Mazda has officially revealed the new CX-60 SUV, ahead of an Australian market launch later in 2022.
The new, more upmarket crossover will arrive in the closing stages of 2022, with pricing and specifications to be announced closer to launch.
Headlining the CX-60’s engine line-up will be Mazda’s first plug-in hybrid (PHEV). It combines a 2.5-litre petrol engine making 141kW and 261Nm, with an electric motor making 100kW and 250Nm, and a 17.8kWh lithium-ion battery pack.
It produces a total system output of 241kW, rather than the 223kW quoted in its previous teaser, and a combined torque figure of 500Nm. It’s the most powerful road car the brand has ever produced.
This announcement dispels talk the CX-60 would feature a version of the 2.5-litre PHEV drivetrain from the Toyota RAV4 Prime and Lexus NX450h+.
Zero to 100km/h takes a claimed 5.8 seconds, with top speed limited to 200km/h.
What really matters for a PHEV, however, is fuel consumption. The CX-60 plug-in hybrid has a 1.5-1.6L/100km combined fuel use claim on the WLTP test cycle, with CO2 emissions rated at 33-37g/km.
The 17.8kWh battery offers 60km of electric range at speeds up to 100km/h. Mazda claims the battery can be charged in 4 hours using a normal 240V socket. Mazda says the CX-60 PHEV will be rated to tow up to 2500kg.
Beyond the Europe-friendly PHEV, there will also be 3.0-litre e-Skyactiv X petrol and 3.3-litre e-Skyactiv D diesel engines, both inline six-cylinder units and featuring 48V mild-hybrid assistance.
Outputs and performance figures for the inline-six models are yet to be detailed, but Mazda has confirmed the turbo-diesel’s MHEV setup offers an M Hybrid Boost function, supporting the engine under load via a small electric motor.
Interestingly, the 3.0-litre e-Skyactiv X petrol engine does without turbocharging. Mazda claims developments from its Skyactiv X compression-ignition technology as well as the larger engine capacity removes the need for a turbo.
Mazda hasn’t quoted fuel consumption figures for either six-cylinder powertrain either, but claims the petrol “achieves the same fuel economy as the four-cylinder e-Skyactiv X engine” through enhanced lean combustion technology. We’ll have to wait and see on that one.
All CX-60 engine variants will be equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission, which features a multi-plate clutch and integrated electric motor/generator in place of a hydraulic converter as an input clutch.
Full-time all-wheel drive is provided by a new system developed for Mazda’s first “cross-platform” (see: modular) longitudinal platform, which uses an electronically-controlled multi-plate clutch. Mazda says the tech “preserves the neutral cornering performance characteristics of a rear-wheel drive system but balances it with the stability of AWD”.
Also new are the CX-60’s Mi-Drive adjustable drive modes, which tailor the drivetrain, driver controls and electronic aids to suit driving conditions and/or driver preference. Normal, Sport, Off-Road, Towing and EV (PHEV only) are named, and they’re all pretty self-explanatory.
The CX-60 will also feature Mazda’s Kinematic Posture Control technology, which brakes the inside rear wheel when cornering to “mitigate roll and draw the car body downwards”. The system was recently introduced on the MX-5 sports car, bolstering the existing G-Vectoring Control Plus which performs a similar function on the front axle.
Under the skin is a double-wishbone front suspension with control arms top and bottom, as well as a multi-link rear design.
As it has with recent all-new model launches, Mazda says it’s gone to great length to enhance the CX-60’s comfort, refinement and dynamic abilities through a range of methods. The company has fine-tuned elements such as the body structure, seats, suspension, steering and sound insulation to ensure an engaging and luxurious drive experience.
Inside, headline features (in Europe, at least) will include a 12.3-inch Mazda Connect infotainment system supporting touchscreen functionality, wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto, with an available 12-speaker Bose premium audio system. Drivers will be faced by a fully digital 12.3-inch TFT-LCD instrument cluster and a projecting head-up display, too.
Measuring 4745mm long, 1890mm wide and 1680-1685mm tall with a 2870mm wheelbase, the CX-60 is 37mm longer than a BMW X3, though 1mm skinnier in width, and boasts an extra 6mm in wheelbase. It’s also 133mm shorter in length and 94mm skinnier than a Volkswagen Touareg, with a 24mm shorter wheelbase.
The CX-60 e-Skyactiv PHEV offers 477L of cargo capacity with all seats up to the belt line, though adding the underfloor storage compartment brings the figure to 570 litres. Drop the rear seats, and there’s 1725L of capacity including underfloor storage, measured to the ceiling.
In plug-in hybrid guise the CX-60 weighs in between 1980kg and 2072kg (kerb) depending on specification. The PHEV will offer 18-inch and 20-inch alloy wheel options in Europe, shod in 235/60 and 235/50-profile rubber respectively.
347mm front and 328mm rear brake discs are fitted to the plug-in – both sets ventilated – and the fuel tank measures 50 litres.
As for safety, Mazda says it’s targeting a five-star Euro NCAP rating. The CX-60 will debut several new safety technologies, some of which are developments of existing systems.
The headline act is See-Through View, which is an extension of the 360-degree camera that creates an image of the front and rear corners of the vehicle, allowing the driver to more easily spot objects obscured by the vehicle’s body.
Other new features include hill descent control, a speed limit assist feature for the adaptive cruise control using traffic sign recognition, and Vehicle Exit Warning that detects approaching road users when opening doors.
Rounding out the safety suite will be technologies like autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian/cyclist detection, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, rear emergency brake assist with pedestrian detection, traffic sign recognition and driver drowsiness detection.
Order books for the Mazda CX-60 open in Europe from March 8, with sales scheduled to commence in the region mid-year. The Japanese-spec model will be introduced in early April, with production to commence at the brand’s Yamaguchi-based Hofu Plant No. 2.
Stay tuned to CarExpert for all the latest CX-60 news in the lead-up to its Australian market launch later this year.
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