Mazda MX-30 is Mazda's first EV and it has suicide doors!

Yeap, you read the title right. The Mazda MX-30 was just unveiled at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show (TMS) and it’s Mazda’s first full electric vehicle (EV).

This is a major milestone for Mazda as the company transition from pure combustion engines to electrification in their next step of sustainable mobility technologies.

For starters, the name MX-30 references the MX-5 roadster and it highlights Mazda’s commitment to continue to build cars that are fun to drive.

Another talking point of the MX-30 is the suicide-style doors which Mazda calls it ‘Freestyle Doors’. Suicide doors first appeared in the RX-8 sport scar.

Inside, the MX-30 features an even more minimalistic cabin architecture with a floating centre console that gives the impression of an airy cabin. Keeping with the theme of sustainability, parts of the interior like the seats and wood trims are furnished with recyclable materials

The MX-30 measures 4,395 mm in length, 1,795 mm in width and 1,570 mm in height with a wheelbase of 2,655 mm – same dimensions as the CX-30 crossover.

During the presentation, Mazda repeatedly assured that the MX-30 will be equally as fun to drive as their regular combustion engine vehicles and customers can look forward to its driving experience.

As with any EV, the floor lithium-ion battery pack gives the car a lower centre of gravity and the lack of a combustion engine gives the car better weight distribution and balance. Coupled with Mazda’s famed chassis tuning, there’s not much to doubt on their words.

The company is still withholding the details of the powertrain, but we know that it is known as e-SkyActiv and will adopt a 35.5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack providing an estimated driving range of 200 km. Mazda has also teased that a rotary range extender option will be available in the future.

European orders will commence today while customer delivers are expected to start in 2020. The Mazda MX-30 has yet to be announced for the Asia region.