Mazda, which is promoting the adoption of electrification technology, has announced that it will introduce plug-in hybrid vehicles in 2021. There is a possibility that the "CX-50" will be introduced as a new SUV. What kind of model is it?
PHEV with a rotary engine is here !?
The Mazda "CX-30" has been selling well since it was launched in October 2019. When will the big brother "CX-50" appear? In the first place, is there a model CX-50? We will explore the possibility from the information that Mazda has published so far.
At the Mazda Technology Development Long-Term Vision Briefing held on August 8, 2017, the "Next-Generation Technology Communication & Introduction Plan" was released. Here, the year of introduction of the new powertrain is known.
For example, the 2019 next-generation gasoline engine "SKYACTIV-X". This was installed on the "Mazda 3" and CX-30 that appeared in 2019.
In addition, the battery EV that was announced to be deployed in 2019 is the "MX-30" (European specification) unveiled at Tokyo Motor Show 2019 held in October 2019. Mazda named this powertrain "e-SKYACTIV". And there is a plan to introduce a plug-in hybrid in 2021, which is the possibility of CX-50.
When the CX-50 is a plug-in hybrid, it is the engine that will be the focus of attention.
At the Mazda technology briefing held in October 2018, we decided to aim to equip all Mazda models manufactured by 2030 with electrification technology. This is what Mazda calls "xEV (XEV) conversion". Of the xEVs, only 5% are battery EVs, and the remaining 95% includes three methods that utilize rotary engines.
First, it is a range extender that uses a rotary engine as a generator to extend the EV range.
The second is a plug-in hybrid with a high-powered rotary engine and a smaller battery capacity than the EV.
The third is a series hybrid that also has a rotary engine with higher output and a smaller battery capacity.
The CX-50 seems to have a foundation for becoming a second plug-in hybrid.
Mazda explained that the advantage of the rotary engine is that it is possible to convert to xEV in one car model. Then, the only MX-30 that can be a plug-in hybrid at present is the one that can be deployed in the range extender.
However, first of all, the MX-30 needs to be recognized as an EV in Europe, and I think it is unlikely that Mazda's merit will be the parallel introduction of plug-in hybrids in 2021.
A model with a somewhat larger body size is required to install a battery, but I do not think that the existing "CX-5" and "CX-8" are considering xEV conversion as a basic design.
Therefore, we can think of "MX-50" or CX-50.
Will the CX-5 disappear with the advent of the CX-50?
In the global market, demand for plug-in hybrids has increased in European countries where CO2 regulations have become more stringent due to the strengthening of the European green diesel policy. Given the lineups of European manufacturers and the presence of Toyota "RAV4 PHV" and Mitsubishi "Outlander PHEV (2nd generation)" that will appear in the future for Japanese manufacturers, I feel that the CX-50 is appropriate for Mazda.
If the CX-50 appears, will the CX-5 be the current second-generation only? With the same logic, what will happen to the "CX-3" due to the success of the CX-30?
The general image is that Mazda's SUVs and crossovers will be aggregated into the last two digits, "XX-XX (number)" in the future.
However, looking back on Mazda's history, we have the experience that in the Chinese market, "Mazda 6 (Atenza)" sold up to three generations of new cars at the same time.
CX-3, CX-30, CX-5, CX-50 can coexist for a while in some countries or regions.
Since Mazda's business transformation in the early 2000s, Mazda has focused on making cars and companies with the first priority on maximizing the limited technological assets of a company.
On top of that, in order to establish a well-balanced environmental response, social conditions, and user preferences around the world, we have developed a unique matrix (permutation and combination), and have enabled mixed production at the production site.
That's why I think it is possible to sell the CX-5 and CX-50 together.
The CX-50 will appear sooner or later. Expectations will increase from now on for the attractive appearance of the pulsation design.
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