A sportier, more premium RWD CX-5: Bermaz is considering Mazda CX-60 for Malaysia

• Bermaz is conducting feasibility studies for Mazda CX-60 in Malaysia, positioned as a premium SUV
• Cabin materials and premium touches to exceed what’s offered in a Mercedes-Benz GLC
• Currently only available in Japan and Europe as an AWD, 2.5-litre 4-cylinder plug-in hybrid. A 3.3-litre RWD inline 6-cylinder turbo diesel variant will debut later

With a total system output of 327 PS of power and over 500 Nm of torque, the Mazda CX-60 plug-in hybrid is Mazda’s most powerful road car ever. Deliveries will commence in Europe next month, followed by Japan – the only two markets to sell the Mazda CX-60 so far.

Introduction in markets outside of Japan and Europe is not ruled out but have yet to be confirmed by Mazda Motor.

Also read: 2022 Mazda CX-60 officially debuts – PHEV AWD for Europe, 6-cyl RWD to launch later

Regardless, interest have been very high and we understand that many Mazda distributors around the Asia Pacific region have expressed interest for the model, while Mazda Australia has confirmed the model will be launched there in end-2022.

As for Malaysia, sources familiar with the matter say the Mazda CX-60 is currently being studied by local Mazda distributor Bermaz, for an eventual launch in Malaysia.

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

Separately, a spokesperson for Bermaz Motor said, “We can’t comment on the CX-60 yet but if you look at our model line-up, you will see that all right-hand drive Mazda models are available for sale in Malaysia.”

That’s a very strong hint that all but confirms the upcoming launch of the Mazda CX-60 in Malaysia.

As for the positioning of the Mazda CX-60, the company isn’t too concerned about it overlapping with the CX-5 or CX-8.

“Look at how we manage the CX-3 and CX-30, there is no problem, the SUV market is big enough,” said the spokesperson.

Over in Australia, the same question was posed to Mazda Australia managing director Vinesh Bhindi, who gave a similar answer to Australian publication GoAuto, “The CX-60 will be a very different model. It’s our next big step, our fourth new-generation model and the first of our large, rear-wheel-drive platform SUVs.”

“It’s not about Mazda lurching towards the premium market to battle it out with the premium brands. Mazda is doing its own thing, again, as we’ve always done, with the customer being the ultimate yardstick for our success and guide for our strategic direction.

“The way we plan to position the CX-60 is for it to sit above the CX-5, and while there could be an overlap (in price), if you think about the way we position the CX-3 and CX-30, then it’s a similar concept,” he added.

Unlike the transverse-mounted engine front- / all-wheel drive Mazda CX-5, the Mazda CX-60 uses a longitudinal engine layout for a rear- / all-wheel drive drivetrain.

The plug-in variant uses the same 4-cylinder 2.5-litre naturally aspirated SkyActiv-G engine as the CX-5, but mounted in North-South direction, driving all four wheels.

The upcoming 3.3-litre inline 6-cylinder cylinder turbo diesel rear-wheel drive variant will debut later.

The other main highlight of the CX-60 is its interior, which has a uniquely premium yet Japanese identity.

Mazda says the idea is not mirror to Mercedes-Benz or Audi’s direction, but to project its Japanese heritage via the work of its Takumi master craftsmen and women.

A typical premium German car’s interior has a very Teutonic character – dark, somber, very technical in character, giving occupants a sense of being dominated by a powerful machine over-powering the human soul.

The Mazda CX-60’s cabin is developed using the Japanese philosophy of ‘Ma,’ which promotes the use of beautiful empty spaces to calm the troubled soul. The doors and dashboard are trimmed with textured Japanese fabrics, which are used alongside maple wood and Nappa leather.

Mazda has yet to announce prices of the CX-60, but it will certainly be higher than the CKD Mazda CX-5 (from RM 134,403 to RM 176,852) overlapping the three-row seat CKD Mazda CX-8 (from RM 175,038 to RM 208,265).

We still don’t know if the Mazda CX-60 will be imported (CBU) from Japan or locally-assembled (CKD), but given its higher price and smaller volume potential versus the more mainstream practical 5-seater CX-5 and 6/7 seats CX-8, we think it will most likely be a CBU model.

Bermaz has plans to CKD a third model after the CX-5 and CX-8, but this will most likely be the Mazda CX-30 rather than the CX-60.

Also read: Bermaz confirmed to launch third CKD Mazda model – 2022 Mazda MX-30 or CX-30?