CX-60 validation program begins

AHEAD of an official launch next year, two pre-production examples of the new Mazda CX-60 SUV have arrived in Australia for validation, testing and analysis. Like many other car-makers, Mazda chose Australia for their test program due to our harsh climatic and driving conditions.

The Hiroshima-based company’s handsome new CX-60 has been under development for some time and images of it are freely available in the digital space. Mazda Australia is leading the intensive local test program kicking off this month to ensure CX-60 is right for Australia…. and other markets.

The two vehicles are undertaking a series of comprehensive on-road assessments that will last for up to six months. The program will measure key data in a series of high- and low-load scenarios that include powertrain stress-testing, towing capability, quality assurance, in-depth analysis of real-world driving range and other performance-related criteria.

It is anticipated that more than 30,000km will be covered during the testing phase and all data collated will be shared with Mazda’s Hiroshima Research and Development centre in Japan for analysis.

Mazda chose Australia for CX-60 validation as “it is considered a key market also suitable for contributing to the global Mazda vehicle testing regime due to unique road composition and climatic conditions”.

Australia also presents Mazda an ideal environment for confirmation of the company’s acclaimed Jinba-Ittai driving experience, a core philosophy in the development of the Mazda CX-60 and other models in their line-up.

Welcoming the arrival of the two development vehicles domestically, Mazda Australia Managing Director, Vinesh Bhindi said: “We are fully invested in ensuring our ground-breaking SUV will also masterfully deliver on the specific needs of our Australian customers.”

“Our engineering team will consistently push the cars to their extremes, and these strenuous evaluations are a vital step in our absolute commitment to customer experience and continuous brand improvement.”

Director of Marketing, Alastair Doak added: “These cars are some of the very first to come off the production line, yet despite their early build schedule, the quality of fit and finish is already indicative of the premium offering that the Mazda CX-60 model range represents.”

“This rigorous and informative testing program is the ideal opportunity for our market to contribute to the future success of this landmark model from the very beginning.”

The two development vehicles will also be utilised to reinforce and progress the comprehensive training schedule already being rolled out internally and across the 140-strong Mazda dealer network, strengthening local knowledge and understanding in readiness for the arrival of the CX-60.

The CX-60 medium SUV is based on a new rear- and all-wheel-drive architecture and will be offered with plug-in hybrid and straight-six petrol and diesel powertrains. The five-seater was due to arrive in Australia later this year but that has been delayed. It will likely be offered as an upmarket complement to the CX-5.

Since the introduction of the CX-30 – Mazda’s popular small SUV offering that sits above the CX-3 light SUV – the market has anticipated a barrage of new CX-prefixed crossover and SUV models from the Hiroshima-based car-maker.

The CX-60 is based on Mazda’s Skyactiv Multi-Solution Scalable (Large Vehicle) Architecture and will initially sit above the long-serving CX-5 medium SUV. The two-row, mid-size CX-60 is slightly larger than the CX-5 and also longer and wider riding on a 2870mm wheelbase.

Exterior dimensions are 4745mm long, 1890mm wide and 1680mm tall. They suggest it may be classified as a large SUV in Australia, a segment already occupied by Mazda’s CX-8 and CX-9 three-row models.

The CX-60’s eye-catching exterior is characterised by several cues from Mazda’s Kodo design language, such as a bold grille with chrome wings that flare out to meet almost nugget-like LED headlamps (with L-shaped daytime running lights).

Apart from sporting chunkier, more masculine detailing than most of its stablemates, the model’s extended dimensions make it look more slab-sided and upright in stance than the current crop of Mazda family cars. The cabin has an upmarket appearance, replete with an elegant, minimalist fascia and dashboard plus raised centre console.

The CX-60 is the first mainstream Mazda with a rear-wheel-drive configuration for a while – others include the MX-5 roadster and Isuzu-based BT-50 ute. It rides on double-wishbone front and a multi-link rear suspension, enhanced by Mazda’s Kinematic Posture Control system as recently debuted on the MX-5.

The powertrain line-up for the CX-60 will likely see the introduction of a 241kW/500Nm plug-in hybrid power unit that combines a 141kW/261Nm 2.5-litre SkyActiv-G four-cylinder petrol engine with a 100kW/250Nm electric motor that is fed by a 17.8 kWh lithium-ion battery. Mazda says the PHEV version can accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 5.8 seconds and achieve a top speed of 200km/h, but more impressively, travel 60km on battery power alone.

Mazda is yet to release peak output figures for its inline six-cylinder engines – a 3.0-litre e-SkyActive X naturally aspirated petrol and a 3.3-litre e-Skyactive turbo-diesel – but both are offered in conjunction with 48V mild-hybrid systems. A new eight-speed automatic transmission with a multi-plate clutch makes its debut on the CX-60, which will be available in rear- and i-Activ all-wheel drive guises.

Drive modes include Normal, Sport, Off-Road, Towing (and EV), while the braked towing capacity is said to be 2500kg.

Pricing and local specification of the Mazda CX-60 will be confirmed closer to launch.