[Edz2k20]

So,

while I'm waiting for my SkyActiv-X 180 I've been doing what I do, obsess over specs

When you look up performance tests and spec and forums you see the same question over and over (aside from why doesnt it have a turbo - see the Mazda 3 rumour) on both the CX-30 and Mazda 3 which is why do we have the 122 and the activ-X and not the 2.5L 186BHP lump from the US.

Now I know a 150 is being made available in mainland Europe, but not the UK (albeit its a reconfigured 122 G engine at 2L), and I know a turbo Mazda 3 is supposed to be coming out in 2021 (who knows if the UK will get it and if it will make it to the CX30) but why no 2.5L given its proven, reliable and used elsewhere.

Is it really fuel consumption as thats, well, its not great and we have hugely more expensive fuel here with 95ron petrol (Gas) averaging about £1.09/L down here (thats about 5.11USD per US Gallon). It could also be issues with emissions, If you look at the two we have available to us in Europe and specifically in the UK (no 150BHP here), we have the 122G with 151G/KM Co2 and the X 2L with 146G/KM (FWD/AUTO)

(Incidentally the brochure I got from the dealer has these listed as 126 and 118 respectively, we'll get back to that another time, its correct here Mazda Brochure)

From what I've been able to find out - cant find this in the US brochure - the US 2.5L 186BHP is shown in specs as 165G/KM

That puts the 2.5L in the same emissions bracket as the 122, believe it or not, for our Vehicle Excise Duty (Road Tax) in the UK.

131-150 g/km	£215 ($266.34 USD)	£150 ($185.82 USD)
151-170 g/km	£540 ($668.95 USD)	£150 ($185.82 USD)

The First total is whats included in the "on the road" price so is added on new cars, the second is what you have to pay per year.

And this is light touch compared with MPG pricing thats coming into force in Europe (Forbes)

So I can only assume that all of this combines with Mazdas "Well to Wheel" mantra to mean big lump engines won't be coming here - at least not petrol / diesel ICE ones - again.

The company has a well documented policy of bringing cars and engines to areas it thinks are appropriate hence Europe with busier, tighter roads and more heavily taxed fuel and emission regulations (which in their current European form become nigh on impossible to meet for anything being manufactured bar all electric from 2025) gets the smaller engines and is first with the X engine whereas the US with cheaper energy costs and, (depending on location), lighter emissions regulations can keep the nice big blocks (at least for now).

How this fits in with a turbo Mazda 3 which is supposed to be hitting Europe in 2021 (if the postings are true!) is a bit beyond me as that would have to end up in the same band or worse!

Anyway just my thoughts, what do you all think?

 

[Ronnie]

The brochure figures of 126gr and 118gr are according to WLTP standard, the 151 and 146 must be the old NEDC standard. I don't know what standard US is using for their 165 gram for the 2.5. So it's apples against oranges and possibly lemons. IF (and a very big IF) the M3 Turbo is coming to NL it is expected to be priced 70.000 Euro because of CO2 emission tax, as it's supposed to be AWD and AT only. That's twice as much as the X over here. You can buy a Merc-AMG 4matic for that kind of money here, what would you do if you have the choice?

 

[steve67]

its all to do with emissions....tax etc as above, sat in traffic pumping out c02 on our massively over crowded roads, thats why uk is pushing Battery cars ...i do miles on my road bike than the car anyway,

 

[Edz2k20]

its all to do with emissions....tax etc as above, sat in traffic pumping out c02 on our massively over crowded roads, thats why uk is pushing Battery cars ...i do miles on my road bike than the car anyway,

Indeed after I hit post it struck me to check the Mazda 6 specs, I may be -probably am - wrong but I think that's the only new Mazda you can have with a 2.5l now in the UK. It has co2 at 172g/km that puts it up another tax band so the initial ved is £870 (1082.35 USD) if that's right then it would price the 2.5l way above competitors models so would never sell.

I think anything performance is going to become more and more expensive in Europe unless it's electric (where it's already expensive - new electric fun hatches just don't exist on the road under about £50,000 to my knowledge at least not big enough for adults)

Interesting times Indeed and explains why we are getting more sedate higher spec vehicles!

What will happen post 2030 is anyone's guess unless someone makes an electric hot hatch / saloon or family SUV comparable with ICE pricing. I can only assume the 2nd hand market will explode until fuel costs drive them off the road / regulations do.

Whilst I applaud the philosophy behind the likes of the new mx-30 etc it's not a replacement for a Mazda 3, cx30 or anything above a Mazda 2 really given range restrictions and the lack of usable rear seating for adults it's a great if not fantastic start but it's not nearly enough to topple ice purchases unless the price goes down massively and the specs go up. Yes, fantastic spec Tesla, no £58 - £130,000 for a good spec Tesla.

Btw Id love a comparable spec electric cx30 but the mx-30 isn't it it's more like a wonderful beach buggy.

 

[Edz2k20]

The brochure figures of 126gr and 118gr are according to WLTP standard, the 151 and 146 must be the old NEDC standard. I don't know what standard US is using for their 165 gram for the 2.5. So it's apples against oranges and possibly lemons. IF (and a very big IF) the M3 Turbo is coming to NL it is expected to be priced 70.000 Euro because of CO2 emission tax, as it's supposed to be AWD and AT only. That's twice as much as the X over here. You can buy a Merc-AMG 4matic for that kind of money here, what would you do if you have the choice?

Thanks for that, makes sense. I only realised as, when my order for the 122 was being processed, I looked at why I had a £540 VED cost when I knew it was £150 per year. As I hadnt had a new car in .....ooooo....a long time and last paid road tax last October I hadnt caught up with the post April 2020 changes in VED.