Mazda has kicked things off a notch at the 2024 Beijing International Motor Show by unveiling two brand-new products. The first one is called the EZ-6 and will likely be christened the EZ-60 when it arrives in Chinese showrooms later this year, and the second is known as the Arata.
But what exactly is the 2024 Mazda Arata? Well, it’s nothing more than a concept car at this point. However, it won't keep these duds for much longer, as the company has announced that it is previewing a production model for China. It's unknown whether it will launch outside the People's Republic, though certain outlets believe it might if there is enough demand.
The general idea is that the all-new Mazda Arata won't replace the CX-3 or the CX-5. Instead, it should launch with plug-in hybrid and battery-electric power, thus echoing the EZ-6. Due to its size, which we will get to in just a moment, it is expected to take on the likes of the Tesla Model Y, whereas the EZ-6 (EZ-60 as per a recent trademark) will take a swing at the Tesla Model 3.
Unfortunately, the Japanese automaker wasn't keen on releasing any technical details about the Arata Concept. Still, the local media speculates that it could share many traits with the Deepal S7 that Changan sells in China, especially since it was the work of the company's local joint-venture partner, Changan, whereas the EZ-6 is believed to have been based on the Deepal SL03.
Photo: Mazda
As a result, the new show car's wheelbase probably measures 2,900 mm (114 inches) long. The model should be around 4,750 mm (187 in) from bumper to bumper, 1930 mm (76 in) wide, and 1,625 mm (64 in) tall. This would make it about as large as the Tesla Model Y and a hair bigger than the Mazda CX-60, yet smaller than the CX-80 flagship crossover.
The Arata Concept sports Mazda's KODO design language. It has a faux grille up front flanked by a pair of slim lighting units and more lights further down, a central air intake separated by a vertical slat, and a prominent chin. The profile looks extra clean with its minimalistic design, cameras instead of traditional side mirrors, and hidden door handles.
Mazda's name is displayed on the lower parts of the doors. This model has rather short front and rear overhangs, a sloping roofline, muscular wheel arches, and black plastic cladding. The tailgate is just as clean as the profile, and it has cross-wing taillights separated by a backlit Mazda logo.
We hope the auto firm retains this styling as much as possible for the production version, as it is one sexy proposal. Do you want it in the United States? And would you kick Tesla's Model Y and other similarly-sized electric crossovers out of bed for it?
After a series of unfortunate events put an end to Cristian's dream of entering a custom built & tuned old-school Dacia into a rally competition, he moved on to drive press cars and write for a living. He's worked for several automotive online journals and now he's back at autoevolution after his first tour in the mid-2000s. Full profile
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