Hybrid drivetrain for Mazda crossover

Energy-recuperating system now on CX-30.

ANOTHER crossover in the Mazda family now has the new 2.0-litre hybrid drivetrain that debuted in a sister model.

Addition of a $44,390 SP20 MHEV Blackout Edition to the CX-30 range comes with announcement of a raft of other, more modest revisions to the compact crossover. 

The new version runs the same e-Skyactiv G setup that first showed in this market with the recently-arrived MX-30 Hybrid, where it makes 114kW and 200Nm.

The powertrain comprises a 2.0 litre petrol four-cylinder engine which marries to a system storing electricity in a 24 volt lithium-Ion battery. This allows recovery and storage of electrical energy, mainly created during deceleration.

In addition to recycling energy usually lost during deceleration, the system is designed to help drivability by substituting engine torque for motor torque - taking both driving performance and fuel efficiency to the next level, Mazda claims.

It says the set-up is always predicting energy input and output while driving to ensure the most intelligent use of energy possible when the car is starting, accelerating or coming to a stop resulting in improved fuel economy.

CX-30s also have G-Vectoring Control Plus, Mazda’s brand of torque vectoring that enhances the ride and handling with subtle engine torque and braking adjustments.

All 2022 CX-30s achieve head-up display, built-in GPS, Android Auto/Apple CarPlay connectivity, a reversing camera and privacy glass. Automatic emergency braking (with night-time pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and adaptive cruise control are also ingredients.