Mazda's First All-Electric Car Will be a Stand-Alone Model

TopSpeed

By Andrei Nedelea

Published Nov 30, 2018

Mazda is set to launch its first serious all-electric model. Due in 2020, It's a model that won’t look dramatically different compared to other cars in its range and one not developed as part of the automaker’s 2017 tie-up with Toyota.

In fact, Mazda was apparently working on its EV before it entered its partnership with Toyota, which incidentally is a partnership created specifically to jointly develop EVs - just not this first one.

Regarding its body style, we see no reason why Mazda wouldn’t make it a high-riding crossover to take advantage of the exceedingly high popularity of the segment right now. Taller vehicles also allow for easier packaging of the battery modules while still maintaining good room for passengers inside.

But Mazda is an automaker known for bucking trends, so it may very well end up not being an SUV-type vehicle. Besides, Mazda will also launch its first range-extender plug-in hybrid model in 2021 which, according to reports, may use a rotary engine - not the way fans were envisaging the fabled Wankel’s return, I’m sure, but at least it’ll be used for something.

The source report from Autocar quotes Ikuo Maeda, Mazda’s design chief, as having said he doesn’t want the upcoming EV “to look digital,” while the manufacturer’s European design boss remarked that they “don’t want to make an EV to look like a fridge like some other car makers.” Essentially, it will not stick out in the Mazda range too much and will be designed and styled like all other cars they sell, a design language whose latest iteration can be observed on the recently revealed all-new Mazda3 hatch and sedan.

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