The Mazda 6 has been discontinued in Japan, and although a rear-wheel drive (RWD) inline-6 version is reportedly in the works, the future of the Mazda 6 is rather uncertain, at least outside of China. At the Beijing Motor Show, Mazda unveiled a “successor” to the Mazda 6, known as the Mazda EZ-6 which was jointly developed with Changan Automobile.
The EZ-6 is stunning at first glance and almost encapsulates what a Mazda should be. But it isn’t exactly a Mazda from the ground up as it is built on the Deepal SL03. Deepal is a sub-brand of Changan, and in Southeast Asia, the Mazda EZ-6’s Deepal counterpart is sold in Thailand as the Deepal L07.
Back to the EZ-6, its front end looks like a reasonable evolution from the Mazda 6, and its grille-less front end still mimics the ICE grille of a typical Mazda. Typical EV traits can be seen on the EZ-6 too, like the flush electric door handles and the set of aero wheels which it sits on. It also has a retractable rear wing which is neatly integrated into the overall design of the car.
As for its rear end, the Mazda EZ-6 sports a continuous taillight design, just like the Deepal SL03. A few tweaks have been made to give it the new Mazda look which can be seen on the recent two-digit CX SUVs. It also resembles the rear end of the current-generation saloon Mazda 3.
RELATED: Mazda 6 discontinued in Japan, to end production in April 2024
Mazda hasn’t fully unveiled the specifications of the Mazda EZ-6, but we know it will be rear-wheel drive (RWD). Powertrain options include a fully electric (BEV) powertrain with about 600 km of range and a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain with over 1,000 km of range. Its power figures have not been specified but Mazda promises that the EZ-6 will give you the expected “Jinba Ittai” experience. Part of what contributes to this is the tuned brakes and steering that provide the typical linear response of a Mazda.
Inside, the Mazda EZ-6 deviates from the typical Mazda. There is no rotary control for the head unit, and its head unit screen is perhaps the biggest one ever in a Mazda, as it rivals the size of a screen usually found in a BYD.
It also gets a fully-digital instrument cluster and it doesn’t get the usual knee cushion. It is not just a departure from the typical ICE Mazda, as it doesn’t even follow in the footsteps of the Mazda MX-30 in terms of cabin ambiance. To top it all off, the EZ-6 has a huge glass roof that is not equipped with a sunshade.
At the moment it appears that the EZ-6 will be a China-only model as Mazda states that it [the Mazda EZ-6] is a response to “a wide range of customer needs and preferences in China.” Do you think it is a worthy successor to the flagship saloon from Mazda? And should Mazda bring this to Malaysia?
RELATED: Next-gen Mazda 6 to get RWD, inline-six mild-hybrid powertrain?
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