The all-new Mazda CX-6e brings a bold new blend of electric performance, refinement and driver engagement to Mazda’s award-winning SUV line-up. The result of a truly global collaboration between teams in Europe, Japan and China, the development of the CX-6e benefitted from the relationship between Mazda and its long-standing joint venture partner Changan Mazda Automobile (CMA), who have produced Mazda cars for the Chinese market for two decades.
Evolving from local vehicle production into joint vehicle development, the partnership with CMA has allowed Mazda to combine their expertise in engineering and vehicle dynamics with Changan’s strengths in electric vehicle technology and cutting-edge connectivity. Bringing together these complementary capabilities across development and production mean the Mazda6e and the Mazda CX-6e are produced at CMA’s exclusively Mazda plant in Nanjing, China alongside local market Mazda3, Mazda CX-5 and Mazda CX-50 models.
Throughout the production process, Mazda’s craftmanship and global quality control standards remain fundamental to every car that leaves the factory, and crucially when it comes to driving dynamics and engineering of the CX-6e, Mazda’s European Research and Design Centre (MRE) in Oberursel, Germany played a key role in ensuring the CX-6e delivers the driving characteristics needed in the European market.
From the earliest stages of development, MRE engineers worked closely with Mazda Motor Corporation and Changan Mazda Automobile to ensure that the CX-6e meets the high standards of a true Mazda SUV. As with the Mazda6e, extensive development and validation work on vehicle dynamics, performance feel, safety systems and everyday usability was carried out on the Mazda CX-6e, which shares platform similarities with its hatchback cousin.
Powered by a 78kWh lithium iron phosphate battery through a rear-mounted motor producing 258ps and 290Nm through a single-speed transmission, the rear-wheel drive Mazda CX-6e accelerates to 62mph in 7.9secs. The chassis has a 47:53 weight distribution split to help deliver a dynamic driving experience, something MRE engineers focused on even further with the aim of achieving Mazda’s Jinba Ittai connection between car and driver.
For the European Mazda CX-6e engineers refined accelerator response to deliver a more natural and predictable feel, while regenerative braking was developed to offer multiple levels of energy recovery and a communicative pedal feel. Chassis calibration, suspension tuning and steering characteristics were all carefully evaluated and adjusted for the European market to meet Mazda’s expectations for driver engagement.
At the same time focus was also placed on noise, vibration and harshness performance on European roads so that the CX-6e strikes the correct balance between dynamism and refinement. Additional acoustic measures and an optional electric-vehicle sound signature provide a relaxed but communicative driving experience.
Three drive modes allow drivers to tailor the CX-6e’s character: Normal Mode balances smooth acceleration, medium regenerative braking and power steering assistance, Sport Mode sharpens acceleration response and steering assistance, while Individual Mode allows drivers to choose their personal favourite mode from a menu of medium or strong acceleration, four levels of regenerative braking and standard or sport steering.
Commenting on the dynamic experience of the Mazda CX-6e, Kunihiro Shishima, General Manager, Mazda Motor Europe, European R&D Centre, said: “the team here at MRE played a pivotal role in crafting a vehicle that feels at home on European roads and ensured that the CX-6e delivers the kind of driving dynamics that enthusiasts expect. Balanced, responsive and refined, from chassis and steering tuning to braking performance and tyre choice, our engineers made great efforts to calibrate each element to deliver an engaging and confident drive experience”.
When it comes to efficiency, the Mazda CX-6e has a combined range of up to 300-miles on a single charge, while DC charging is supported at up to 200kW, enabling 10-80 per cent charge in 24 minutes. The onboard charger accepts 11kW three-phase AC charging through a Type 2 connector. The illuminated front wing grille surround, front Mazda emblem and rear light bar pulse at the start and end of charging.
Combining refinement and comfort with performance and confident dynamics, the Mazda CX-6e’s rear-wheel drive chassis delivers a ride and handling balance tailored for European roads and is electric driving in its most artful form – an expression of intelligent engineering.