to the UK is based around a transverse-mounted, 2.5-litre turbocharged petrol. In the CX-90, the engine's mounted longitudinally, so it can accommodate an all-new, 3.3-litre six-cylinder turbo petrol – you couldn’t make this stuff up. This will have 345hp and a 48-volt mild hybrid system, although there will be a PHEV option, using a version of the 2.5-litre inline four hooked up to a motor and 17.8kWh battery.
As 2013 as all that lot sounds, the truth is I'm glad Mazda is still plugging away at stuff that doesn’t necessarily plug in. Let's just hope the firm isn’t so wedded to its old-school ways that it ends up being left behind, or worse still, left for dead in a ditch by the time it realises the world has changed. And the new CX-90 does show off Mazda’s talents in the styling department, both inside and out. For a large, seven-seat SUV, it doesn't just hide its bulk well, it is truly elegant. It's the same is true inside, with the pictures revealing a rich palette of materials that would appear to make this a very calming and relaxing place to be.
All that picking holes in Mazda's range is only jealousy, by the way. I am jealous that it's the Yanks that'll get a lovely six-cylinder motor and we don't. Apart from the 3.3-litre straight-six diesel that'll debut in the CX-60 this year, of course. Classic.
The interior, however, is beautiful. Mazda are really nailing their interior styling, and if the build quality of this one is anything like the majority of its cars,it's going to back up the promise with real integrity and quality fit.
The engines? Mazda are all over the place! I applaud their support of the wankel engine, though. Maybe with improving materials technology....?
Definitely the most interesting mainstream car manufacturer at the moment.
I love the way they think differently.
Do Mazda use different paint tech to other people? Or do they put more time and effort into the painting process on their production line? (Or am I imagining things?)
Do Mazda use different paint tech to other people? Or do they put more time and effort into the painting process on their production line? (Or am I imagining things?)
two identical panels, to show the difference that paint makes:
It looks ok, but really just an estate car shape, with deeper doors/bumpers. I wouldn't exactly say stunning or head turner. Nothing wrong with it, but quite ordinary looking really on the outside.
Do Mazda use different paint tech to other people? Or do they put more time and effort into the painting process on their production line? (Or am I imagining things?)
Shame we are not getting the petrol inline 6 but the diesel is fairly interesting I suppose. Who else is offering straight sixes in nicely desgined vehicles (bmw - not anymore).
I've never owned a Mazda but can see it happening. My Grandad swore by them having one of the first Mazda's imported in the 70s followed by a load of Mazda 626's, Xedos and later 6s. My Grandma had the 323s and equivalents and I always remember being excited about the massive rear wing on her 3 door, red 323 (I was only 8 at the time so perhaps massive is the wrong word).
Agree, really nice...Will the road tax be rather large if its a 3.3l?
Definitely the most interesting mainstream car manufacturer at the moment.
I love the way they think differently.
Couldn't Agree more. 👍
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