The Japanese manufacturer Mazda has expanded its model range and presented to the public its largest SUV - the new CX-60. It is a four-wheel drive large family crossover with a plug-in hybrid system and can boast the title of the most powerful model of this manufacturer.
When creating the new model, the Japanese paid great attention to both the exterior and interior design, as well as the technological features of the car. The driving feel was also not forgotten - the developers say that although the car is all-wheel drive, they tried to keep the feeling of being a rear-wheel drive model.
Design is an important part of a brand
Although all cars are similar and there are more and more mocking pictures on the Internet where models from different manufacturers look like they are close relatives, Mazda designers maintain their own design language and strictly adhere to it. When creating the new model, the company followed the Kodo design philosophy, which was first introduced to the public a decade ago with the CX-5.
“To be honest, I'm not a fan of big machines. I understand their practicality and I'm not against it, but you can often see an inverse correlation between the size of a car and its beauty. Mazda seems to have coped well with this task. The car is really big and spacious, but it looks attractive from the outside - it is not a copy of another manufacturer's model", says car reviewer Justas Lengvinas, who has already had time to test the CX-60 in Portugal, about the new model.
True, the journalist adds that the head of the Mazda design department said that creating a design for a large crossover is one of the most difficult tasks. It was a really big challenge for the whole team. By the way, although the car is manufactured in Japan, most of its development work took place in Europe, so that the final version would be close to the buyers of this continent.
The exterior of the car is characterized by a powerful and dynamic shape - a strong front grille, a long engine hood and a shortened silhouette of the rear part made it possible to maintain the design lines of the "Kodo" and emphasize that this SUV is designed like a rear-wheel drive sports roadster.
Plug-in hybrid and big engines
It is probably no surprise that the proposed model has a plug-in hybrid system - the car is equipped with a 17.8 kWh battery and a 129 kW electric motor, which allows it to drive up to 63 kilometers on electricity alone, not exceeding 100 km/h. Many may be surprised by the Japanese choice not to downsize the engine - this hybrid system is paired with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with Skyactiv-G technology.
It is the most powerful street-oriented Mazda in Europe so far - the total power of the hybrid system reaches 327 horsepower and as much as 500 Nm. This allows a large car to reach 100 km/h. accelerate in just 5.8 seconds and tow a large trailer without any problems when needed. By the way, in all CX-60s, power is sent to all four drive wheels through an 8-speed automatic transmission designed and manufactured by Mazda itself.
According to engineers, they are not sitting idly by and continue to look for ways to increase the performance of internal combustion engines. Although the proposed hybrid system is characterized by high power and extremely good economic indicators (just 1.5 l/100 km according to WLTP), the CX-60 will later be available with a new generation 3-liter 6-cylinder gasoline engine "e-Skyactiv X" and 3 .3 liter Skyactiv-D diesel engine. Thanks to the improved high-precision injection system and the specially shaped combustion chamber, the thermal efficiency of these engines can reach up to 40%.
"The fact that Mazda is not reducing the displacement of the engine, but rather increasing it, was an unexpected and encouraging news. More and more we are seeing cars getting bigger and smaller and smaller engines. This is due to stricter ecological requirements. Unfortunately, driving dynamics suffer as a result.
This is especially noticeable in plug-in hybrids when the electricity runs out - due to the large batteries, and therefore the weight of the entire car, these small engines have to give their last strength in order for the car to drive at least somewhat dynamically. While driving the CX-60, to be honest, I didn't even feel when the gasoline engine was working and when the electric engine was working, and that's a really good feature," says J. Lengvinas.
The reviewer also mentions that the larger displacement engine was pleasing to the ears as well - although the sound insulation did not allow you to hear everything, the sound produced by the engine was much more pleasant than that emitted by small-capacity power plants. And this, according to him, contributes to driving pleasure.
"As far as the latest generation of Mazda cars I've driven so far, they've all handled really well and are more dynamic than phlegmatic." Driving the CX-60 inevitably feels like it's a big car, but the engineers have apparently done a good job of it, and it gives the driver a feel for the road.
High power is a significant factor, but to me far more important is how that power is delivered. Although you shouldn't look for sportiness when driving an SUV of this class, I'd be lying if I said you couldn't find it here. It's true, I really liked the off-road mode - although I didn't try it much, I can tell from a short spin in the sand that this crossover will be able to overcome the broken spring roads. Of course, if it is covered with the right tires", J. Lengvinas shares his impressions after the test drive.
Adaptive and assistive technologies
"Jinba-ittai" is how Mazda calls the feeling it seeks to give drivers when creating new cars, so it shined in the innovation and technology department. For example, it is enough to enter your height and the car will automatically select the most suitable position of the seats and steering wheel.
True, if it is not satisfactory, the driver can adjust himself: the car will remember the position and select it every time he gets in. It is very convenient if several people are driving the car - as soon as they get in, a special system will recognize the driver from his face and determine all his favorite functions: from seats or climate to his favorite radio station or speedometer screen options.
Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay systems are also installed in the car. They are displayed on the 12.3-inch central screen. A 12-speaker Bose audio system with noise-compensation technology is designed for music lovers.
“To be honest, I almost made a fool of myself when I got into the CX-60: I tried to select menu functions by touching the screen, and the instructor quickly explained to me that it is not touch-sensitive. You might think it's ancient, but it's far from it. Controlling the menu with the wheel on the center console is intuitive and, in my opinion, much safer while driving.
I still don't have an answer as to why using a mobile phone while behind the wheel is prohibited, but sometimes very complex touch screens in cars can be swiped at will. The menu does not seem to have changed from the older models, but it is basic, so there is no need to change anything. Kudos, too, for not having any touch-sensitive buttons. Everything is controlled by normal, physically moving buttons or controls. It is more expensive for the manufacturer than touch surfaces, but, at least for me, it gives much better emotions", concludes J. Lengvinas.
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