Mazda has just announced its next product offence, listing up to five new models with production to begin as soon as January 2022.
Of the five new models announced, only one model is placed under the ‘Small Product’ category. To be built at the Mazda-Toyota Manufacturing USA (MTMUS) joint-venture plant, the upcoming Mazda CX-50 available only in the Americas could have underpinnings of the recently launched Toyota Corolla Cross that is also being built at MTMUS.
The next four models however will be next-generation, all-new models. Following the introduction of the Mazda CX-50, the company will roll out two 2-row and two 3-row models. Against the norm, Mazda will then manufacture another two widths out of the two SUVs.
The proposed Mazda CX-60 will be a standard width two-row SUV, focusing on markets that are kinder to more compact dimensions such as Europe and Japan. The CX-70 meanwhile will have a wider body as it targets the North American market, where larger models with a big presence is preferred.
The new Mazda CX-80 and CX-90 will be larger three-row SUVs, and the latter will be again featuring the wider body strategy. The new Mazda CX-90 will also replace the current-generation Mazda CX-9 as Mazda USA’s representative for three-row SUV.
These four new SUVs will be underpinned by the next-generation Mazda large product platform that whets the appetites of enthusiasts. The powertrain allocated to these large models is a turbocharged straight-six engine (petrol or diesel fuel depending on markets) paired with either a 48-volt mild-hybrid system or plug-in hybrid system. Placing it longitudinally means the drive is to the rear wheels like equivalent BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi SUVs. The popular Lexus RX model is still predominantly a front-wheel drive SUV.
RWD, plug-in hybrid Straight-six, mild-hybrid
With the announcement of these new models, the revised model naming nomenclature finally takes off too, where Mazda decided to oddly name their Mazda 3-based crossover/SUV as the Mazda CX-30. It was the first model to bear the double-digit model naming, which at that time in early 2019, Mazda said was to allow the brand to expand its crossover and SUV portfolio and not limited to just CX-1 to CX-9 model naming.
Mazda also took the opportunity to update their progress on the return of the rotary engine. It will be fitted in the Mazda MX-30, in a form of a range-extending generator from the first half of 2022. From 2025, the company begins offering products with a dedicated EV platform and from 2030, all models from the Hiroshima-based carmaker will be electrified.
