2023 Mazda CX-50 (updated post #49)
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2023 Mazda CX-50 (updated post #49)
Mazda's upmarket push partly hinges on a new rear-wheel-drive architecture developed in-house. It's scheduled to enter production in 2022, and a new report claims an upcoming crossover called CX-50 will inaugurate it.
Australian magazine Wheels learned from anonymous sources that the CX-50 will make its global debut at the 2021 Los Angeles auto show, which will tentatively open its doors on November 19. We haven't seen the new crossover yet, but insiders stressed Mazda wants to reap the rewards of going through the trouble of creating a rear-wheel-drive platform by giving the CX-50 a short front overhang and a long hood. Its silhouette will be sportier than the CX-5's, and it will be the ideal backdrop on which to paint the next evolution of the elegant Kodo design language.
Building the CX-50 on rear-wheel-drive bones will allow Mazda to install its new straight-six engine between the fenders. Gasoline- and diesel-powered models will be available, though we're highly unlikely to receive the latter. The two engines will have a displacement of 3.0 and 3.3 liters, respectively, according to the same source. Both will spin the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel-drive will be optionally available.
The six-cylinders will work with 48-volt mild-hybrid technology. The palette of available powertrains will also include a plug-in system built around a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, but it doesn't sound like SkyActiv-X engines will be offered.
Mazda has confirmed it's about to add a rear-wheel-drive architecture to its arsenal, though it hasn't revealed how or when we'll see it. If the report is accurate, the Japanese firm will begin publishing details about the CX-50 in the coming months, and it will unveil the model in November 2020. Looking ahead, the platform will also underpin the successor to the Mazda6, which will be discontinued in the United States at the end of the 2021 model year.
Lower-volume models, including a crossover with a coupe-like roofline, are in the pipeline as well, but they'll come after Mazda renews its core range of cars and completes the leap upwards. Ultimately, the plan's success largely depends on how new products like the CX-50 are received in key markets, like the United States and China.
Wheels learned the CX-5 (pictured) won't get pushed out of the line-up by the CX-50. It will receive a round of updates in the not-too-distant future and carry on as a cheaper alternative to avoid alienating customers who want a Mazda without paying for a luxury car. Older engines and a front-wheel-drive platform will differentiate it from the 50.
Australian magazine Wheels learned from anonymous sources that the CX-50 will make its global debut at the 2021 Los Angeles auto show, which will tentatively open its doors on November 19. We haven't seen the new crossover yet, but insiders stressed Mazda wants to reap the rewards of going through the trouble of creating a rear-wheel-drive platform by giving the CX-50 a short front overhang and a long hood. Its silhouette will be sportier than the CX-5's, and it will be the ideal backdrop on which to paint the next evolution of the elegant Kodo design language.
Building the CX-50 on rear-wheel-drive bones will allow Mazda to install its new straight-six engine between the fenders. Gasoline- and diesel-powered models will be available, though we're highly unlikely to receive the latter. The two engines will have a displacement of 3.0 and 3.3 liters, respectively, according to the same source. Both will spin the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel-drive will be optionally available.
The six-cylinders will work with 48-volt mild-hybrid technology. The palette of available powertrains will also include a plug-in system built around a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, but it doesn't sound like SkyActiv-X engines will be offered.
Mazda has confirmed it's about to add a rear-wheel-drive architecture to its arsenal, though it hasn't revealed how or when we'll see it. If the report is accurate, the Japanese firm will begin publishing details about the CX-50 in the coming months, and it will unveil the model in November 2020. Looking ahead, the platform will also underpin the successor to the Mazda6, which will be discontinued in the United States at the end of the 2021 model year.
Lower-volume models, including a crossover with a coupe-like roofline, are in the pipeline as well, but they'll come after Mazda renews its core range of cars and completes the leap upwards. Ultimately, the plan's success largely depends on how new products like the CX-50 are received in key markets, like the United States and China.
Wheels learned the CX-5 (pictured) won't get pushed out of the line-up by the CX-50. It will receive a round of updates in the not-too-distant future and carry on as a cheaper alternative to avoid alienating customers who want a Mazda without paying for a luxury car. Older engines and a front-wheel-drive platform will differentiate it from the 50.
Last edited by Hoovey689; Nov 16, 2021 at 07:27 AM.
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It's good news the CX-50 is pending. Hopefully the I6 find it's way into the IS350. With the move to drop CX-3, CX-30 will be their entry level, CX-5 will carry on alongside the CX-50. I wonder if this means we'll see a CX-70 or the CX-9 turning into the CX-90.
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Unlike the mythical sedan, there are actual shots of this thing's prototype running around. The proportions remind me a lot of the MDX- it doesn't scream RWD with the massive front overhang, but we'll see if this is indeed the rumored vehicle.
Mazda has apparently trademarked CX nameplates from CX-10 all the way up to CX-90, so its quite likely, but they also may have just trademarked them so nobody else could use them. I'm very happy with my CX-9, but if they gave the existing CX-9 the same treatment and put it on this new platform, I can definitely see myself trading my 9 in for a 90.
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If they are doing a RWD CUV for some reason that pretty much guarantees they will also bring out that RWD sedan to try to spread out costs for that RWD platform, CUV buyers don't really care about RWD, the proportions and balance are barely noticeable in big clunky CUV's, a sedan or coupe/sports car is what really benefits from a RWD platform.
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If they are doing a RWD CUV for some reason that pretty much guarantees they will also bring out that RWD sedan to try to spread out costs for that RWD platform, CUV buyers don't really care about RWD, the proportions and balance are barely noticeable in big clunky CUV's, a sedan or coupe/sports car is what really benefits from a RWD platform.
They've got plenty of crossovers they can build on this new platform that will each sell more than their entire sedan lineup combined.
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‘Mazda has been trying to appeal to up market while Mercedes has an onslaught of cheaper FWD models. Once the Mazda6 is out….Mercedes will have more FWD sedans than Mazda. An A class definitely compares to the demographic and buyer of Mazda.
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You don't know if "nobody" is going to buy a RWD I6 Mazda sedan or coupe/sports car spun off that platform too for that matter. It will likely sell if it has really good power and performance that undercuts entry level lux sedans 4 cylinders and likely has better styling if they get the basics right. Remember in the early 2000's when Infiniti sales sucked and they were dismissed as a luxury/performance brand/dying until the G35 came out and they sold droves of the sedan and coupe, the 2nd Gen M45 sold very well too because they got the packages/price right and the public responded, that happened with the Hyundai Genesis sedan/G80 too. The public will respond if they see something special and if they get the pricing right, it also could be a very big image boost for Mazda which is very important, Mazda does intend to go upmarket.
