A BEST-selling Japanese car brand will take on Tesla in Europe with a new EV saloon that could have up to 700 miles of range.
The model is the first of its kind for the manufacturer and was originally only intended to be sold in China.
In fact, makers Mazda didn’t base the car on any of its existing models, making it technically unique in its lineup.
Instead, the motor was based on a design from Chinese EV firm Changan as part of a joint venture between the two.
But the companies have now changed course and will bring the EZ-6 saloon to Europe in the near future, according to Autocar.
The two brands have now signed an “agreement on electric vehicle export co-operation”, which sees Changan become Mazda’s “exclusive Chinese new-energy R&D and production base facing the global market”.
With sales in both Asia and now Europe, the EZ-6 will now become the company’s first global EV.
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Currently, Mazda only produces one EV, the MX-30, exclusively for the European market.
Pricing for the new car has not yet been confirmed amid the imposition of heavy tariffs on Chinese-made electric cars in the EU.
However, it is expected to be positioned as a rival for the Tesla Model 3, which retails from £39,000.
There is also no word on whether the model will make it to UK shores, but Autocar reports that this is being considered.
Another interesting avenue being explored is the introduction of a range-extender (REx) drivetrain already used in the Chinese variant.
This involves a small combustion engine twinned with a pair of electric motors to provide a far more eco-friendly motor without relying totally on EVs.
It’s similar to a hybrid system but, unlike hybrids, positions the electric motors as the primary driving force, backed up by petrol power.
This version of the EZ-9 is expected to come with a range of more than 700 miles.
Meanwhile, the full EV version is set to manage a still very impressive 373 miles.
It comes after we gave readers a look at the world’s most futuristic motorway, featuring robotrams and a shopping mall, that’s currently under construction in Dubai.
