Mazda’s flagship offensive is kicking into high-gear with several ‘Large Group’ products to come, and one of them is the upcoming Mazda CX-80, which looks to be a powerful, tech-laden affair.
Like the recently-launched Mazda CX-60, the incumbent CX-80 will also have a longitudinal engine layout for a rear- / all-wheel drive drivetrain.
Cutaway of the Mazda CX-60, but the same principle applies
Powertrain details are still under wraps, but Japanese sources have pegged the CX-80 to receive a 6-cylinder regular combustion engine, a plug-in hybrid system (PHEV), and a 48V mild-hybrid setup. SkyActiv-X and SkyActiv-D petrol / diesel options are also bound to join the selection, depending on markets.
Mazda’s throwing the kitchen sink to these new crop of products, and besides the new six-bangers, expect the Kinematic Posture Control (KPC) system to be fitted to the new SUV.
This technology was first used on the Mazda MX-5, in which the brakes are utilised to reduce the car’s body roll in corners. When cornering under high-G conditions, KPC works by applying slight brake pressure to the inner rear wheel to suppress roll and stabilise its position - essentially GVC for rear-wheel drive cars.
Besides that, the CX-80 is also said to receive the “Mazda Co-Pilot” advanced safety suite, in which the car will be able to tell if drivers are incapicitated, warn others on the road, and safely pull over. Neat.
Interior layout of the Mazda CX-8, which the CX-80 will likely follow, albeit larger
Touted to succeed the Mazda CX-8, the CX-80 will follow the same three-row, seven-seat formula - but expect it to be a little bigger, whilst leaning deeper into the brand’s more premium aspirations.
The Mazda CX-80 is slated to go on sale in Japan beginning 2023, with international markets to follow after that.
With humble beginnings collecting diecast models and spending hours virtually tuning dream cars on the computer, his love of cars has delightfully transformed into a career. Sanjay enjoys how the same passion for cars transcends boundaries and brings people together.
