Just a few days ago, we echoed the news that Mazda will launch three new electric models by 2025, which will complement the current MX-30, the first zero-emission vehicle from the Hiroshima firm. As readers will remember, by the end of the decade Mazda aims to have 25% of its global sales coming from BEVs (battery electric cars).
However, PHEVs (plug-in hybrids) will also form a very important part of its strategy. Although many of us expected that its first plug-in hybrid would be the anticipated MX-30 with a rotary engine, finally this honor will fall to the new CX-60, a large SUV that will be released on March 8, exactly one month from now.
The Mazda CX-60 PHEV will have a 2.5-cylinder engine (probably the well-known Skyactiv-G that can be found in other company models) associated with an electric drive, with a combined power of over 300 hp. Mazda has not yet revealed any information regarding its battery pack or its autonomy.
The aesthetics of the vehicle, of which the brand has only published a brief preview at the moment, was leaked a few weeks ago, so in broad strokes, we already know what it will be like: an SUV larger than the CX-5 with a design language that, although it will be continuous concerning other proposals of the company, it will bet on a somewhat rougher aspect.
The Mazda CX-60 will have an older brother, the CX-80
It is expected that after the CX-60 Mazda will also launch the CX-80, a fairly similar model that will differ by a somewhat longer length and by having a seven-seater cabin. Since both will be practically identical from a technical point of view, plug-in hybrid versions may also be available.
Taking into account that the CX-60 will be released this year, its big brother will most likely launch sometime in 2023. Both will be key pieces in Mazda’s emissions reduction strategy, which will have to comply with the new community limits in order not to face the large fines stipulated by the European authorities. In other markets, Mazda also plans to launch two more full-size SUVs, the CX-70 and CX-90; however, at the moment there are no plans to bring them to the old continent, as there could be overlaps between them.
