The Automobile Journalists Association of Canada has recognized BMW, Lucid and Mazda with 2025 Innovation Awards.

The AJAC honours were presented March 19 at the Vancouver International Auto Show.

The winners were:

• Best Green Innovation award – Lucid Air Pure electric powertrain
• Best Safety Innovation award – BMW Digital Key Plus
• Best Technical Innovation award – Mazda Large Platform MHEV Powertrains

“AJAC is excited to recognize this year’s best new technologies in our Innovation Awards,” said Graham Heeps, chair of the AJAC Innovation Awards, in a news release. “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 his 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.”

BMW Digital Key Plus

The BMW Digital Key Plus uses ultra-wideband technology to combat auto theft.

A two-way communication between the vehicle and the key in the owner’s phone prevents relay attacks that are common among car theft. This method of theft is used by criminals to capture the signals from keys in a house and rebroadcast them to steal a car.

Besides helping to prevent auto theft, the digital key allows owners to share their vehicle with family and friends without having to hand over a physical key. The primary owner can also set driving restrictions such as setting vehicle speed limits when they lend their car out, such as to younger or less experienced drivers.

Lucid Air Pure electric powertrain

Lucid developed its own powertrain to better integrate elements such as the motor and battery to create a highly efficient vehicle. Greater efficiency allows automakers to build lighter vehicles with greater range while delivering the performance drivers expect, AJAC said.

Mazda Large Platform MHEV powertrains

Mazda’s Large Platform MHEV (mild hybrid) powertrains underpin the company’s CX-70 and CX-90 SUVs. These platforms utilize turbocharged inline-six-cylinder engine, 48-volt mild-hybrid systems and an eight-speed transmission t boost efficiency, improve acceleration and sharpen driving dynamics and enlarge the front crush zone.

“Mazda made the unconventional decision to go with turbocharged inline-six-cylinder engines and a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, as well as designing a new eight-speed transmission that uses a small electric motor rather than a conventional torque converter,” said Heeps in a news release. “The AJAC Innovation Awards jurors loved that this delivered benefits in several areas: boosting efficiency, improving acceleration from rest and smoothing out gear changes, while enhancing both driving dynamics and frontal crash safety.”

---