Rear-wheel drive next, AWD plug-in hybrid Mazda CX-60 enters production in Japan

Bound for Europe, the Mazda CX-60 - the most powerful Mazda road car ever - has entered production at Mazda’s Hofu Plant No. 2 in the Yamaguchi Prefecture in Japan.

The Mazda CX-60 model is the first Mazda to be built on the company’s latest large-product architecture platform, which can accommodate a longitudinal engine for a rear- / all-wheel drive drivetrain layout.

Although the highlight of the Mazda CX-60 is its 6-cylinder rear-wheel drive drivetrain, only the all-wheel drive 2.5-litre 4-cylinder plug-in hybrid variant is being produced at the moment.

A 3.3-litre 6-cylinder diesel rear-wheel drive variant has been confirmed for Japan, but that model won’t enter production until later this year.

With a combined system output of 327 PS, delivering over 500 Nm, the Mazda CX-60 plug-in hybrid is more powerful than any of its previous RX and MX series sports cars from the past.

The 2.5-litre 4-cylinder naturally aspirated SkyActiv-G engine makes 192 PS and 261 Nm, but since it’s a plug-in hybrid (PHEV), it’s also aided by a 100 kW (136 PS, 250 Nm) electric motor, driven by a 17.8 kWh, 355V high voltage battery.

The Mazda CX-60 weighs 1,980 kg and accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 5.8 seconds, with an electric driving range of up to 68 km in city driving conditions (63 km for combined highway and city driving).

Drive is transferred to all 4 wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission.

A 48V mild-hybrid variant for both the 2.5-litre 4-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol and 3.3-cylinder turbo diesel will be made available in certain markets. For Europe, the CX-60 will be sold exclusively as a plug-in hybrid.

The Mazda CX-60 won’t be sold in USA, as that market will adopt the CX-50, CX-70, and CX-90. The latter is a 3-row seat, 7- or 8-seater SUV.

Also read: 5 new SUVs confirmed - Mazda CX-50, CX-60, CX-70, CX-80, CX-90 starting 2022

The CX-60 and the forthcoming CX-80 are primarily aimed at Japan and Europe, but presumably will also be sold in the rest Asia too. The CX-60 is a five-seater while the CX-80 will be a 3-row seat, 7- or 8-seater SUV.

The first shipment of Mazda CX-60 will depart for Europe from Japan’s Nakanoseki port on 26-April. Europe will be the first region to sell the Mazda CX-60.