Mazda 6e: Mid-size EV edges closer to Australian launch

Mazda has now revealed two electric vehicles (EVs) developed with its Chinese joint venture partner Changan, but neither has been locked in for an Australian launch just yet.

The Japanese automaker revealed the EZ-6 mid-size liftback at the 2024 Shanghai motor show, with the export version – badged 6e – debuting in Brussels earlier this year when it was also confirmed for right-hand drive.

The EZ-60 mid-size electric SUV was subsequently revealed at this year’s Shanghai motor show.

“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,” confirmed Mazda Australia managing director Vinesh Bhindi to Australian media, stressing it wasn’t a foregone conclusion.

Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.

“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.”

The 6e is launching in the UK market in 2026. It’s also set to be offered in Thailand, another RHD market.

“We’re looking at EV as a business case at this stage,” said Mr Bhindi when asked whether Mazda Australia was looking at just the EV or the extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) version also 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.”

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.

The 6e is around 50mm longer and 50mm wider than the Mazda 6 sedan, which along with its wagon counterpart was recently discontinued in Australia.

It’s 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.

In European markets such as Germany, the 6e is offered in either 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.

While the 6e has been confirmed for RHD, the EZ-60 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.

“It would probably sit in the large SUV segment if we were to bring it to Australia.”

While the EZ-60 electric SUV was revealed at this year’s Shanghai show, Mazda has stopped short of releasing full specifications.

A Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) filing shared by Car News China, however, has revealed the two-row EZ-60 SUV measures 4850mm long, 1935mm wide and 1620mm tall on a 2902mm wheelbase.

That makes it 58mm longer than a Tesla Model Y on a 12mm longer wheelbase.

The electric version has an LFP battery and a 190kW rear-mounted electric motor, while the EREV version mates a 72kW 1.5-litre engine with a 190kW electric motor and a 31.73kWh LFP battery for 160km of electric-only range.

Mazda Australia has only offered one EV before, with a battery-powered version of the MX-30.

The slow-selling model was axed in 2023, and was recently discontinued in the UK and Europe as well.