The Japanese automaker intends to ride the wave of SUV popularity, which is showing no signs of slowing down
Mazda has confirmed plans to expand its SUV lineup with five all-new models, all of which will be introduced over the next two years between 2022 and 2023.
Let’s start with the CX-50, which belongs in the Small Product group alongside the Mazda3 and CX-30. Not much is known about the crossover at the time of writing, but it is very likely that it will be based on the same platform and offered with the same powertrain choices as those two.
The CX-50 will be a US-exclusive offering, with production set to begin next year in January at the new Mazda-Toyota joint venture factory Mazda Toyota Manufacturing, U.S.A., Inc. (MTMUS) in Huntsville, Alabama. Mazda says the CX-50 will be added as a new core model, so any rumours about it taking over from the CX-5 (main picture) are not true.
Meanwhile, the Large Product group will see the addition of the CX-60 CX-70, CX-80 and CX-90. These models will offer two body types, normal and wide, with a choice of two-row or three-row configurations.
Joining the CX-50 in North America and other select markets where “larger models with a big presence are preferred” will be the CX-70 and CX-90. Both models feature the wide body type, with the former having two rows of seats and the latter having three. On the other hand, the CX-60 and CX-80 are designed specifically for markets with narrower roads and smaller parking lots such as Europe and Japan.
Powertrains
According to Mazda, it plans to electrify all the models it produces by 2030. With this in mind, all Europe-bound models will be offered with plug-in hybrid powertrains featuring straight-four petrol engines combined with an electric motor, alongside the new generation Skyactiv-X petrol and Skyactiv-D straight-six engines with a 48V mild-hybrid system.
Over in the US, the CX-50, CX-70 and CX-90 will get turbocharged straight-six petrol engines and plug-in hybrid powertrains, while in its home market, the automaker will sell a straight-six Skyactiv-D variant with a 48V mild-hybrid system due to its popularity.
With this SUV onslaught, you might be wondering what the future holds for the Mazda6 sedan. Well, if reports are to be believed, the next-generation model will adopt a new platform with a longitudinal engine layout and rear-wheel drive. Although nothing is set in stone yet, the sedan is heavily rumoured to borrow some of the styling traits from the Vision Coupe concept car, with a Skyactiv-X inline-six engine with 48V mild hybrid system under the hood.
MX-30
In other news, Mazda has confirmed that the MX-30 with the rotary engine range-extender will finally arrive in the first half of 2022. The automaker also said it will introduce a new product line that uses an EV-dedicated platform from 2025.
