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The native launch of the Chinese language-built, electrical Mazda 6e liftback seems nearly inevitable at this level, with a right-hand drive instance spied by CarExpert negotiating a roundabout in Sydney.
The newest sighting of the battery-powered successor to the long-running Mazda 6 follows photos of what’s more likely to have been the identical automobile (judging by its Victorian quantity plate) being shared in a Mazda proprietor’s group earlier this month – solely on that event the automobile was seen in Melbourne.
Though it’s but to be formally confirmed for Australia, the 6e (often called the EZ-6 in China) has already been locked in for right-hand drive manufacturing and can go on sale in Thailand later this yr, adopted by the UK in 2026.
A number of Australian sightings counsel that Mazda just isn’t solely fascinated about promoting the mannequin regionally, however has already begun fine-tuning its software program and doubtlessly {hardware} to go well with our notoriously distinctive driving circumstances – one thing the model selected to forego with the launch of the broadly criticised CX-60 mid-size SUV.
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These newest spy pictures don’t reveal something new concerning the 6e’s exterior design, which isn’t stunning given the glossy, liftback sedan has already been proven off with out camouflage abroad.
We additionally have already got an thought of what to anticipate beneath the pores and skin when it arrives in Australian showrooms, as indicated by European specs. In that promote it’s accessible with a single-motor rear-wheel drive electrical powertrain producing as much as 190kW of energy and 320Nm of torque.
It’s fitted with a regular 68.8kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery that may be charged at as much as 165kW, and gives 479km of vary on the WLTP cycle.
There’s additionally a bigger 80kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) battery that may solely assist 90kW DC fast-charging, however gives an elevated vary of 552km. With this battery, peak energy output drops barely to 180kW.
Launched in China in 2024, the EZ-6/6e is a twin of the Deepal L07 and due to this fact constructed by Chinese language producer Changan Car, with which Mazda has a joint-venture partnership. Its native arrival would make it Mazda Australia’s first Chinese language-built mannequin, diverging from autos sometimes sourced from Japan or Thailand.
It’s constructed atop the identical Changan EPA1 platform utilised by the Deepal S07 electrical SUV, which is already offered right here via Subaru importer Inchcape.
Though not formally designated as such, the 6e serves as an oblique alternative for the Mazda 6, which was axed in late 2024, and can compete with the Tesla Mannequin 3 sedan. No variant of the 6e or L07 exists to fill the opening left by the Mazda 6 wagon, however the brand new liftback measures roughly 50mm longer and 50mm wider than the Mazda 6 sedan.
A press release by Mazda Australia managing director Vinesh Bhindi indicated the model was “constructing a enterprise case” for the 6e, however solely in its absolutely electrical guise, which means we’re unlikely to see the extended-range electrical (EREV) model supplied in China.
In some European markets, the 6e is obtainable solely in well-specified Takumi or Takumi Plus grades. Each come customary with 19-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic glass roof, 14.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a ten.2-inch digital instrument cluster, and heated, ventilated and power-adjustable entrance seats.
Whereas the 6e has been confirmed for RHD manufacturing, the EZ-60 mid-size electrical SUV – one other Chinese language Mazda, which was revealed at this yr’s Shanghai motor present – hasn’t but. It’s anticipated to be exported from China beneath the CX-6e nameplate and can compete with the the world’s top-selling EV, the Tesla Mannequin Y.
Mazda isn’t simply counting on China for EV improvement, nevertheless.
Along with two new fashions collectively developed with Changan, that are slated to launch between 2028 and 2030, Mazda plans to launch its first bespoke EV based mostly on a devoted platform in 2027.
MORE: 2026 Mazda 6e: Tesla Mannequin 3 rival spied in Australia forward of native launch
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