The new CX-60 is the Japanese brand’s first plug-in hybrid, the most powerful model in the range and a clear premium positioning.
Mazda’s largest SUV to date is also the Japanese brand’s first plug-in hybrid – after all, with an electric range of 60 kilometers.
In principle, even Mazda cannot ignore the electrification of the automobile. But the Japanese manufacturer is very cautious. “By 2030, every series in our model range will be electrified,” said Matthias Walker at the presentation of the new mid-size SUV CX-60.
But the Managing Director of Mazda Switzerland emphasized that the focus is far from being purely on battery electric vehicles (BEV). This year alone, Mazda is introducing three drive technology variants: the full hybrid in the Mazda 2 at the beginning of the year, now the first plug-in hybrids (PHEV) and later in the year a range extender based on the Wankel engine for the MX-30, the brand’s only BEV to date.
The big engines are yet to come
In the near future, two in-line six-cylinders for the CX-60 should also underline that Hiroshima is not yet writing off the combustion engine. A petrol engine with 3.0 and a diesel with 3.3 liter displacement demonstrate that the CX-60 is aimed at premium customers who want to be confidently motorized over long distances. The petrol engine is planned to be launched in 2023, but the diesel will not come onto the market until the 2024 model year.
In the CX-60, an economical four-cylinder works with electrical support.
Until then, the CX-60 should conquer new customers. 150 Swiss have already ordered the 4.74 meter long SUV without having seen it or even driven it. Overall, Walker expects the CX-60 to find around 500 buyers this year. This would continue the positive business development of the post-Covid period. In the entire year 2021, Mazda Switzerland sold 4488 units, in the first quarter of 2022 it was 1192 – with a still stuttering market, which means an increase in market share from 1.9 to 2.2 percent.
With the CX-60, Mazda continues to focus on the booming SUV segment – in this case the upper middle class. With its 4.74 meters, the CX-60 moves slightly above the Audi Q5 or BMW X3 and is almost 20 centimeters longer than the in-house competitor CX-5. Under the tailgate is a trunk with 570 liters of cargo volume (including storage compartment under the floor), which can be expanded to over 1700 liters by folding the rear seats in a 40:20:40 ratio. Visually, the CX-60 fits seamlessly into the Mazda Kodo design language, which was introduced in 2010 and is intended to represent the “heartbeat” or “soul of the movement” with flowing lines.
Inside, high-quality and well-made materials such as leather, maple wood, Japanese fabrics or chrome await the driver. The digital instruments on the 12.3-inch dashboard display have a classic design, the 12.3-inch, wide infotainment screen can be operated by touch or an elegant rotary pushbutton, and there is a head-up display as an additional display.
Typical for Mazda is the calm design of the interior, enriched with a wide touchscreen and a head-up display.
Automatic seat adjustment via AI
When the driver sits down for the first time, the system asks for his height to be entered. A push of a button and the seat and mirror move into the right position – or what the artificial intelligence thinks is the right position. Corrections can be made using the adjustment buttons, and then all you have to do is turn your head from left to right and back again for the interior camera to scan your face – and thus save who the optimal seat position will be automatically set for when entering the vehicle in the future. An assistance function that pleases everyone who shares their car with drivers who prefer significantly different seating positions.
For the drive in the CX-60, Mazda relies on the combination of a 2.5-liter in-line four-cylinder with 191 hp, which receives active support from an almost equally powerful (129 kW/175 hp) electric motor. It is supplied with energy by an almost 18 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery and drives the CX-60 forward quite quickly despite the approximately two tons of unladen weight. The Mazda drives purely electrically up to 140, with combustion support, the propulsion ends at 200 km/h.
The front of the vehicle differs from other Mazda models in that the daytime running lights reach into the front grille.
The standard specification promises a good 60 kilometers of electric range, and that is quite feasible, as the first test drives showed. If more power is required, the combustion engine switches on audibly. The electric motor sits directly on the input shaft of the eight-speed gearbox. This does without a converter, but works with a multi-disc wet clutch. The all-wheel drive normally mainly serves the rear wheels and only directs the drive forces to the front when the driving situation and surface require it. All of this happens unspectacularly in the CX-60, although 500 Newton meters of system performance also enable sporty driving. The Mazda circumnavigates corners precisely and then only starts to understeer if you overdo it with the two-ton truck. The body roll is limited, the steering is precise.
Price list starts at 58,950 francs
The first CX-60 should arrive at dealers and customers in Switzerland in September. The well-equipped Prime Line starts at 58,950 francs, the Exclusive Line rolls on 20-inch wheels and also offers a heated steering wheel and seats, keyless entry and head-up display at a price of 60,450 francs. The Homura line has a more sporty ambience with black leather, 360-degree view or driving position assistant for 62,750 francs, Takumi for 64,150 francs focuses on elegance and offers white nappa leather in addition to the assistant.
