Mazda has taken shy steps towards electrification so far, but it’s ready to take things to a new level by inaugurating its rear-wheel-drive platform. It will come along with inline-six gasoline and diesel engines, which will serve as the foundation for plug-in hybrid powertrains that will be used for an assortment of new SUVs arriving from 2022.
Mainly targeting North America, the CX-70 and CX-90 will adopt two- and three-row seating, respectively, and will feature wider bodies for more interior room. This makes sense as roads in the United States are typically wider than just about anywhere around the world. In markets such as Europe and Japan, Mazda will launch CX-60 and CX-80 SUVs featuring narrower bodies and the same choice between two and three rows of seats.
These models are part of what the Japanese marque refers to as the Large Product Group, and depending on the market, will come in a PHEV configuration based around gasoline and diesel engines. These are all-new developments, with straight-six Skyactiv-X and Skyactiv-D engine, which will also be available with a 48V mild hybrid system.
Not only that, but Mazda has also developed a separate plug-in hybrid setup with a smaller four-cylinder gasoline engine combined with an electric motor. The more powerful PHEV configurations are going to be available in the United States where customers prioritize performance while Europeans will get the more fuel-efficient versions in line with the more stringent emissions regulations.
All four large SUVs will be launched by the end of 2023 and will be followed two years later by a wave of dedicated electric vehicles built on a bespoke platform. By the end of the decade, Mazda aims to electrify its entire lineup, which can only mean the iconic MX-5 Miata roadster will also embrace a hybrid setup at the very least.
Source: Mazda
