Discussion
Slipped under my radar but seems to be an interesting car.
Not a huge battery and range, but good charging speeds.
They didn't go over the top in terms of power (250hp) or battery (80kwh for the big one), but their pricing seems very competitive.
Speccing it out it's still cheaper than a base petrol Audi A5 here, and similar to a Tesla Model 3 Long Range, but it's definitely a bigger car.
Apparently it's a reskin of a Deepal L07 and some other cars from Changan Automobile.
Anyway, on the one hand intrigued as I really like Mazda and liked their Mazda 6, but on the other hand, this isn't really a Mazda as such. That said, looks, dealer network and Soul Red Crystal, at a competitive price?
Not a huge battery and range, but good charging speeds.
They didn't go over the top in terms of power (250hp) or battery (80kwh for the big one), but their pricing seems very competitive.
Speccing it out it's still cheaper than a base petrol Audi A5 here, and similar to a Tesla Model 3 Long Range, but it's definitely a bigger car.
Apparently it's a reskin of a Deepal L07 and some other cars from Changan Automobile.
Anyway, on the one hand intrigued as I really like Mazda and liked their Mazda 6, but on the other hand, this isn't really a Mazda as such. That said, looks, dealer network and Soul Red Crystal, at a competitive price?
These are very much on my radar, I'm waiting for UK pricing and spec to be announced. I reckon that in Soul Red it would look sensational. And you can get a tan interior 
It is IMHO one of the very few genuinely beautiful cars to be released this decade.
One oddity: like many BEVs there is a normal range version and a long range version. The normal range version charges at 150kw but the long range version only charges at 90kw which is really strange. I guess they're using a different type of battery which can only accept a slower charge but 90kw is rather low these days.
I'm surprised that they didn't partner with Toyota, like they did for the Mazda 2. I wonder why they didn't choose to re-skin the bz4x.
It is IMHO one of the very few genuinely beautiful cars to be released this decade.
One oddity: like many BEVs there is a normal range version and a long range version. The normal range version charges at 150kw but the long range version only charges at 90kw which is really strange. I guess they're using a different type of battery which can only accept a slower charge but 90kw is rather low these days.
I'm surprised that they didn't partner with Toyota, like they did for the Mazda 2. I wonder why they didn't choose to re-skin the bz4x.
This emerged on my radar when it was first announced way back when.
The speed of charge on the two battery sizes is down to chemistry, the smaller battery being LFP. I don't see the point of the larger battery.
Additionally the base spec, Takumi?, has pretty much anything you might want, don't need to add anything.
Soul Red and that interior would look really quite attractive.
But the downside, the thing I always rated Mazda for was that they have done things their way. Particularly approved that they avoided the everything on a touchscreen, kept sensible stuff on buttons and used that rotate and push to select knob for screen management. This is first Mazda to go all touchscreen and is, in my opinion, the poorer for it. As a bit of balance it does seem that a lot of the actions that might be useful on buttons are on a static display at the bottom of the screen, but even so still a retrograde step. Though the screen does appear to have a fast processor so very responsive.
Needs a good test drive to see if can live with it, opinions will vary obviously, but for me could be something that spoils an otherwise outstanding vehicle.
The speed of charge on the two battery sizes is down to chemistry, the smaller battery being LFP. I don't see the point of the larger battery.
Additionally the base spec, Takumi?, has pretty much anything you might want, don't need to add anything.
Soul Red and that interior would look really quite attractive.
But the downside, the thing I always rated Mazda for was that they have done things their way. Particularly approved that they avoided the everything on a touchscreen, kept sensible stuff on buttons and used that rotate and push to select knob for screen management. This is first Mazda to go all touchscreen and is, in my opinion, the poorer for it. As a bit of balance it does seem that a lot of the actions that might be useful on buttons are on a static display at the bottom of the screen, but even so still a retrograde step. Though the screen does appear to have a fast processor so very responsive.
Needs a good test drive to see if can live with it, opinions will vary obviously, but for me could be something that spoils an otherwise outstanding vehicle.
AmitG said:
I reckon that in Soul Red it would look sensational. And you can get a tan interior
Here on the continent all you can get is a tan interior for now.AmitG said:
One oddity: like many BEVs there is a normal range version and a long range version. The normal range version charges at 150kw but the long range version only charges at 90kw which is really strange. I guess they're using a different type of battery which can only accept a slower charge but 90kw is rather low these days.
I saw those two numbers (although it's 200kw and 90kw?) and I thought it would be the other way around. That's a real shame. Why go for the long range then though? The smaller battery is faster as well.Unless you specifically do 400km/day, there really is no reason to go for the long range?
AmitG said:
I'm surprised that they didn't partner with Toyota, like they did for the Mazda 2. I wonder why they didn't choose to re-skin the bz4x.
The bz4x is a good car but a pretty poor EV in itself? I'm glad they didn't, I'd much prefer a sleek sedan over another SUV.Also, Toyota is the right choice to partner for a hybrid, not for an EV.
FiF said:
But the downside, the thing I always rated Mazda for was that they have done things their way. Particularly approved that they avoided the everything on a touchscreen, kept sensible stuff on buttons and used that rotate and push to select knob for screen management. This is first Mazda to go all touchscreen and is, in my opinion, the poorer for it. As a bit of balance it does seem that a lot of the actions that might be useful on buttons are on a static display at the bottom of the screen, but even so still a retrograde step. Though the screen does appear to have a fast processor so very responsive.
Whilst I agree, the infotainment in the Mazda was always a let down. I'm okay with it in the MX5 as it has android auto and the car is very sparse, but once you start adding options you really want them to be accessible, and I can imagine the 6e has quite a bit more options.I'm not averse to touchscreens, but to bad implementations (I'm looking at you VW).
Edited by ZesPak on Wednesday 1st October 09:25
Just had a look at one at a Mazda dealer (we were there for a meet).
It does look great in the flesh. Suffers less from the "narrow and tall" design that I find a lot of these cars do (ID7 for example).
The interiour, in tan, looked VERY good, even in the back.
The boot is a boot... it's a bit disappointing compared to a Model S but it's a hatch so definitely an upgrade over a Model 3. Practically no underfloor storage though.
My wife's comment was: it's just... a car. (she does usually gets excited over a nice new car and she loves her Mazda)
I think that speaks a bit to its strength. It's not trying to stand out, it's a good looking car from a trusted manufacturer that isn't an SUV. I wouldn't hesitate to point anyone in its direction tbh.
It does look great in the flesh. Suffers less from the "narrow and tall" design that I find a lot of these cars do (ID7 for example).
The interiour, in tan, looked VERY good, even in the back.
The boot is a boot... it's a bit disappointing compared to a Model S but it's a hatch so definitely an upgrade over a Model 3. Practically no underfloor storage though.
My wife's comment was: it's just... a car. (she does usually gets excited over a nice new car and she loves her Mazda)
I think that speaks a bit to its strength. It's not trying to stand out, it's a good looking car from a trusted manufacturer that isn't an SUV. I wouldn't hesitate to point anyone in its direction tbh.
sam.rog said:
Hopefully this is only a short term thing and they get back to developing the wankel powered rx7 successor.
The rotary engine has several inherent weaknesses. One of these is it's need to burn oil, so it will never be low in emissions.I'm a sucker for oddball ideas, but the above plus low torque and seal wear are enough to consign wankels to history. The only glimmer of hope is that if they can be used as generators in hybrids. High power-to-weight ratio and intermittent use when driving could perhaps be palatable.
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