Will the Mazda 6e come here now that it has been confirmed for Australia?
The highly anticipated Mazda 6e (also known as the Mazda EZ-6 in China) is officially on its way to Australia, marking a significant milestone for Mazda’s global electric vehicle (EV) strategy. This sleek new electric sedan is the product of a strategic joint venture between Mazda and Changan Automobile, and its confirmed right-hand-drive (RHD) production is raising serious hopes for its arrival in Malaysia
Australian Launch Sets Global Precedent
Mazda Australia is positioning the Mazda 6e as the successor to the popular Mazda6 sedan. The car is expected to debut around mid-2026, with provisional specifications including a 190kW rear-mounted motor, a 78kWh LFP battery, and a driving range of over 500km.
- RHD Production Confirmed: RHD production has been secured for markets like the United Kingdom and Thailand, solidifying the business case for Australia.
- Media Teasers and Testing: Australian media has already had the opportunity to look at a pre-production version of the electric sedan. Prototypes have been spotted undergoing rigorous local testing in Australia to ensure the suspension and dynamics meet local standards.
- Targeting EV Leaders: With a targeted starting price of under $55,000 AUD, the 6e is laser-focused on taking on segment leaders like the Tesla Model 3 and BYD Seal.
A Global Car with Joint-Venture DNA
The Mazda 6e’s (or EZ-6’s) development is a collaborative effort between teams at Changan-Mazda’s Nanjing R&D center, Mazda’s HQ in Hiroshima, and Mazda Europe. This co-development approach was designed to meet each region’s product preferences.
The electric sedan embodies Mazda’s low-drag Kodo design language while offering an electrified version of its signature Jinba-Ittai handling philosophy.
Key specifications and features, based on the EZ-6/6e globally, include:
- Powertrain: Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) and Extended-Range EV (EREV) options are available in the Chinese market. Global markets focus on the BEV variant.
- Range: The BEV model has an estimated electric range of 600 km under CLTC standards, with a promised range of over 500 km for the Australian model.
- Tech-Forward Interior: The cabin is a significant departure for the brand, featuring a large 14.6-inch central screen powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chip. It also boasts a 14-speaker Sony sound system, front “zero-gravity” seats, and a massive 50-inch AR head-up display (AR-HUD).
Malaysia’s EV Hopes and the Bermaz Equation
The confirmation of RHD production for markets like Thailand and Australia gives Malaysian enthusiasts a strong reason to anticipate the 6e’s arrival. In Malaysia, Mazda vehicles are distributed by Bermaz Auto Berhad (BAuto). The Mazda 6e shares its underlying EPA1 architecture with Changan’s Deepal models. There were previous rumors that Bermaz was appointed as the official importer and distributor for the Deepal EV brand in Malaysia.
It is currently unclear whether the plan for Bermaz to introduce Deepal has been put on hold, and what impact this may have on the possibility of bringing in the Mazda 6e. As with any EV in the Malaysian market, for the Mazda 6e to be competitively priced against rivals, it would likely need to be locally assembled (CKD). Bermaz has yet to make an official confirmation regarding the 6e’s local launch.
