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Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor
@ytimesmotoring
1:00 AM 20th April 2024
cars

Mazda’s New Flagship CX-80 Model Unveiled

 
Mazda has revealed the all-new Mazda CX-80, the latest model from Mazda’s Large Product Group, which includes the Mazda CX-60 and North American market CX-70 and CX-90 SUVs. All models share the same longitudinal front-engine rear-wheel drive mechanical layout.

Arriving in the UK later this year, the all-new Mazda CX-80 is the new flagship of the Mazda line-up in Europe, sitting above the CX-60 in Mazda’s award-winning SUV range. Featuring three-row seating it’s the most spacious SUV ever offered by Mazda in Europe and with its high-quality cabin, technically advanced drivetrains and elegant design is created to challenge established premium brands in the European market.

Powered by the same engines as the Mazda CX-60, there is a choice of plug-in hybrid - which combines a Skyactiv-G 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with a 129kW electric motor and a 17.8 kWh high-capacity battery – or Mazda’s advanced in-line six-cylinder 254ps 3.3-litre e-Skyactiv D diesel engine. Across both powertrain options, the Mazda CX-80 is exclusively matched to all-wheel drive.

Dimensionally, the all-new Mazda CX-80 sees the wheelbase grow by 250mm compared to the CX-60 to deliver the space needed for a practical three-row interior. Furthermore, to ensure passenger comfort, the CX-80 is 26mm taller than the CX-60. However, with an identical width to the CX-60, the CX-80 retains familiar styling and nose on profile of its smaller sibling.

Offered in the UK across five highly specified grades: Exclusive-Line, Homura, Takumi, Homura Plus and Takumi Plus with option packs to allow customers to tailor their seat layouts and equipment, full pricing and UK specification of the Mazda CX-80 will be announced later, but prices will start from £48,920 with across the range a price walk of around £3,500 from an equivalent Mazda CX-60.

With maximum customer choice in mind when the CX-80 arrives in the UK it will be offered with a choice of three middle row configurations: a three-person bench seat, two captain’s seats with a walk-through space or two captain’s seats with a fixed centre console. The seven-seat layout with the middle row-bench will be standard and is expected to be the biggest seller in the UK, while the two different six seat layout configurations will be optional.

Crucially, thanks to the CX-80’s increased wheelbase, shoulder room, headroom, hip point spacing and front to second row couple distance measurements have all increased compared to the CX-60. While full UK specification of the all-new Mazda CX-80 will be announced later, new to Mazda highlights include Alexa* in-car voice control of music, air-conditioning, navigation and third-party apps.

Viewed from the front the all-new Mazda CX-80 is visually matched to its CX-60 sibling but it’s in profile where the expression of elegance has been refined by taking full advantage of the CX-80’s increased length to create an imposing and cohesive design. The extended side windows feature thicker surrounds that are straighter at the D Pillar to emphasise the presence of the third-row of seating, while the seamlessly integrated roof rails further highlight the length of the CX-80’s cabin.

The all-new Mazda CX-80 also sees the introduction of two new Mazda paint colours to the UK market: Artisan Red and Melting Copper. Like the ever-popular Soul Red Crystal colour, Artisan Red is another colour created with Mazda’s Takuminuri painting technology. Well suited to a large vehicle, Artisan Red evokes even deeper refinement than Soul Red Crystal with is darker and deeper shade of red, while Melting Copper suggests light sandblasting to the surface of copper than has been melted and hardened again. In all, the Mazda CX-80 will be offered in nine body colours: Jet Black, Deep Crystal Blue, Platinum Quartz, Arctic White, Rhodium White, Machine Grey, Soul Red Crystal, Artisan Red and Melting Copper.

Commenting on the all-new Mazda CX-80, Jeremy Thomson, Managing Director, Mazda Motors UK, said:
“The all-new Mazda CX-80 is our new flagship SUV, a car that sits at the very top of our range in the UK, it will offer a unique blend of space, practicality, luxury and stand-out design. It combines progressive design anchored in Japanese aesthetics with outstanding on-board accommodation that delivers quality, style, flexibility and superior technology, all combined with the signature driving performance delivered by every Mazda.

"The all-new Mazda CX-80 is a car that will allow us to challenge the established premium brands in the UK market with a luxury SUV that is the most spacious car in Mazda’s European line-up. This opens the Mazda brand up to UK customers who need the space and practicality of a three-row large SUV, so we can’t wait for the car to arrive with our dealers this autumn, where it will join our award-winning SUV line-up.”