Mazda has confirmed that its new upmarket CX-60 SUV will be powered exclusively by a range of hybrid engines.

Due in the first half of 2023, the CX-60 is a new addition to the Japanese car maker’s range and will be positioned as a more expensive sports-luxury alternative to the brand’s existing CX-5 model.

Leading the hybrid engine charge will be the Japanese car maker’s first production plug-in hybrid model, using a 2.5-litre inline four-cylinder engine mated to a 100kW electric motor and 355V, 17.8 kWh high-capacity lithium-ion battery.

Mazda claims combined system output of the new powertrain of 241kW and 500Nm, making it the most powerful Mazda road car ever produced.

Also making their debut on the CX-60 will be two newly developed straight-six engines featuring Mazda’s 48V mild hybrid system, dubbed M Hybrid Boost.

Mild hybrid technology is becoming increasingly prevalent as car makers strive to reduce the fuel consumption and emissions of their internal combustion engine (ICE) powered models.

Unlike a regular hybrid, the electric motor in a mild hybrid does not power the vehicle independently of the ICE but instead assists the combustion engine at times of heavy load, such as when accelerating, which leads to improvements in fuel consumption and emissions.   

The first of these two new straight-six engines, Mazda’s mild hybrid 3.3-litre e-Skyactiv D turbodiesel, produces a healthy 187kW at 3,750rpm and a substantial 550Nm of torque between 1,500 and 2,400rpm, which should provide excellent tractability and good fuel consumption.   

The other mild hybrid engine for the CX-60 is a more performance-oriented turbocharged petrol unit, again with a 3.3-litre capacity, but delivering a punchier 209kW between 5,000rpm and 6,000rpm and still-solid 450Nm of torque from 2,000 to 3,500rpm.

Each powertrain employs Mazda’s rear-biased i-Activ all-wheel drive system and a new eight-speed automatic transmission, which utilises a multi-plate clutch with an integrated electric motor/generator for fast, responsive shifts and high efficiency.

The CX-60 will be available in three model grades – Evolve, GT and flagship Azami – featuring alloy wheel sizes ranging from 18 to 20 inches.

All three grades will boast standard equipment including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charging, a powered tailgate, exterior powered mirrors with auto-folding, heating and auto-dimming function and advanced keyless entry.  

Mazda Australia Managing Director Vinesh Bhindi said the CX-60 represented a new chapter for Mazda and introduced a series of firsts for the brand – an all-new platform, full plug-in hybrid technology, rear-biased all-wheel drive and state-of-the-art longitudinal powerplants.

“All of this is wrapped in our beautifully restrained Kodo Design evolution and as we draw closer to the local introduction of this authentically premium vehicle, the 14,500-plus expressions of interest we have received are a clear indication of the level of anticipation that already surrounds Mazda CX-60.” Mr Bhindi said.

The CX-60 is the first of a wave of new upmarket Mazdas expected to land here in the next year or two, with other models under consideration including the CX-70, CX-80, and CX-90.

There is also a smaller CX-50, similar in size to the Mazda3 and CX-30, but it’s unlikely to come here due to being manufactured in left-hand drive only at this stage.

The two-row CX-60 and three-row CX-80 SUVs were originally described by Mazda as being designed for markets with narrower roads and smaller parking lots such as Europe and Japan, but Mazda Australia obviously likes what it sees with the CX-60.

The CX-70 and CX-90 are wider-bodied models offering two and three rows of seats respectively and have been primarily designed for the North American market where larger models are preferred.

It’s not clear at this stage which models other than the CX-60 will make it to Australia but a Mazda Australia spokesperson had previously said the CX-70, CX-80 and CX-90 were all being considered.

Full specifications and pricing for the Mazda CX-60 range is yet to be confirmed but some media outlets have speculated pricing will start above $60,000, placing it in competition with the likes of the Lexus NX and Genesis GV70.

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