- Mazda is working on an all-new EV, which could debut in 2027.
- Model is slated to ride on a new platform developed in-house.
- The mule suggests the model will be a CX-50-sized crossover.
Mazda’s EV push got off to a rough start as the MX-30 only survived two years in America. It was offered exclusively in California, and the company only sold 324 units in 2022.
More of an oddity than anything else, the 2023 model started at $34,110 and featured a tiny 35.5 kWh battery pack that provided 100 miles (161 km) of range. Besides being more expensive than competitors while offering less range, the MX-30 had suicide rear doors and an electric motor developing 143 hp (107 kW / 145 PS).
More: 2026 Mazda CX-5 Grows Up And Gets A Hybrid Option
Following the failure of the MX-30, Mazda leaned on Chinese partners for the EZ-6 and EZ-60. While those are fine for certain markets, the company needed to create a ‘proper’ EV.
We’re now getting our first look at it as a mule was recently spied undergoing testing near the company’s research and development center in Irvine, California. As you can see, the model wears a heavily modified body sourced from the CX-70 or CX-90.
The front end is disguised, but features a fully enclosed grille as well as blocked off air curtains. We can also see a relatively small central intake.
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Bigger changes occur aft of the A-pillar as the mule has a shorter wheelbase than the CX-90 as well as a significantly shorter rear overhang. The model also has third-quarter glass that is reminiscent of the CX-80. While it’s hard to judge the crossover’s size by pictures alone, spy photographers said it was about as big as the CX-50.
Speaking of size, the upcoming EV is narrower than the body suggests. A closer inspection reveals the wheels are tucked in considerably, and this means the upcoming production model will have shorter tracks than the CX-90. We can also see aerodynamic rims as well as a possible charging port hidden beneath a rear bumper flap.
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Little else is known about the model at this point, but Mazda announced plans for the Skyactiv EV Scalable Architecture way back in 2021. At the time, the company referred to it as a dedicated EV platform that would be introduced in 2025 and underpin “various vehicle sizes and body types.”
Mazda was originally planning to introduce several vehicles on the platform between 2025 and 2030. Needless to say, 2025 is almost up, and things have been delayed. It’s now believed the model could debut in 2027 and land stateside the following year.
