July 17 will see the first examples of the Mazda EZ-6 roll off the production line. The EZ-6 is a medium-sized liftback and has been jointly developed by Mazda and Changan. Based on the Changan EPA platform there will be both pure electric and range-extended versions of the EZ-6.
Although the relationship with the Deepal SL03 is very apparent we can see that the Mazda EZ-6 does have some style of its own. Most noticeably the car adopts the Mazda front face with an irregular three-dimensional effect grille and slender headlight clusters. Chinese media refer to the car as a sedan but really it is a lift-back hatchback with a coupe-like design which has a rear roofline that flows into the tailgate. The car has concealed door handles and sporty-looking wheels – only available in 19-inches. At the back is a through-light design which links larger light clusters at the edges.
The Mazda EZ-6 is actually bigger than the Deepal SL03 (see specs) and is closer in size to the forthcoming Deepal L07. Dimensions are 4921, 1890, and 1485 mm (l/w/h) and the wheelbase is 2985 mm. The length is 101 mm longer than the SL03.
Once again the interior is quite heavily based on the Deepal donor car, however, the Mazda seems that much more refined in its execution. For the driver there is an LCD instrument screen and on the dashboard is a floating 14.6-inch central infotainment screen. We can see that the interior is largely devoid of buttons bar those on the steering wheel.
On the center console, there are two spaces for mobile phones but it looks like only one of them is wireless charging. Behind the pads Is a tandem drink holder unit followed by a cubbyhole. From the pictures, it seems as if there is a liberal use of leather and suede-like materials to wrap the cabin.
Controlling cabin functions is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chip. The car comes equipped with a 14-speaker Sony audio system, 64 color ambient lighting, front zero gravity seats which means that the seats can recline to a near-flat position, and the cockpit supports 13 scene mode switching. There is also a non-opening panoramic roof.
Currently, we still have no information about battery capacities or ranges. However, the range-extended EV version uses the same JL473QJ engine from Changan as the Deepal SL03. Peak power is 70 kW but the engine is only used as a range extender. Powering the wheels is a 160 kW electric motor mounted on the rear axle. The all-electric version uses a 190 kW MSED04 electric motor produced by Changan Mazda Engine Company Ltd and it is fitted to the rare axle. Both the EV and extended range EV will use lithium iron phosphate battery packs.
The Mazda EZ-6 should launch in the next few months. Prices are currently unknown but given that the car is bigger it should carry a price premium to the Deepal SL03 which currently ranges in price between 124,900 (17,170 USD) and 158,900 yuan (21,850 USD). The car is positioned as a China-only model and helps bring an EV option to the Mazda lineup.
Source: Autohome
