2026 Mazda 6e: Tesla Model 3 rival spied in Australia ahead of local launch

The Mazda 6e is yet to be officially confirmed for Australian release, but the presence of a right-hand drive example on the streets of Melbourne suggests this is a fait accompli.

Images shared on the Mazda6 Club Australia group on Facebook, show a camouflaged example of the Chinese-built mid-size electric liftback wearing Victorian number plates.

The 6e, as the EZ-6 is known outside of China, has already been confirmed for right-hand drive production. It’ll go on sale in Thailand later this year, and in the UK market in 2026.

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“At this stage, the only one we’re building a business case for, because it’s available in right-hand drive, is the Mazda 6e, and we’re only doing a business case,” Mazda Australia managing director Vinesh Bhindi told Australian media earlier this year, stressing a local launch wasn’t a foregone conclusion.

“Australia offers the most amount of models, as many as we can – when you look at the global portfolio, we offer the most [of any market globally] – so we don’t want to abandon that strategy.

“[And] I think if the government is really determined to reduce our carbon footprint from Australia, I can only expect they will go stronger and harder towards battery electric-powered cars.

“Mazda will offer it if we can.”

Mr Bhindi confirmed Mazda was looking only at a business case for the electric version, not the extended-range electric (EREV) version offered in China.

“We’re building a business case for EV, and if that then allows us to bring the car in and potentially expand, then we can always look at that,” said Mr Bhindi.

Should the 6e come here, it will once again give Mazda an EV in Australia, and also give the brand a replacement for the Mazda 6 axed this year.

It will also give Mazda Australia its first Chinese-built model. Most Mazdas sold here hail from Japan or Thailand.

Launched in China in 2024, the EZ-6/6e is based on the Deepal L07 from Chinese automaker Changan, with which Mazda has a joint venture, and shares the same EPA1 platform as the Deepal S07 sold here.

It measures around 50mm longer and 50mm wider than the defunct Mazda 6 sedan.

The 6e is being offered in Europe with a single-motor rear-wheel drive electric powertrain producing 190kW of power and 320Nm of torque.

The standard 68.8kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery can be charged at up to 165kW, and offers 479km of range under the WLTP cycle.

The larger 80kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery can only support 90kW DC fast-charging, but offers 552km of range. With this battery, the electric motor’s power output drops slightly to 180kW.

Energy consumption is essentially identical with either battery specified, with figures of 16.6kWh/100km and 16.5kWh/100km, respectively.

All 6e models feature a 400V electrical system.

The Chinese-market EZ-6’s EREV powertrain features a 1.5-litre petrol engine that sends power not to the wheels but rather the 18.9kWh or 28.4kWh lithium iron phosphate battery, which in turn powers the 160kW/320Nm electric motor.

Claimed electric-only range is between 130km and 200km on the CLTC cycle.

In European markets such as Germany, the 6e is offered only in well-specified Takumi or Takumi Plus grades.

Both come standard with 19-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic glass roof, 14.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, and heated, ventilated and power-adjustable front seats.

The Takumi Plus adds a tan interior, Nappa leather upholstery, and a power sunblind.

Above: Mazda EZ-60

While the 6e has been confirmed for RHD production, the EZ-60 electric SUV – another Chinese Mazda, which was revealed at this year’s Shanghai show – hasn’t yet.

“At the moment, the vehicle’s only available for the China market, but we’re really excited with the direction of the design and technology,” said Daniel Wakelim, Mazda Australia national manager of product and business strategy.

The EZ-60 is expected to be exported from China under the CX-6e nameplate.

Mazda isn’t just leaning on Changan for EV development, however.

In addition to two new models it’s considering developing with the Chinese automaker and launching between 2028 and 2030, it’s launching its first completely in-house EV on a dedicated EV platform in 2027.

MORE: Mazda eyes more Chinese-developed EVs