Electel Blogspot

This was a Mazda concept built in the early 1990s from an in-house competition about personal mobility, writes Brian Byrne . The engineers involved made it from a production 'pocket' motor bike, and the largest Samsonite hard-shell suitcase they could buy. After the minute or two required to assemble, the 32kg contraption could carry its single passenger along at speeds of up to 30km/h, powered by a 34cc two-stroke engine. It was never designed for production, but they built three for display, only one of which remains in existence — the original was accidentally destroyed, one exhibited at the 1991 Frankfurt Motor Show 'disappeared under unknown circumstances' and the surviving version is in the US.  

Mazda has released new details of its first electric production car, the MX-30 small SUV coupe, which will be available in RHD markets early next year, writes Brian Byrne . The rear passenger doors are rear-hinged, with no centre pillar, facilitating easy entry to the rear. Aimed at the urban commuter market, the battery range is limited to 200kms, which Mazda says is well within the average daily drive of the European motorist. The luggage compartment offers up to 366L of cargo capacity. Other features include climate control operated via a central touch screen, with temperatures responding to taps or swipes. There are no details yet on prices or arrival date in Ireland.