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The brand’s new CX-80 flagship is poised to rival the BMW X5, Audi Q7 and Mercedes-Benz GLE
Two years ago, Mazda returned to the classic design of cars – rear-wheel drive, and as the first model in the new family was the CX-60 crossover, aimed at the markets of Europe and Asia. Then the Japanese manufacturer promised a total of 4 such models, with the CX-90 and CX-70 appearing in North America. Now the fourth is arriving – the CX-80, which will play the role of the brand’s flagship on the Old Continent and in Asia.
In some markets – such as Australia, for example – Mazda will sell all four models, which will be produced at the same plant in Japan. And while the CX-90 and CX-70 are practically the same car, the CX-60/CX-80 pair uses a different recipe.
The two models for America differ only in the number of seats and exterior decor, but are practically identical, while the new Mazda CX-80 has a different body than its smaller European “brother”. In terms of size, the new SUV is positioned between the CX-60 and CX-70/CX-90 models. Its length is 4995 mm, width – 1890 mm (the same as the CX-60), and height is 1710 mm. At the same time, the wheelbase is the same 3120 mm as that of the American pair (in the CX-60 it is 2870 mm).
The Japanese manufacturer is positioning the CX-80 as a rival to the BMW X5, Audi Q7 and Mercedes-Benz GLE. Like the CX-60, it is built on a platform based on rear-wheel drive with longitudinally mounted engines. And if the smaller of the two “European” SUVs is sold with rear-wheel drive, the more spacious three-row model is only AWD.
Two powertrains will be offered for Europe. The first is a hybrid e-Skyactiv PHEV, which has a four-cylinder naturally aspirated Skyactiv-G 2.5 engine (190 hp, 250 Nm), an electric motor (175 hp, 270 Nm) and a traction battery with a capacity of 17.8 kW /hr. The total power of the system is 327 hp. This is enough for acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.8 seconds. The maximum speed is 195 km/h, and the hybrid can travel up to 63 km in pure electric mode.
The second variant is an in-line six-cylinder turbodiesel Skyactiv-D 3.3 (254 hp, 550 Nm) with a 48-volt starter-generator (16 hp, 153 Nm). The traction battery with a capacity of only 0.33 kWh is located under the front passenger seat. The acceleration time to 100 km/h is 8.4 seconds, the maximum speed is 219 km/h.
A six-cylinder petrol e-Skyactiv G 3.3 turbo engine will also be available in some markets outside the Old Continent. All modifications are equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission, Mazda’s own development. All-wheel drive is with a JTEKT clutch on the front axle, although simple rear-wheel drive only versions will be available in some markets.
The salon of the new Japanese SUV repeats that of the CX-60. All trim levels get tri-zone climate control, a 12.3-inch touchscreen and an instrument cluster of the same size. Other goodies include ventilated front seats, a Bose sound system, 20-inch wheels, and the Kinematic Posture Control (KPC) technology first seen on the Miata.
Customers will be able to choose between two options – with 7 or 6 seats, and in the second case there are two seats in the second row and a central box for armrests. Boot volume is 258 liters when all seats are in use and 687 liters when the third row is folded. If the second row of seats is also folded, the volume reaches 1971 liters.
In Europe, sales of the Mazda CX-80 should begin in September. The prices are already known – in Germany, for example, they start at 51,000 euros (that’s 4,500 euros more than the CX-60), and in France, after the increase in taxes on “unfriendly” cars, prices start at 63,000 euros .
More photos of the new SUV – see in the gallery:
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