Mazda has confirmed that the new CX-80, the seven-seater version of the flagship CX-60, is coming to South Africa
In a recent interview on MyBroadband’s What’s Next in Motoring, Craig Roberts, the Managing Director (MD) of Mazda Southern Africa, said that the CX-80 will arrive in the second quarter of 2024 and that it will feature a plug-in hybrid powertrain – a first for the carmaker’s local division.
What to expect
The CX-80 will join the recently-launched CX-60 at the top of the automaker’s range, as the two vehicles are built upon the same platform.
While there are currently not many details on the 80, its two extra seats mean it will likely have a longer body than the 60, which already measures 4,740mm (4.74 metres) in length.
Roberts confirmed that the seven-seater will use the same 2.5-litre, naturally-aspirated petrol engine as its sibling, which generates 141kW and 261Nm.
However, he also stated that the 80 will introduce a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of the 2.5-litre plant, which may also be made available as an engine option for the CX-60.
Unfortunately, no further information has been provided on the PHEV’s specs.
As a reference of what Mazda’s hybrids are currently capable of, the MX-30 range-extender hybrid that is sold in other markets uses an 830cc petrol engine to charge a 17.8kWh battery, which in turn powers a 125kW electric motor on the front axle. Altogether, the setup assures a 0-100km/h sprint of 9.1 seconds and provides a total electric driving range of 85km.
The MD also said that the brand has plans to launch a new battery-electric vehicle in various markets, including South Africa, by 2026.
The Mazda CX-60 – the five-seater counterpart to the upcoming CX-80.
Aside from the engine additions and an altered seating arrangement, the CX-80 will look and feel very similar to the CX-60 on which it is based, boasting a similar level of equipment.
This means prospective buyers should be able to look forward to innovative features like the Mazda Driver Personalization System, which uses cameras with facial recognition to identify the occupant of the driver’s seat and match the cabin’s various components like the seat position, steering wheel, mirrors, and digital displays to suit their physical profile.
The manufacturer’s flagship line is also fitted with three separate screens – a heads-up display (HUD), a 12.0-inch driver monitor, and a 12.3-inch infotainment unit – the latter of which boasts onboard navigation and smartphone mirroring.
Another much-touted item is the 12-speaker Bose stereo, which employs a new Master Sound Revive Noise Reduction system to remove background noise and improve the audio quality in real-time.
The SUV also comes with an assortment of safety items including hill-descent control, radar cruise control, a 360-degree camera, automatic LED headlights, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and seven airbags.
The Mazda CX-60 retails from R739,800, so expect its larger counterpart to start somewhere above this price tag.
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