Mazda reveals a new SUV range

IT’S ALREADY a well known fact that Mazda plans to expand upmarket with a new rear-wheel-drive platform and straight-six engines, but now the company has gone into more detail about what we can expect on the SUV front.

On Thursday the Japanese carmaker announced that it planned to launch five new SUVs over the next two years, these being the new CX-50, CX-60, CX-70, CX-80 and CX-90.

The CX-50 will be marketed in the US only as part of a joint venture with Toyota, meaning it will likely be based on the latter’s Rav4.

The other four, from CX-60 to CX-90, are under consideration for South Africa, with final announcements set to be made at a later date. These models will form part of Mazda’s “Large Products Group” and will be based around Mazda’s new rear-wheeldrive platform, with varying sizes, tworow or three-row seating, and powertrain options catering for the needs of the specific markets in which they will compete.

The two-row Mazda CX-60 and three-row CX-80 will have a normal body width that’s suitable for markets with narrow roads such as Europe. The two-row CX-70 and three-row CX-90 will have a wide body design aimed at North America and other markets where larger models with a “big presence” are sought after.

As for the powertrains, the European

models will primarily use plug-in hybrid powertrains that pair four-cylinder petrol engines with electric motors. Depending on the market, Mazda will also offer turbocharged straight-six Skyactiv-X petrol and Skyactiv-D diesel motors, paired with 48V mild hybrid technology.

Mazda is also planning to evolve its electric car game.

MAZDA has not released any teaser images of the new SUVs as yet, but this design sketch of the CX-30 could give us an idea of how things are evolving.