Mazda won't tailor its new models to Australian roads

The upcoming Mazda CX-70 and CX-80 will follow their CX-60 and CX-90 platform-mates by going without a local ride and handling tune.

That’s despite feedback from journalists and some Australian customers about the CX-60 and CX-90’s suspension setup being too harsh.

Mazda says foregoing a local tune for these models is consistent with its other vehicles.

“Whatever feedback we get from our customers, and of course from [motoring journalists], always is passed on to the right channels back to the factory,” Mazda Australia managing director Vinesh Bhindi told CarExpert.

“[The engineers] are satisfied they’ve delivered on their targets, but saying that, with every product there’s a constant evolution, improvement, changes that goes on behind the scenes every day of the year.

“They’ll consider the feedback and figure out from an engineering point of view what they want to achieve.”

Despite this, Mazda Australia hasn’t confirmed any specific upcoming changes to the CX-60 and CX-90.

“[Our engineers’] desire is always to be a bit more of a sporty, firm, Jinba-Ittai type of drive, so they’ll remain true to that, and what that means based on the feedback, you’ll see constant evolution of our products,” said Mr Bhindi.

Jinba-Ittai is a Japanese term Mazda likes to use, referring to the connection between a horse and its rider.

While the CX-80 has yet to be officially revealed, it has been confirmed for Australia. It’s a three-row counterpart to the CX-60, which has been developed with markets like Japan and Europe front of mind.

The CX-70, in contrast, is a two-row version of the wider, North America-focused CX-90 flagship.

All models ride a new rear/all-wheel drive platform called the Large Architecture, and feature new inline six-cylinder petrol and diesel mild-hybrid powertrains.

The CX-60 is also offered with a 2.5-litre plug-in hybrid four-cylinder powertrain, and Mazda Australia has said plug-in hybrid versions of the CX-70 and CX-90 are on its wish list.

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