Mazda's CX-50, first in new crossover range, to debut in November
There's also a CX-70 and CX-90 in the pipe, with inline-six engines and new platforms underneath
Hiroshima’s development of its crossover vehicle program continues apace, with the company revealing it will use next month’s auto show in Los Angeles to debut a new model called the CX-50.
Mazda says it’s part of a plan which will see a trio of new crossover-type machines join its lineup by calendar year 2023. First out of the gate is this CX-50, a vehicle that will share its platform with the smaller CX-30 crossover (shown above) and 3 sedan. It will be an addition, not a replacement, in Mazda’s lineup; company spox say they will continue to sell the popular CX-5. Any differences in size or motivation between these two rigs is not immediately clear, but will surely be highlighted at the car’s debut in November.
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As for the other two crossovers bound for Mazda showrooms, they will be called the CX-70 and CX-90, the latter serving as a direct replacement for the pretty but woefully underpowered CX-9. Here’s the interesting part: both will ride on the company’s new longitudinal platform, meaning it’ll have a lot more in common with a rear-wheel-drive vehicle than a front-driver. This is good news for families who haven’t lost their driving spark.
Even better? They’ll be powered by an inline-six-cylinder engine, plus the expected plug-in hybrid powertrains, because everyone needs to be friendly to Johnny Polar Bear. An inline-six and longitudinal platform sounds like a great combination to us.
The main differentiator between CX-70 and CX-90 will be seat count, with two and three rows of chairs being offered, respectively. It is not a stretch to imagine these two vehicles will be related in a way similar to how the BMW X5 and X6 are cousins, with one cutting a faster roofline for style at the expense of cargo volume and passenger space.
In any event, this proves the crew at Mazda are in no danger of losing their streak of ‘Zoom-Zoom’ fun. We look forward to seeing these vehicles in person.