Vancouver, British Columbia – The winners of the 2025 AJAC Innovation Awards were presented by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) last Wednesday, announced during the Vancouver Auto Show opening ceremonies.
This year’s awards were divided into three categories: Best Green Innovation award; Best Safety Innovation award; and Best Technical Innovation award.
The Lucid Air Pure electric powertrain is this year’s AJAC Best Green Innovation award winner. According to AJAC, Lucid’s powertrain was chosen because “it has developed its technology to better integrate elements like the motor and battery, creating a more efficient EV.”
“Efficient powertrains enable lighter vehicles and greater range from a given amount of energy,” AJAC continued.
Additionally, the winner of this year’s AJAC Best Safety Innovation award is BMW’s Digital Key Plus. This device uses ultra-wideband (UWB) technology to offer a way to combat auto theft.
For AJAC, the technology won the award due to its two-way communication between the vehicle and the ‘key’ in the phone that helps prevent ‘relay’ attacks.
Finally, AJAC’s 2025 Best Technical Innovation award went to the Mazda Large Platform MHEV (mild-hybrid) powertrains.
“Mazda’s combination of turbocharged inline six-cylinder engines, 48-volt mild-hybrid system and newly designed eight-speed transmission boosts efficiency, improves acceleration from rest, sharpens the driving dynamics and enlarges the front crush zone,” said AJAC.
"AJAC is excited to recognize this year's best new technologies in our Innovation Awards," said Awards Chair, Graham Heeps. "Safety, efficiency and electrification are front-of-mind for Canadian vehicle buyers. With BMW Digital Key Plus, the judging panel was impressed by an innovative answer to a safety issue that has hit national headlines. The jury also noted that fresh thinking can lead to efficiency improvements that benefit consumers, whether in the form of Lucid's EV technology or Mazda's Large Platform MHEV Powertrains."
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