Mazda is set to make a big impact in the European electric vehicle (EV) market with its upcoming release of the EZ-6, a striking new electric saloon. The car was initially revealed at the Beijing motor show in April as an electric successor to the Mazda 6, produced through a joint venture with Changan in China. However, Mazda has now signed an agreement with Changan Mazda for the export of the EZ-6, making it the company’s first global new-energy vehicle. The car is expected to arrive in the Chinese and European markets in the autumn of this year.
The EZ-6 is likely to shake up the European EV market, as Mazda currently only sells one EV in the region, the MX-30 compact SUV. In the first half of this year, the MX-30 achieved just a 5% EV sales mix in the UK, significantly lower than its competitors Toyota and Lexus. However, the size and shape of the EZ-6, which measures 4921mm long with a 2900mm wheelbase, position it as a direct rival to popular EVs like the Tesla Model 3, Polestar 2, and BMW i4. This could potentially boost Mazda’s EV sales in Europe.
One potential hurdle for the EZ-6 is pricing. Chinese-built EVs are now subject to significant import tariffs in the EU, with cars built by Changan incurring duties of 20.8%. This means that the EZ-6 is unlikely to be priced as a value alternative to its mainstream competitors. However, Mazda is known for prioritizing driving pleasure, and the company has leveraged its expertise in dynamic performance tuning from the gasoline vehicle era to ensure that the EZ-6 offers an enjoyable driving experience. The car will have a 50:50 front-to-rear weight distribution, multi-link rear suspension, and a self-raising rear spoiler for high-speed stability.
The EZ-6 will be available in two powertrain formats. The first is an EV with a rear-mounted 218bhp motor and an estimated range of 373 miles, while the second is a range-extender (REx) version with a total claimed range of around 745 miles. The MX-30, Mazda’s current EV offering, is also available in both EV and REx versions in the UK. Mazda has emphasized that despite being electric, the EZ-6 will embody the same ‘jinba ittai’ ethos as its petrol-engined predecessors, focusing on the connection between the car and the driver.
The interior of the EZ-6 features a minimalist and luxurious design, common among Chinese-market EVs. It is dominated by a 14.6-inch infotainment touchscreen with touch and voice control, with physical controls limited to haptic switches on the steering wheel. Alongside the EZ-6, Mazda and Changan also revealed the Arata concept, an SUV set to enter production in 2025 on the same platform as the EZ-6. However, there are no confirmed plans to sell the Arata outside of China at this time.
Overall, the introduction of the Mazda EZ-6 to the European market has the potential to significantly impact Mazda’s EV sales. With its striking design, strong performance, and emphasis on driving pleasure, the EZ-6 could be a formidable rival to popular EVs like the Tesla Model 3 and BMW i4. However, pricing and import tariffs may pose challenges for Mazda, and it remains to be seen whether the company can compete effectively in the European EV market.