Every new year brings a crop of new vehicles to tickle our automotive taste buds. After the horrendous year that 2020 has become, let's hope we can look forward to a brighter and more prosperous 2021. In any event, you cannot keep a determined motor company down and already the latest models are being announced, many of them fully-electric. So here's a small EV cross-section that we can expect from the Far Eastern brands:
Mazda MX-30
With deliveries beginning in early 2021, the MX-30 is the Mazda's first all-electric production vehicle and is part of an electrification strategy that has already seen the Mazda M Hybrid, a mild hybrid system fitted as standard to the Mazda 3 and Mazda CX-30. This all-new motor is a stylish and versatile crossover, they say, featuring an AC synchronous electric motor and a 35.5kWh lithium-ion battery that delivers a range of approximately 124miles and comes with AC charging up to 6.6Kw and DC rapid charging designed to meet the latest standards.
Interestingly, the front doors open forward to an angle of 82 degrees, while the rear doors open backwards to an angle of 80 degrees to reveal a stylish and driver focused interior. Inside, the sense of space belies the compact external dimensions (thanks to the space-saving electric drivetrain) with a floating centre console that sits independently from the dashboard. The lower console incorporates a 7" colour touch-screen air conditioning control panel. Recycling is to the fore with cork-lined centre console trays and inner side door handles, harvested from the bark of trees without felling. The use of cork and door trim materials that incorporate fibres from recycled plastic bottles, are perfectly suited to Mazda’s first pure electric production car.
Lexus UX 300e
Lexus electric technology has been incorporated into their vehicle's drivetrains for a decade now with hybrid technology taking pride of place in all their new vehicles. Now they are producing a fully electric model in the form of the UX 300e. As the first all-electric production model under the 'Lexus Electrified' banner, the UX 300e has been developed for excellent on-road performance.
Lexus engineers, we learn, have preserved the distinctive design and convenience characteristics of the UX compact SUV, while focusing on the opportunities to build on the performance advantages that are unique to battery-electric vehicles (BEV). The UX 300e’s high-output motor provides natural yet brisk acceleration and its high-capacity batteries, located directly beneath the cabin floor, ensure a low centre of gravity allowing for an optimal driving range for such a compact urban vehicle that corresponds to a more than 186-mile/300km target range. Making use of the latest connectivity technology, the UX 300e maximises the advantages of a BEV while at the same time delivering the driving performance and convenience buyers have come to expect from this premium company.
Nissan Ariya
This SUV was first seen as a concept back in 2019 and it is to be officially revealed this month. The final result is yet to be seen but the concept image shown here should be pretty much what buyers can expect.
The Ariya is a five-seat electric SUV that’s similar in size to both the Qashqai and the X-Trail, but with considerably bolder, futuristic looks. This new vehicle should be available from later in 2021. Specifications and cost is not yet known but, this being Nissan, we can expect a quality interior and a popular price.
Seen here in the concept image we understand that many of the striking styling touches will make it into production. At the front, a large grille (likely to be closed off as is the fashion these days on EV's) will be flanked by LED daytime running lights, while the headlights should also incorporate LED technology. It looks very much like the car will have a subtle but rugged look and it appears that four-wheel drive will be an option.
These then are just three future cars from Japan. For now why not visit the MHH Japanese Cars stock list for all the currently available models or Get in touch with us here about importing a specific car you would like.
