Mazda’s Tesla Model Y Rival Looks Slick, But There’s A Catch

Mazda is stepping up its sport within the electrical automobile market. Following the launch of the beautiful EZ-6 sedan final yr, the corporate has now unveiled the luxurious EZ-60 crossover. This new mannequin options distinctive design components which might be unusual in mid-size crossovers, similar to flying buttresses and rear-view mirrors that rely solely on digital shows.

Whereas the EZ-60 is constructed on a platform from Chinese language automaker Changan, this is not essentially a disadvantage. It’ll doubtless profit from superior powertrain know-how, making it aggressive within the quickly evolving EV panorama.

Mazda has been slower than some rivals in transitioning from conventional gasoline autos, but it stays decided to make an impression within the electrical section. The newest announcement of the EZ-60 crossover was made on Weibo, a well-liked Chinese language social media platform. The smooth design of the EZ-60 enhances the established aesthetics of the EZ-6, which was focused at competing with the Tesla Mannequin 3, whereas the EZ-60 goals to go head-to-head with the Mannequin Y.

It is vital to notice that the EZ-60 shouldn’t be solely a Mazda creation; it shares its basis with the Deepal S07. Deepal is an electric-only model beneath Changan, which is seeking to develop its presence past China in markets similar to Norway, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, and the U.Okay. The EZ-60 might even be bought alongside its Deepal counterpart in a few of these areas.

The EZ-60 makes use of the EPA1 platform developed by Changan, with expectations of sharing its powertrain with the S07. Though Mazda has not but printed particular particulars, the collaboration is smart. The Deepal S07 affords options that surpass these discovered in lots of Western rivals, together with the most recent ADAS software program from Huawei and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chip for superior cockpit performance. It additionally boasts spectacular charging capabilities, in a position to recharge in simply 20 minutes, and begins at an reasonably priced value of 169,000 yuan (roughly $22,000).

The EPA1 platform accommodates numerous electrified powertrains, together with pure electrical, extended-range hybrid, and fuel-cell choices. Whereas specs for the EZ-60 stay beneath wraps, they’re anticipated to align carefully with these of the S07. The Deepal affords a single motor setup with 215 horsepower and a dual-motor variant with 255 hp. Prospects in China can select between a 68.8 kilowatt-hour lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, which supplies a CLTC vary of 323 miles, and an 80 kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery that delivers a spread of 390 miles.

Regardless of the promising specs, essentially the most compelling facet of the EZ-60 could also be its design, which seems to be extra upscale than its Deepal counterpart and much more refined than the Mannequin Y. It options slender headlamps related by an illuminated grille and brand, with further fashionable aerodynamic parts. The automobile replaces conventional facet mirrors with smooth digital items fed by cameras—an unusual characteristic in manufacturing autos, notably within the mid-size crossover section, which usually targets excessive gross sales volumes.

Particulars concerning the inside of the EZ-60 will probably be disclosed on the upcoming Shanghai Auto Present. Whereas it stays unsure the place else the automobile will probably be accessible other than China, Europe appears a extra doubtless vacation spot than the U.S. resulting from its Chinese language origins and the continued tariff state of affairs. Regardless, the EZ-60 may present Mazda with a big enhance in international markets.



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