Mazda's 2025 electric car assault: Could new electric car platform spawn sports car, premium sedan and SUV?

Mazda took a while to reveal its hand when it comes to electric vehicles, but plans are afoot to introduce a range of charged-up models to its range.

The Japanese carmaker announced its Sustainable Zoom-Zoom 2030 strategy in June this year, which included some details on its new Skyactiv Multi-Solution Scalable Architecture.

The plan is to roll out electrified versions of all Mazda models by 2030. This will spawn five hybrid models, five plug-in hybrid models, and it will encompass an EV-specific architecture that will underpin three new all-electric models from 2025.

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Mazda will tailor its electrification offerings to individual markets and it will depend on uptake of low-emission vehicles in these specific markets.

Mazda also announced earlier this month it is adding several new SUVs to its line-up – including the CX-50, CX-60, CX-70, CX-80 and CX-90. It’s expected that these will all have some form of electrification, be it hybrid or plug-in hybrid, but not necessarily full EV.

A Mazda Australia executive recently confirmed with CarsGuide that the new dedicated EV platform would not be used to underpin any of these new SUVs that will fall under Mazda’s new large vehicle architecture.

Mazda already has its first battery electric model in the MX-30 crossover, which is also available in mild-hybrid guise. The company has already confirmed it will resurrect its rotary engine technology for another MX-30 variant next year. The rotary acts as a range extender in the MX-30 and it’s unclear if this tech will be rolled out to other models.

There’s also talk of Mazda introducing the Chinese-market CX-30 EV to Australia, but again, this will not be underpinned by the new platform.

So that means the three EV models will either be next-generation versions of existing nameplates, or completely new model lines.

Mazda is keeping its cards close to its chest for now, but what if its future EV line-up looked like this?

Sports car

Mazda has a long and storied history in sports cars, with models like the RX-7 and RX-8 as well as the MX-5. Given the brand’s performance car history, it makes sense that Mazda would incorporate that into its EV strategy.

Mazda could transform the next MX-5 into an EV, but there are reports it will be a hybrid. The Japanese brand could build an all-new sports car, potentially based on the striking RX-Vision concept from the 2015 Tokyo motor show.

An all-electric sports car would certainly help Mazda with its move upmarket and it could compete with similar models from premium manufacturers like the upcoming electric Genesis sports car or even the Tesla Roadster.

An all-electric Mazda sports sedan could look something like the Vision Coupe concept from 2017.

Sports sedan

Despite recently announcing a massive push into the SUV space, Mazda still believes in sedans, and what better way to show that commitment than with a sleek, fully electric premium sports sedan.

Mazda’s answer to the Tesla Model 3 and BMW 3 Series could sit alongside the next-generation Mazda6 sedan that will be built on the new large rear and all-wheel-drive vehicle architecture shared with new SUVs like the CX-60, 70, 80 and 90.

Given the uptake of EVs on the continent, it's likely to have a European focus and offer genuine performance chops.

SUV

The last of the three initial Mazda EVs could well be a sleek and sporty crossover. Mazda is boosting its SUV range but the brand clearly believes you can’t have too many high-riding wagons, so why not add another one?

This might be a competitor for the likes of the next-generation Porsche Macan, which is confirmed to go all electric.

A few years ago, Mazda trademarked a number of model names, including CX-10, CX-20 and CX-40. If it is one of these, our money is on CX-40.