Photo: Mazda
Mazda Motor Corporation isn't fully (or solely) behind the Mazda EZ-6 sedan and the Arata concept presented at the 18th Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, or Auto China 2024 - instead, Changan Mazda Automobile Corporation Ltd. takes the spotlight.
True, Changan Mazda, as the name implies, is a Chinese company that officially involves the Japanese automaker through investments. Now, after much speculation regarding the potential return of the Mazda6, its local Chinese market successor is official in Beijing. The 18th Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, or Auto China 2024, held between April 25 and May 4 at the New China International Exhibition Centre, sure gathers some mighty fine introductions.
We have already seen the smart Concept #5, the all-new Audi Q6L, the 2025 MINI Aceman, the 2025 Lamborghini Urus SE plug-in hybrid, the electric G-Class, the MG EXE181 hypercar, the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance, or the trio of bespoke commissions from Rolls-Royce. However, Mazda fans will only have eyes for the newly electrified Mazda EZ-6. Yes, it's a Mazda6 with a different name – and that's quite a big deal if you're an enthusiast of the big Japanese sedan.
The Mazda6 mid-size series was dropped from the US family in 2021, and Mazda continued to pull the plug from other markets – in the UK in 2022 and then at home in Japan just a few months ago. However, the sedan and/or wagon are still on sale on the Old Continent and in other markets like China. This new incarnation, though, is quite different from the aging model that's been around in its current generation since 2012.
Developed by the Changan Mazda joint venture, the EZ-6 is a sleeker four-door saloon that is the first in a new series of NEV (new energy vehicles) set to be announced and produced by Changan Mazda in cooperation with Mazda and Chongqing Changan Automobile by the end of the year. Based on Mazda's current design language (Kodo-Soul of Motion), the EZ-6 is a dedicated electrified vehicle with Mazda's "signature driving performance which focuses on the Jinba-Ittai (car and driver as one) driving feel," but carries an advanced electric vehicle and smart technology supplied by Changan Automobile (another caveat, wink, wink).
The looks and feel of a Mazda, Chinese stuff underneath – that's the second caveat aside from the one revolving around this model not being the direct successor of the Mazda6. There will be two versions on sale in China – an all-electric model with 50/50 weight distribution plus an electric-powered rear spoiler as well as RWD and a plug-in hybrid variant. The BEV model has a front strut and rear multi-link suspension, intelligent drive, and voice-controlled intelligent parking technology, plus smart cabin features like gesture control.
The specifications haven't been fully detailed yet, though. All we know is the Mazda EZ-6 will be 4,921 mm long, 1,890 mm wide, and 1,485 mm tall, and the BEV model targets a range of up to 600 km (373 miles) while the PHEV option will go even further (1,000 km or 621 miles).
We have already seen the smart Concept #5, the all-new Audi Q6L, the 2025 MINI Aceman, the 2025 Lamborghini Urus SE plug-in hybrid, the electric G-Class, the MG EXE181 hypercar, the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance, or the trio of bespoke commissions from Rolls-Royce. However, Mazda fans will only have eyes for the newly electrified Mazda EZ-6. Yes, it's a Mazda6 with a different name – and that's quite a big deal if you're an enthusiast of the big Japanese sedan.
The Mazda6 mid-size series was dropped from the US family in 2021, and Mazda continued to pull the plug from other markets – in the UK in 2022 and then at home in Japan just a few months ago. However, the sedan and/or wagon are still on sale on the Old Continent and in other markets like China. This new incarnation, though, is quite different from the aging model that's been around in its current generation since 2012.
Developed by the Changan Mazda joint venture, the EZ-6 is a sleeker four-door saloon that is the first in a new series of NEV (new energy vehicles) set to be announced and produced by Changan Mazda in cooperation with Mazda and Chongqing Changan Automobile by the end of the year. Based on Mazda's current design language (Kodo-Soul of Motion), the EZ-6 is a dedicated electrified vehicle with Mazda's "signature driving performance which focuses on the Jinba-Ittai (car and driver as one) driving feel," but carries an advanced electric vehicle and smart technology supplied by Changan Automobile (another caveat, wink, wink).
The looks and feel of a Mazda, Chinese stuff underneath – that's the second caveat aside from the one revolving around this model not being the direct successor of the Mazda6. There will be two versions on sale in China – an all-electric model with 50/50 weight distribution plus an electric-powered rear spoiler as well as RWD and a plug-in hybrid variant. The BEV model has a front strut and rear multi-link suspension, intelligent drive, and voice-controlled intelligent parking technology, plus smart cabin features like gesture control.
The specifications haven't been fully detailed yet, though. All we know is the Mazda EZ-6 will be 4,921 mm long, 1,890 mm wide, and 1,485 mm tall, and the BEV model targets a range of up to 600 km (373 miles) while the PHEV option will go even further (1,000 km or 621 miles).
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