Page 20 - Motor Trend (February 2020)
P. 20
NEWS I OPINION I GOSSIP
Intake Honda
Fit Home
Mazda MX-30
Jimmy Sierra
360 minicar of the ’60s (if you Google it,
you’ll see this is a very flattering inter-
pretation). Sure, there’s a plug-in hybrid
drivetrain under the hood and tiny cameras
on the front fenders to replace rearview
2021 Mazda MX-30 you’ve got the next-generation Subaru mirrors, but its coolest feature is its “waku
Mazda unveiled its first full EV, which WRX. It will ride on the latest Subaru waku” switch. Pressing it transforms the
is set to go on sale in Europe, Australia, Global Platform architecture first used body shape from a notchback to a soft-sided
and likely Canada in late 2020. Its 141-hp, on the 2017 Subaru Impreza. A next-gen wagon-back while altering the front-end
195-lb-ft front motor seems capable of EyeSight system employs wider camera and instrument cluster appearance.
providing decent acceleration, but the viewing angles plus two front and two Toyota e-Racer
likely 120-ish-mile range from its 35.5- rear radar units to improve pre-collision Cars put 15 million horses out of work, but
kW-hr battery capacity sounds insuffi- braking performance and better inter- people still own horses. When autono-
cient for U.S. customers, so it might not pret situations like crossing and turning mous mobility replaces personally owned
come here in this configuration. (Perhaps in an intersection during low visibility. vehicles, enthusiasts will still collect
the PHEV with a rotary-engine range The Levorg unveils a newly developed and drive cars like this swoopy two-seat
extender Mazda has promised?) Built on 1.8-liter lean-burn direct-injected turbo- tandem roadster. Without divulging
the platform underpinning the Mazda3 charged boxer-four engine, but North any information about what powers the
and CX-30, the 2+2-door styling is unique, America might stick with larger 2.0- and e-Racer (presumably four electric wheel
and the minimalist interior is swathed in 2.5-liter (WRX STI) engines. Expect the motors), a video on the stand played a
sustainable trim like cork and breathable Levorg-inspired WRX to reach our shores constant loop showing an owner’s body
upholstery fabric made from recycled for the 2021 model year or so. being scanned and a form-fitting racing
water bottles. Safetywise, i-Activsense Suzuki Waku Spo suit being robotically created. She suits
will intervene to prevent wrecks when The Japanese love retro designs, and to up, climbs aboard, and dons augmented
turning across traffic, changing lanes, or celebrate its 2020 centenary Suzuki cut reality glasses that can make it look like
veering toward the shoulder. loose with this precious little A-segment she’s sharing the road with traffic from a
2021 Subaru Levorg (WRX) coupe. You might note a passing resem- vintage grand prix or like the real road is
“Levorg” has a definite science-fiction blance to the Honda e that is entering in an underwater tunnel with dolphins
ring to it but translates to “WRX wagon” production and was first shown as the swimming above. Very “high concept”
in Japanese-market speak. Imagine it Urban EV concept at the last Tokyo show, and probably only practical on a private
with a sedan’s C-pillar and trunk, and but Suzuki is reimagining its own Fronte car-club track.
Subaru Levorg Suzuki Waku Spo
20 MOTORTREND.COM FEBRUARY 2020
