JOHN MURDOCH'S DRIVE TIME: We reveal Mazda's multi-solution approach to fuels of the future and look at Mercedes' new G-Class special

Daily Record

28-04-2025

In this instalment of John Murdoch's Drive Time, John reveals h ow Mazda is taking a multi-solution approach to fuels of the future and looks at a new G-Class special from Mercedes. The rush to electric power is blocking many from viewing the potential of other alternatives - but not Mazda. The Japanese company has always taken a multi-solution approach to fueling its powertrains and to prove its point 12 Mazda CX-30s drove over 1,300miles across Sweden, Finland and Norway - powered exclusively by sustainable fuel to highlight the potential it has to reduce greenhouse gas emissions when used as a replacement for fossil fuels. Leaving Malmo in Sweden on the cusp of the Baltic Sea, the CX-30s drove to Tromso in Norway over 200 miles north of the Arctic Circle - reaching the Norwegian Sea coastal town after a journey of 1344 miles powered entirely by a 100-per cent biofuel from SUSTAIN. Recently introduced to the 2025 Mazda CX-30, the 140ps e-Skyactiv D 2.5-litre petrol engine features cylinder de-activation and is coupled to Mazda's M Hybrid mild-hybrid system, improving fuel economy and emissions in real world tests over the outgoing 2.0-litre entry-point engine in the CX-30. The introduction of this well-established engine to the 2025 Mazda CX-30 and 2025 Mazda3 line-up is part of Mazda's multi-solution approach to powertrains, where the company continues to develop petrol and diesel engines as well as hybrids, plug-in-hybrids, mild-hybrids and battery electric vehicles. This engine development blended with electrification is a well-established example of Mazda's powertrain innovation enhancing vehicle efficiency. This approach is well-suited to a compelling alternative to fossil fuels that is now gaining traction - offering a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, alongside efficient electrified combustion engines. The Baltic to Arctic drive is just one example of Mazda's commitment to demonstrate the role sustainable fuel can play in the transition away from fossil fuel. Mazda UK has powered its Heritage Fleet with sustainable fuel since 2023, while the same year an MX-5 was the first car to complete a lap of a racing circuit in all four UK home nations while sustainably fuelled and last year a quartet of MX-5s became the first cars to drive from Land's End to John O' Groats using sustainable fuel. All of these activities took place using fuel from SUSTAIN and they demonstrated the role sustainable fuels can play in transitioning modern and classic cars away from fossil fuel. They also highlight how sustainable fuels could complement Mazda's Multi-Solution approach to achieving climate neutrality. The CX-30s on this trip across Sweden, Finland and Norway to the top of Europe, were powered by a 100 per cent second-generation biofuel, manufactured by SUSTAIN. Made from sustainable components manufactured from agricultural waste that would not otherwise be used for animal or human consumption, these biofuels utilise the carbon that already exists in our atmosphere, captured by plants as they grow and then re-released in the internal combustion process. This contrasts with fossil fuels which release additional Co2 that is currently locked underground. Averaging more than 40mpg across the drive, the 2025 Mazda CX-30 e-Skyactiv G cars required no modification to run on the sustainable fuel, again highlighting the flexible nature of this solution. Commenting on the drive, Jeremy Thomson, managing director, Mazda Motors UK, said: 'At Mazda we will continue to develop the internal combustion engine to meet consumer demand in parallel with our battery electric development, as part of our multi-solution approach. "In Japan we are researching and developing engines to run on biofuel as well as algae fuels and synthetic fuels, and in Europe we are a member of the e-fuel alliance. "Our drive to the very north of Europe demonstrates the capability of the Mazda CX-30 in extreme conditions and the benefits of the internal combustion engine and advanced biofuels. In total we will have saved approximately 317kg of CO2 per car on a 1300-mile journey by using SUSTAIN advanced biofuel'. David Richardson, director at SUSTAIN, added: 'Working with Mazda on this drive from the Baltic to the Arctic on 100% sustainable biofuel is something we're extremely proud of. "Electric vehicles are increasing in numbers, but there are still many millions of combustion engine cars on our roads. "Activities like this help show how easily we can reduce the emissions from those vehicles, promoting this option to the many people who still don't know what sustainable fuels are or how they work. "If we want to make the most of this technology, we need to raise awareness, address the misunderstandings and secure support from those in power to enable sustainable fuel production to be scaled up, which could happen relatively quickly. "After all, there is no silver bullet solution to tackle the environmental impact of the automotive sector - it's time we start using all the available technologies to give us the best chance to make a real difference.' Meanwhile, a new version of the Mercedes-Benz G-Class has been revealed with a production run limited to just 460 models. Priced from £152,815 the G-Class Edition Stronger Than The 1980s comes with colours and design and equipment elements from the legendary 280 GE. It is a tribute to the first G-Class model series W 460, which captured people's hearts in the 1980s with its combination of superior on-and off-road capability - and laid the foundations for the unrivalled success story and cult status of the 'Gelandewagen' icon. To round off the vintage appearance, the vehicle front, radiator grille as well as the bumpers, flared wheel arches and exterior mirror housings are finished in night black magno, echoing the robust look of the first G‑Class. *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here . And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here .