The Mazda6 has long been overdue a replacement: the current generation of the still highly appealing Japanese saloon was introduced in 2012. It remains in production, although it has gradually been withdrawn from several markets in recent years, including North America, Japan and Portugal.
At last, Mazda appears to have provided an answer to the question of a successor. It is not, however, the answer many people expected. This is neither the production version of the stunning Vision Coupe nor a model based on the rear-wheel-drive platform used by the CX-60 and new CX-80.
It is still a saloon, but one that will be fully electric - and it is not entirely unfamiliar. First revealed at last April’s Beijing Motor Show, it is the Mazda EZ-6.
Contrary to what had been assumed at the time, the new EZ-6 will not be limited to China. It will be marketed globally, with Europe set to be the first region to receive it from next autumn.
The EZ-6’s arrival in further markets has been made possible by the agreement between Mazda and Chinese manufacturer Chongqing Changan Automobile. The two carmakers have operated their Mazda Changan joint venture since 2012. This company developed the EZ-6 from the Deepal SL03, a model from one of the Chinese group’s brands.
Similar, yet distinct
The similarities between the two cars are easy to spot - their proportions and cabin volume, among other details - but Mazda’s designers deserve credit for giving the EZ-6 a distinct visual identity, both outside and in the cabin.
This is evident not only at the front, defined by a generously sized grille and slim, geometric light clusters, but also in the surfacing, particularly along the sides, which aligns with the acclaimed Kodo design language. Inside, the overall architecture mirrors that of the SL03, yet, as with the exterior, it has been altered sufficiently to be recognisably Mazda.
The photographs conceal the substantial dimensions of this new saloon rather well. It is larger than the Mazda6 in every direction, measuring more than 4.9 m long (4.92 m), 1.89 m wide and 1.485 m tall. Its wheelbase is 2.9 m.
The Mazda EZ-6 therefore targets the heart of the D-segment electric saloon market: the Tesla Model 3, Hyundai IONIQ 6, Volkswagen ID.7 and BYD Seal, as well as premium-segment rivals such as the Polestar 2 and BMW i4.
Fully electric Mazda EZ-6 confirmed, but no range extender
Developed by Changan, the Mazda EZ-6’s EPA platform can accommodate a fully electric powertrain or, alternatively, a range extender using an internal-combustion engine, as in the Mazda MX-30 R-EV. In this instance, though, the range extender is a 1.5-litre inline four-cylinder engine rather than a Wankel unit.
For Europe, only the fully electric version has been confirmed so far. The other variant is, for now, confirmed solely for China, where sales of this type of powertrain have risen significantly this year.
European-market final specifications have yet to be disclosed, but it is reasonable to expect the car to inherit the Deepal SL03’s powertrain. This fully electric saloon should therefore feature a rear-axle-mounted motor, providing rear-wheel drive, with 163 kW (221 hp) and 320 Nm of torque.
Two battery packs are available: a 58.9 kWh unit using LFP chemistry and a 66.8 kWh NMC unit, both supplied by CATL. In the SL03, their respective ranges are 530 km and 610 km under the Chinese CLTC cycle. Mazda has said that the EZ-6 will offer a range close to 600 km (CLTC), which points to the larger-capacity battery being used.
Mazda also promises that the EZ-6 will deliver the driving experience and dynamic behaviour expected from the brand. Its dynamic tuning was carried out by Mazda’s Research and Development centre in Europe.
What about the tariffs?
The new Mazda EZ-6 is scheduled to reach Europe next autumn. Since it is built in China, it will be subject to the European Union’s provisional import tariffs. For Chongqing Changan Automobile, the tariff stands at 20.8%, to which the standard 10% customs duty must also be added.
How this will affect the Mazda EZ-6’s price remains to be seen.
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