Mazda to celebrate new year in style

MAZDA has announced the price and specification of its new CX-30 compact SUV, which will arrive in the UK in January 2020.

Revealed at the Geneva Motor Show in March, the CX-30 enters a new market segment for Mazda, slotting into the firm’s award-winning SUV range between the CX-3 and CX-5.

Following the launch of the all-new Mazda3 earlier this year, the Mazda CX-30 is the second model in the company’s next generation line-up and the second to feature the ground-breaking Skyactiv-X spark-controlled compression ignition engine.

The eye-catching new model, combining the bold stance of an SUV with the sleek profile of a coupe, its styling is a sophisticated evolution of Mazda’s KODO design philosophy, while its makers say its spacious and versatile cabin ensures it has the practicality and comfort demanded by customers in this still very popular sector of the car market.

Available in five trim levels – SE-L, SE-L Lux, Sport Lux, GT Sport and GT Sport Tech - the new CX-30 features Mazda’s characteristic generous standard equipment across the entire range, and is offered in the UK with a choice of two petrol engines, both of which feature the 24v Mazda M Hybrid mild-hybrid system.

Familiar from the recently launched all-new Mazda3, the 122ps 2.0-litre Skyactiv-G engine features cylinder-deactivation and is exclusively matched to front-wheel drive with a choice of automatic or manual transmission across all five trim levels.

Likewise, the ground-breaking Spark Controlled Compression Ignition (SPCCI) Skyactiv-X petrol engine is also offered across all grades with a choice of transmission. Additionally from Sport Lux upwards, the Skyactiv-X CX-30 is available with Mazda’s latest advanced i-Activ all-wheel drive system.

Thanks to its unique combustion method in which spark plug ignition is used to control compression ignition, the resulting efficiencies mean this 180ps petrol SPCCI engine delivers diesel rivalling economy combined with low CO2 emissions and flexible performance. With emissions as low as 105g/km and combined fuel economy as high as 47.9mpg.

While Mazda is committed to diesel and the development of next-generation clean diesel engines for appropriate sectors, the abilities of Skyactiv-X and diminishing consumer demand for diesel engines in the compact SUV segment mean that in the UK the Mazda CX-30 will be exclusively petrol.

Priced from £22,895 to £33,495, the 26 model Mazda CX-30 range will arrive in UK dealers in January 2020, but is available to order now.

New car sales remain steady

THE UK new car market fell just -1.6 percent in August, to 92,573 registrations but there is good news for zero emission vehicle uptake, with registrations up nearly fivefold to take a record 3.4 percent market share as hybrids also register growth.