Photo: Baldauf
Mazda recently announced that it's discontinuing the CX-9 for North America, a midsizer with three-row seats that features the front-biased platform introduced by the CX-5. Its place in the lineup will be taken by the CX-90, which rides on Mazda's new architecture for large vehicles. The platform is also shared by the CX-60 for Europe, which is going to spawn a three-row sibling in the form of the CX-80.
Spied with German plates in Germany, the CX-80 appears to be ready for production. Every single panel, trim piece, and light is the real thing, and everything looks eerily similar to the CX-60 mentioned earlier.
Pictured on black-painted wheels mounted with Goodyear tires, the camouflaged prototype features a fuel door on the left rear fender and another one on the right. Care to guess what the right door is for? Of course, Mazda is testing the plug-in hybrid 2.5L powertrain.
There are, however, minor differences between European and North American models based on the large platform. For starters, width: the CX-60 measures 1,890 millimeters (74.4 inches) compared to 1,994 millimeters (78.5 inches) for the CX-90. Dimensional differences further include the front and rear tracks: 1,704 and 1,707 millimeters (67.1 and 67.2 inches) for the CX-90 compared to 1,640 and 1,645 millimeters (64.6 and 64.8 millimeters) for the two-row CX-60.
We also have to remember that prospective customers are presented with not one, but two inline-six turbo diesels in Europe, powertrains that aren't coming to the United States anytime soon, if ever. The e-Skyactiv D also happens to be rear-wheel drive compared to the AWD-only CX-90 I6 turbo and I4 plug-in hybrid.
To be sold in Australia and back home in Japan as well, the CX-80 likely spells the end of the CX-8 crossover. Think of it as the CX-9's brother, a three-row utility vehicle for Japan, Oceania, China, and a handful other Asian markets. The CX-8 and CX-9 replace Mazda's long-discontinued Premacy and Biante minivans.
In regard to powertrains, the plug-in hybrid may outsell the diesel in the Old Continent. Its electric motor is built into the eight-speed transmission (compared to six for the front-biased CX-9 and CX-8), cranking out 100 kW or 134 horsepower on full song. As for total system output, make that 323 horsepower at 6,000 revolutions per minute and 369 pound-feet (500 Nm) at 1,500 revolutions per minute. Not bad for a 2.5L naturally-aspirated engine, isn't it? As for electric range, the WLTP estimate is 39 miles (63 kilometers).
For the diesel crowd, e-Skyactiv D means mild hybrid rather than plug-in hybrid. The 3.3-liter engine produces either 197 hp and 332 pound-feet (450 Nm) with rear-wheel drive or 251 hp and 406 pound-feet (550 Nm) with Mazda's i-Activ all-wheel-drive system.
Pictured on black-painted wheels mounted with Goodyear tires, the camouflaged prototype features a fuel door on the left rear fender and another one on the right. Care to guess what the right door is for? Of course, Mazda is testing the plug-in hybrid 2.5L powertrain.
There are, however, minor differences between European and North American models based on the large platform. For starters, width: the CX-60 measures 1,890 millimeters (74.4 inches) compared to 1,994 millimeters (78.5 inches) for the CX-90. Dimensional differences further include the front and rear tracks: 1,704 and 1,707 millimeters (67.1 and 67.2 inches) for the CX-90 compared to 1,640 and 1,645 millimeters (64.6 and 64.8 millimeters) for the two-row CX-60.
We also have to remember that prospective customers are presented with not one, but two inline-six turbo diesels in Europe, powertrains that aren't coming to the United States anytime soon, if ever. The e-Skyactiv D also happens to be rear-wheel drive compared to the AWD-only CX-90 I6 turbo and I4 plug-in hybrid.
To be sold in Australia and back home in Japan as well, the CX-80 likely spells the end of the CX-8 crossover. Think of it as the CX-9's brother, a three-row utility vehicle for Japan, Oceania, China, and a handful other Asian markets. The CX-8 and CX-9 replace Mazda's long-discontinued Premacy and Biante minivans.
In regard to powertrains, the plug-in hybrid may outsell the diesel in the Old Continent. Its electric motor is built into the eight-speed transmission (compared to six for the front-biased CX-9 and CX-8), cranking out 100 kW or 134 horsepower on full song. As for total system output, make that 323 horsepower at 6,000 revolutions per minute and 369 pound-feet (500 Nm) at 1,500 revolutions per minute. Not bad for a 2.5L naturally-aspirated engine, isn't it? As for electric range, the WLTP estimate is 39 miles (63 kilometers).
For the diesel crowd, e-Skyactiv D means mild hybrid rather than plug-in hybrid. The 3.3-liter engine produces either 197 hp and 332 pound-feet (450 Nm) with rear-wheel drive or 251 hp and 406 pound-feet (550 Nm) with Mazda's i-Activ all-wheel-drive system.
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