The third generation Mazda 6 sedan, well known among us, is about to become history. This model has already been removed from the US and Japanese markets, and production will soon be discontinued altogether. It would seem that Mazda has a suitable rear-wheel drive platform on which the CX-60/CX-80 and CX-70/CX-90 crossovers are built, but they decided not to use it for the development of the new “six”. Instead, the next-generation large passenger car project is farmed out to the Chinese Changan-Mazda joint venture. And at the Beijing Auto Show, a new model called the Mazda EZ-6 debuted.
A characteristic imitation of the radiator grille, headlights and taillights in the corporate style… However, this is where the similarity with real Mazdas ends. Because the EZ-6 is actually a redesigned 2022 Shenlan SL03 liftback. Yes, almost all the outer body panels are new, even the door relief is made less faceted, as is customary with Mazda. However, the power structure and proportions of the five-door body came from a Chinese donor. But there are fashionable frameless doors. Mazda EZ-6 is only slightly larger than the outgoing “six”: length – 4921 mm, width – 1890 mm, height – 1485 mm.
The interior is also brought to the Mazda style with little blood: the front panel, two-spoke steering wheel and central tunnel of the EZ-6 model are original, but in general the furnishings are the same as in the Chinese source. The instrument screen has a diagonal of 10.2 inches, the media system has a 14.6-inch touchscreen, there are almost no individual buttons and knobs left, and the transmission selector is located on the steering column. There is a large panoramic roof and a full set of electronic assistants, and the self-parking system can be controlled by voice from outside the car.
Two versions of the Mazda EZ-6 liftback have been officially announced: this is a pure electric car and a rechargeable hybrid, in which the 1.5 petrol engine is not connected to the wheels and is used only as a generator to recharge the battery. Moreover, in both cases, the driving wheels are rear: thanks to the EPA1 platform from Changan, which was developed for Shenlan brand models and has a spring suspension.
The characteristics of the new Mazda have not yet been announced, but the original Chinese liftback may have a traction electric motor with a power of 218 or 258 hp It is only stated that the electric car will be able to travel 600 km on a single battery charge (according to the CLTC cycle), and the hybrid has a range of more than 1000 km.
In addition to the almost serial EZ-6 liftback, the Mazda Arata conceptual crossover was also shown in Beijing. It too is developed by the Changan Mazda joint venture on the same EPA1 platform and foreshadows a future electric crossover tentatively called the Mazda EZ-60. The donor will most likely be the mid-size Shenlan S7 SUV, but engineers have at least another year to make their model more like a real Mazda: the debut is expected only in mid-2025.
As for the Mazda EZ-6 liftback, its production in China will begin in a few months. Moreover, it is possible that in the future it will enter export markets. After all, Mazda recently registered the designation and logo of the Mazda 6e model with the European Union Patent Office, which clearly hints at the class and electric vehicle essence of the future new product.