Mazda CX-60 plugs in: New flagship PHEV SUV will be “most powerful Mazda ever”

The Mazda CX-60 PHEV will be the most powerful road Mazda ever when it arrives in Australia in the first half of 2023, with the flagship SUV to debut new electrified powertrains right across the range.

The three model line-up (the Evolve, GT and the flagship Azami) will be headlined by a new plug-in hybrid powertrain, which will marry a 2.5-litre inline four-cylinder petrol engine with a 100kW electric motor, with total system output rated at 241kW and 500Nm – enough to make the CX-60 the “most powerful Mazda road car ever produced.”

A 17.8kWh lithium-ion battery is also along for the ride, which should produce an all EV driving range of of around 63kms.

Also available are two mild-hybrid powertrains, the first being a 3.3-litre turbo-petrol paired with a 48-volt hybrid system, delivering 209kW and 450Nm. A 3.3-litre turbodiesel then produces 187kW and 550Nm.

All-wheel drive is standard fit, as is an eight-speed automatic, and Mazda says all trim levels will feature Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, advanced keyless entry and wireless device charging.

“The CX-60 represents a whole new chapter for Mazda and introduces a series of firsts for the brand: an all-new platform; full plug-in hybrid technology; rear-biased all-wheel drive and state-of-the-art longitudinal powerplants,” says Mazda Australia Managing Director, Vinesh Bhindi.

“All of this is wrapped in our beautifully restrained Kodo Design evolution, and as we draw closer to the local introduction of this authentically premium vehicle, the 14,500+ expressions of interest we have already received are a clear indication of the level of anticipation that already surrounds Mazda CX-60.”

What’s the Mazda CX-60 like to drive? Find out here