Motoring

Mazda’s new CX SUV roll-out continues: CX-80 before year-end

Having made little mentioning so far over it’s fourth new CX model, the CX-80, Mazda’s CEO for Europe has confirmed that the newcomer will become a reality a this year.

Also rear-wheel-drive

Reportedly slated to have seven seats and as evident by its name, slot-in between the CX-90 and also unseen CX-70, the CX-80 will have access to Mazda’s new rear-wheel-drive platform and straight-six engines in both petrol and diesel guises.

*_{First of the new line-up, the CX-50, will only be sold in the United States.}*

As with its siblings, and the US market only CX-50, the CX-80’s entry-level engine is expected to come in the form of the plug-in hybrid 2.5-litre SkyActiv-G four-cylinder that produces a combined 241kW/500Nm.

In confirming the CX-80, Martijn ten Brink told Automotive News Europe that the newcomer will debut before the end of year before going on-sale soon after. An official date wasn’t disclosed.

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Rotary? Maybe

At the same time, the executive remained coy about the prospects of expanding on the rotary R-EV unit that debuted in the MX-30 last month to other models, saying while it could be “exchanged among other models, those decisions will depend on the answers to questions such as: Will this appeal to a unique target customer? How do we grow this? Where do we take it from here?”.

Besides being a certainty for Europe, the CX-80 will also be sold in Japan and more than likely in the United Kingdom too, the latter being a key reason for the supposed inclusion of a diesel in spite of the popularity of oil-burners continuing to dwindle.

*_{The CX-60 is tipped for South Africa but not confirmed.}*

Under investigation

The expected availability in the above mentioned markets means the CX-80 will be produced with right-hand-drive, therefore making it a candidate for South African introduction.

In fact, the local arm of Hiroshima, back in 2021 following the announcing of the five models, confirmed that the CX-70, CX-80 and CX-90 have been placed under investigation for introduction at some stage in 2023 and 2024.