Mazda's first pure-electric car to be standalone model

Mazda has confirmed that its first pure-electric car that's set to arrive in 2020 will not be an adapted version of its current line-up but an all-new standalone model.

Favouring a similar approach to Jaguar who chose to launch its EV tech with the bespoke I-PACE, according to

Another more exciting prospect, if less likely, is a production version of the stunning RX Vision concept (pictured).

As well as a full-pure-electric version, the same mystery model will be offered to buyers with the option of a small compact rotary-engine range-extender.

A year later, in 2021, Mazda will launch its first-ever plug-in hybrid vehicle.

Instead of differentiating its design, in a similar approach to Toyota with its Prius, head designer Ikuo Maeda said he wants his pure-electric vehicles to share the same design language as current models like the recently-launched Mazda3.

Despite forming a technical alliance with Toyota last year to specifically co-develop pure-electric vehicles, according to senior sources the 2020 Mazda EV is said to have been developed in-house.

Mazda has been one of the slowest car-makers to embrace both hybrid and pure-electric powertrains, favouring instead to enhance and refine current combustion engine technology.

The new Mazda3 unveiled at the LA motor show, for example, will introduce a pioneering compression-ignition petrol engine that's predicted to reduce fuel use by 30 per cent. The car-maker will also employ mild-hybrid tech on all its future petrol-powered engines.