CAR giants can be excused for living in 'Fuel's Paradise'â¦

Wind back the clock a couple of decades or so and the government of the day saw diesel as an answer to global warming and encouraged it to flourish.

Fast forward and it became the bad boy and we were lured back to petrol.

Now, of course, petrol is on the wane and battery power is seen as the current - no pun intended - saviour.

No wonder car makers, like Mazda, have wavered in the quest for the best route to follow. Until now, the innovative Japanese independent has had just a single BEV - the MX-30, which with a very limited range, lacks mass appeal.

Next year, however, it introduces the 6e, an all-new electric version of its large and now defunct Mazda6 saloon with a refreshed body, hatchback design and a decent range.

The result of an alliance with Chinese maker Changan, the 6e majors on luxury and comfort yet, in typical BEV style has a good turn of speed with punchy acceleration, particularly from start-off.

It looks very much a member of the Mazda family, with its large classic grille, sculptured profile and tell-tale circular tail lights.

If it weren't a Mazda, it could easily be an updated Jaguar XFâ¦such is its size and sense of presence.

We sampled an early European model with left-hand-drive and Swiss number plates.

It was powered by a 245ps 80kWh lithium iron phosphate battery giving a claimed range of 343 miles combined. A less powerful version is also available, though the final decision on which to bring to UK is yet to be made.

Price is also yet to be set, though it is anticipated to be in the £40,000 to £50,000 bracket.

The cabin is a place of cocooning luxury with large, deeply upholstered seats, a huge armrest-partition between driver and passenger and one of the biggest touchscreens ever seen.

The flagship Takumi model we drove had a full length panoramic, thermally insulated glass sunroof, electric tailgate and artificial leather upholstery - which, perhaps, translates as plastic!

Leg and shoulder room front and rear is impressive, though headroom for back seat passengers is less generous. The rear hatchback boot is above average size with space for 466 litres of luggage. There's another 72 litres upfront in the ‘frunk'.

With such an opulent cabin, you expect the prestige feeling to continue on the move. And it certainly does, as the 6e wafts silently away with barely a whisper.

An absence of wind noise and its BEV power make for a restful journey and is complemented by the poised ride and absorbent suspension which nevertheless keeps the large body - it's nearly five metres long - firmly in check.

Acceleration is brisk but hardly neck-jerking with 62mph coming up in around seven seconds and a restricted maximum of 109mph.

The necessary controls are far removed from Mazda's usual style - probably the result of Changan's involvement.

Most are operated via the massive touchscreen, including adjustments to the external mirrors, the wiper controls and the lights.

Probably, with time their usage would become second nature, but on a shortish test drive it proved a distraction from the business of driving.

Elegantly styled and luxurious to travel in and drive, the 6e should allow Mazda, a firm favourite with keen drivers, to challenge the likes of BMW and Audi in the BEV sector.