WHEN Mazda's new flagship SUV the CX-60 (not to be confused with Volvo's XC60) hits the road later this year, it will be the first ever plug-in hybrid from this appealingly idiosyncratic Japanese carmaker – and its most powerful ever road car.
Priced from £43,950 for the entry level Exclusive-Line trim, the CX-60 will slot into the current Mazda SUV family above the mid-sized petrol/diesel-only CX-5 as its flagship vehicle.
Under the bonnet will be a Skyactiv-G 2.5l four-cylinder petrol engine mated to a 100kW electric motor and a 17.8 kWh high-capacity battery. This hybrid all-wheel-drive set-up will deliver 327hp and 369ft lb torque, making it the most powerful car Mazda has ever produced, and will get you from 0-62mph in 5.8 seconds before topping out at 124mph.
Official range stats suggest the CX-60 is capable of 39 miles of combined electric-only driving at 62mph or less, or 42 miles of city range, while combined fuel consumption is rated at 188mpg WLTP and combined CO2 emissions at 33g/km.
The CX-60 is equipped with an all-new eight-speed automatic transmission and Mazda's i-Activ All-Wheel Drive system, with Mazda's Intelligent Drive Select offering a choice of drive modes: Normal, Sport, Off-Road, Towing and EV.
Pleasingly, Mazda are one of the few carmakers who haven't completely given up on the increasingly unfashionable internal combustion engine: newly developed straight-six 3.0l e-Skyactiv X petrol and 3.3l e-Skyactiv D diesel engines are set to be added to the CX-60 range at a later date. Both will utilise M Hybrid Boost – Mazda's 48V mild hybrid system – for improved fuel economy and emissions and "may also be equipped with rear-wheel drive only".
Several new driver aid technologies are set to debut in the Mazda CX-60, including See-Through View, "a next-generation 360-degree monitor with extended field of view at low speeds", Hill Descent Control and Adaptive Cruise Control incorporating a speed limiter mated to Traffic Sign Recognition.
Interior wise, things are very 'Mazda': the CX-60 follows the Kodo design language encompassing the Japanese concept of 'Ma' – "the calm and dignified beauty of empty space".
Two other trim levels are offered, the sportier Homura from £46,700 – larger wheels and 'black-out' trim treatment and the range-topping comfort/style-orientated Takumi from £48,050 – white nappa leather interior, maple wood trim, soft-touch fabric dash panel, chrome detailing inside and out.
Both can be augmented with an optional panoramic glass roof for an extra £1,000, while tailored option packs are also offered. Choose from:
Comfort (£1,400, Executive-Line only) including 20-inch alloys, electric and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats and Mazda Driver Personalisation System technology
Convenience (£1,000) including privacy glass, See-Through View monitor and wireless phone charging
Driver Assistance (£1,100) including "a large tally of additional active safety technology"
CX-60 orders are open now, for delivery "later this year".
AT A GLANCE: Mazda CX-60 PHEV SUV
- Price (OTR): From £43,950
- Benefit In Kind: 12 per cent
- Drivetrain: Skyactiv-G 2.5l four-cylinder petrol engine plus 100kW electric motor, 17.8 kWh battery, eight-speed automatic transmission and Mazda i-Activ All-Wheel Drive
- Max power: 327hp, 369ft lb torque
- Max speed: 124mph
- 0-62mph: 5.8secs
- Max electric-only range WLTP: 42 miles
- Fuel consumption WLTP: 188mpg
- Co2 emissions WLTP: 33g/km
