Mazda EZ-6 electric saloon to come to Europe after all

Mazda’s EZ-6, considered an electric successor to the six saloon, will finally go on sale as a global model. The Changan-developed model was initially only meant for the Chinese market, but Mazda is also looking to expand its electric offering in Europe.

The Japanese manufacturer has not fully developed the Mazda EZ-6. Mazda solicited the help of Changan Automobile, which already produces Mazda cars for the Chinese market and works with Ford. The EZ-6 is based on Changan’s Deepal SL03, launched in 2022. It features an all-electric drivetrain and a range-extended version.

Mazda design, Changan platform

The design, however, is reminiscent of the old Mazda 6, which was recently discontinued. Mazda’s latest models typically have sharp headlights, a pentagonal grille, and a long hood. The profile is a little higher than that of a traditional saloon, likely due to the space required in the underbody for the battery pack.

The exact specifications of the Mazda EZ-6 are still unknown. The model is to go on sale in the Fall of 2024, first in China, followed by Europe, which the Japanese brand officially confirmed this week.

Fully-electric or range-extended

If Mazda chooses to retain the Deepal SL03’s powertrains, it will feature a 163 kW (221 hp) electric motor with a 58.1 kWh LFP battery or a 79.97 kWh NMC battery, with a CLTC range of 515 to 705 km. The extended-range version features a 1.5-liter gasoline engine and an 18.99 or 28.39 kWh battery, with a total range of up to 1,200 km.

Other features include ‘Level 2.5’ autonomous driving, a Qualcomm SA8155P chip for the infotainment system (which was first introduced in 2021, so it is not the most recent automotive chip), and a large central infotainment tablet, different from the slim infotainment screens that Mazda’s ‘own’ models use.

It remains to be seen if the Mazda EZ-6 will prove to be competitive in Europe or if it is a case of ‘too little, too late.’ Depending on the price point, it should be more popular than the MX-30, which suffers from an unusual body style and a WLTP range of only 200 km, or 650 km in the case of the range-extended R-EV, which uses a lot of fuel.