Mazda Teases Interior Of Its First Production Electric Car

Mazda has been quietly working on its first-ever production EV and we’ll get to see it on October 23 when the all-new model will debut at the Tokyo Motor Show in pre-production form.

Little is known about Mazda’s upcoming electric vehicle, including the name. Still, Mazda has released a teaser video which offers snippets of information and imagery as part of the build up for the Tokyo Motor Show. So we learn that the new battery EV has been designed to give passengers “a feeling of being ‘enveloped in openness,’” whatever that means.

The automaker says the goal with the interior of the vehicle was “to make spending time in the car a comforting experience that allows customers to be themselves.” We didn’t know cars had the ability to change one’s personality but it’s refreshing to know Mazda’s EV won’t revert to such tactics.

Also watch: New Lexus Electric Car Concept Teased For Tokyo Motor Show

On a more serious note, Mazda describes the cabin as evoking “a sense of openness through empty spaces around the center console” which are said to create a connection between the driver and the front passenger seat areas.

The video shows a still of the center tunnel which features two rotary dials and a sleek transmission lever facing what looks like a big tablet like display. Mazda reassures us that the interior materials used throughout the cabin are eco-friendly and comfortable and that the EV packs the latest design and technologies.

While the official details are scarce to say the least, last month we learned more about the Mazda EV via a review of the e-TPV EV prototype which uses a CX-30 bodywork. Despite that, the electric vehicle will feature a standalone design and a dedicated platform. It’s not clear whether it will adopt a hatchback or a crossover body, but our money is on the latter. One thing is certain, though: it will be a subcompact model.

From the video, we learned that electric motor fitted to the e-TPV prototype delivers 105 kW (141 hp / 143 PS) and 265 Nm (195 lb-ft) of torque, with electricity stored in a 35.5-kWh lithium-ion battery. Those are not spectacular figures but they somewhat match what the new Nissan Leaf and Hyundai Ioniq Electric are offering at the moment.