2024 Mazda EZ-6 electric car to take on Tesla Model 3, not for Australia yet
25/04/2024 05:37
Mazda has re-entered the electric-car race in China with a sleek new sedan. But it is another Chinese brand’s car underneath – and it is not expected to reach Australia, at least for the time being.
Japanese car giant Mazda has unveiled its third-ever production electric vehicle – the EZ-6 – a mid-size sedan pitched at the Tesla Model 3 and BYD Seal.
However it is heavily based on the Deepal SL03, a mid-size electric car sold by Mazda’s joint-venture partner in China, local car maker Changan – and it is not Mazda’s work from the ground up.
It is expected to be exclusive to the Chinese market – at least for the time being – so it is unlikely to be built in right-hand drive for sale in Australia.
A spokesperson for Mazda Australia told Drive they “can’t comment on any future local model plans”.
The Japanese car giant has been slow to roll out electric cars, offering only two to date – including the MX-30 Electric, which was axed in Australia last year after slow sales due to a high price and limited driving range.
It has announced plans for a wave of new electric cars for global markets in the second half of the decade, based on its own in-house-designed underpinnings.
But to avoid losing any more ground in China – where hybrid and electric cars are top sellers, led by the likes of BYD – Mazda looks to have taken a shortcut with the help of its Chinese partner to get a Tesla rival in showrooms.
The new EZ-6 serves as the electric successor to the Mazda 6 sedan, which has been discontinued in China – as well as the US, Europe and Japan – but remains available in Australia for the time being.
It is expected to be offered with electric or range-extender hybrid drivetrains, and is expected to be followed by a related SUV model known as the EZ-60, which has been previewed by an ‘Arata’ concept at the Beijing motor show where the EZ-6 was unveiled today.
Previous spy photos suggested the EZ-6 would be a simple rebadge of the Deepal SL03 from Changan (below) – with Mazda-style tail-lights – however the images of the final vehicle show differences will be greater in number.
The body structure looks to be the same as the Changan, but the Mazda wears a unique front fascia with a closed-off version of the company’s familiar front grille design.
There are slimmer Mazda-esque headlights, new tail-lights, unique doors, as well as different rear window pillars with side trim similar to a CX-90, which has necessitated a new bonnet, front and rear wheel-arch panels, door panels and side skirts.
Inside, the 14.6-inch infotainment touchscreen and 10.2-inch instrument display appear to be shared with the Deepal, but there is a new dashboard with Mazda-style air vents, a new centre console, and a different steering wheel closer in design to Australian-market Mazdas.
Mazda has reskinned the software on the dual interior displays to mirror its in-house models, while the vehicle shown in these images has tan and black leather-look upholstery.
Specifications are expected to be confirmed imminently – alongside the release of higher-resolution images – however the Deepal version measures 4820mm long, 1890mm wide and 1480mm tall, on a 2900mm wheelbase.
It would make the new EZ-6 about 45mm shorter bumper to bumper than the current Mazda 6, but 50mm wider, 30mm taller and 70mm longer between the wheels.
Powering the electric Deepal SL03 is a choice of 58.9kWh or 66.8kWh battery packs good for 530km and 610km of claimed driving range respectively, based on lenient Chinese CLTC testing.
They send energy to 160kW/320Nm or 190kW/320Nm rear-mounted electric motors, for 0-100km/h acceleration times of 6.9 and 6.2 seconds respectively.
Meanwhile, the range-extender version of the Deepal combines a 1.5-litre petrol engine with 19kWh or 28.4kWh batteries, and 175kW/320Nm or 160kW/320Nm electric motors powering the rear wheels.
The smaller-battery version is claimed to be capable of 135km on electric power alone, and 1140km in hybrid mode – while the large-battery model ups both figures to 200km and 1200km respectively.
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