√Rear-wheel-drive Mazda 6 successor still unlikely on CX-60 chassis

A Mazda executive has provided the clearest indication yet the long-mooted rear-wheel-drive, six-cylinder replacement to the Mazda 6 sedan is not on the radar – for now.

Plans for a rear-wheel-drive replacement for the Mazda 6 mid-size sedan – on the same underpinnings as the CX-60 and CX-90 large SUVs – have taken one step further back from showrooms.

Reports out of Japan in recent years have claimed plans are underway for the six-cylinder engines and rear-wheel-drive ‘Large’ architecture below the new CX-60, CX-70, CX-80 and CX-90 SUVs to underpin a replacement for the decade-old Mazda 6 sedan.

However subsequent reports out of Europe over the past 12 months have poured cold water on plans for such a car, amid a decline in sedan sales globally, and Mazda’s focus on its more profitable, Large platform-based SUVs.

A Mazda executive has now all but ruled out plans for any other vehicles on the Large architecture apart from the four SUVs already confirmed – dashing hopes for a new Mazda 6 on the chassis.

When asked if the Large platform can support traditional passenger cars such as a Mazda 6 sedan, Mazda CX-90 program manager Mitsuru Wakiie told a group of Australian media: “Mazda has told we are going to provide CX-60, 90, 70 and 80. That is the answer I can give you.

When asked directly if those four SUVs are the only models that will ever be built on this architecture, Mr Wakiie told media through a translator: “Yes, with this platform we can provide CX-60, 70, 80 and 90.”

While Mr Wakiie appears to suggest a new Mazda 6 on the Large architecture is unlikely, he does not explicitly rule out a new model on different underpinnings.

The Japanese executive’s remarks follow comments from Mazda Europe development and engineering boss Joachim Kunz to UK magazine Autocar last year, that the four SUVs take priority over a new rear-drive sedan or sports car.

“It would be very nice… to have the FR [front-engine, rear-driven] concept and six-cylinder engine for a Mazda 6 successor or a large sports coupe. We would like to have it, but at this point in time, it’s most important to sell SUVs,” Mr Kunz told Autocar.

“This SUV trend is continuing, and even more for Mazda. It’s what’s selling best.”

Sales of the Mazda 6 have declined over the past decade as buyers shift to SUVs – and Mazda expands the number of high-riding vehicles it sells.

Mazda reported 1511 Mazda 6 sedans and wagons as sold in Australia last year – down from 3647 in 2017, and 6558 in 2012. In its first full year on sale (2003), about 12,700 Mazda 6s were reported as sold in Australia.

The current-generation model launched in 2012 has been given a number of updates over its decade on sale – including a heavy facelift in 2018, and specification updates with new features and model grades in 2021 and 2023.

Meanwhile, the new models on Mazda’s Large architecture are available with a range of inline six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines – most with turbochargers – and the option of four-cylinder plug-in hybrid power.

Power outputs in the largest vehicle of the quartet, the CX-90 seven-seater, are up to 254kW and 500Nm – about 80kW more than the turbo 2.5-litre four-cylinder in the top-of-the-range Mazda 6, and on par with six-cylinder engines from German luxury marques.

Most models on the Large platform revealed to date are fitted with standard all-wheel drive, however entry-level four-cylinder petrol versions of the five-seat CX-60 are rear-wheel drive.

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