Mazda’s Sexy New Sedan Raises Its Spoiler For The Camera

Spy photographers have caught just a few images of a new sedan being tested by Mazda, but despite the fleeting glance, there’s no doubt that we’re looking at the reincarnated Mazda 6 Sedan. The wheel design is a dead giveaway for the Japanese automaker, but the sharp nose with its narrow headlights is also a clue to the car’s origin, as are the semicircular graphics in the taillights.

While this prototype is completely covered in vinyl, the silhouette, lighting units, and adaptive trunk spoiler all tell us we’re looking at a pre-production version of the Mazda EZ-6, previewed at Auto China in April. The EZ-6 was initially meant for China only, but Mazda recently said it would become a “global model.”

A Different Name Seems Likely

When Mazda revealed the car, it said the EZ-6 would be offered as both a fully electric vehicle and a plug-in hybrid. Whichever this is, its arrival in Europe is no surprise; what remains to be seen is if Mazda’s supposedly global plans include the US. Thanks to 102% tariffs on Chinese-made EVs, the automaker would need to find a way of producing this car elsewhere if the Mazda 6 is to have a revival story in America.

Trademark filings suggest that a new sedan may get the name Mazda 6e, and this would definitely work better than the current three-character name. Should it come to America, its chief rivals would be the BMW i4, Polestar 2, and Tesla Model 3, but more competition may be on the way soon – Kia is considering reintroducing the Stinger as an EV.

Expected Range On Par For The Segment

The all-electric model is expected to be capable of roughly 370 miles of range, but that’s been calculated on the optimistic CLTC cycle, and Europe’s WLTP system is only a little stricter. Still, that’s the ballpark Mazda will need to aim for if it is to enter the US market.

The BMW i4 manages up to 307 miles on the EPA cycle and the Polestar 2 can do up to 276 miles, but the Tesla Model 3 is rated as high as 358 miles. Sadly, the odds are stacked against this attractive sedan reaching America, despite the fact that the old Mazda 6 remains popular in other parts of the world.