Mazda, tu?
Mazda has done a fantastic job keeping the CX-60 secret, since it is the second time that the all new SUV has been spotted. The automaker’s first-ever PHEV was seen in Germany while it was being tested. It had its production body hidden under thin camouflage. The Zoom-Zoom company isn’t going to be breaking any ground in design.
Mazda is known for making some of the most beautiful SUVs on the market, and the CX-60 looks to be a great family hauler. It could have been even more appealing without the ugly faux exhaust finishers at its back. To make matters worse, the exhaust finishers on the driver’s side act as a decoy because there is no exhaust tip. The real deal is hidden beneath the finishers on the right side. Similar exhaust systems have been seen before. We are looking at you. Audi S6 diesel).
The CX-60 looks familiar, but it is quite different beneath the skin. The CX-60 rides on a rear-wheel-drive platform that is equipped with longitudinal engines. Logic says we are looking at the PHEV as the electrified version has already been tested with more than 300 horsepower. Even if the quad exhaust system is deceiving, it would be sensible to give the most powerful model a quad exhaust setup.
But where’s the charging port? We can only see the right side of this vehicle, and there is no fuel cap. As with ICE-only Mazdas, the one for gasoline is presumably located on the left side. The charging port for plug-in hybrids (e.g., the ones from Mercedes) is located in the rear bumper. However, this doesn’t appear to be the case.
It’s located either in the grille or on the front-left side fender. Since the camo-free prototype that was spotted in November 2021 did not have it, we are excluding the first scenario. This would make the grille the location where Mazda has concealed the charging port. It’s similar to Genesis with the Electric GV70. We don’t rule out the possibility that this CX-60 could be powered by a gasoline engine.
The CX-60, which is a member of the “Large Product Group”, was announced in October 2021. It will be accompanied by the CX-70 in the United States. Mazda is also developing a larger, three-row CX-80 model for Europe. This will be marketed as the CX-90 in North America. Other than an SUV, other models will be moving to RWD. This includes the next Mazda6.
The new SUVs will also be available as a plug in hybrid, based on a SkyActiv D inline-six. A four-pot PHEV will join the four-cylinder mild-hybrid powertrains. The CX-60 will actually use a 2.5-liter gasoline engine that has four cylinders, and an electric motor to produce more than 300 horsepower.
Mazda plans to electrify its lineup with a range-extending, rotary engine that will be available for the MX-30. A mild-hybrid version of the small electric crossover is available in selected countries with a 2.0-liter gasoline motor.
The CX-60 will debut in March and be available for purchase later in the year in Europe.