MAZDA

Electric Mazda CX-6e to hit European showrooms this month

Developed in Europe in close collaboration with Mazda’s design team in Japan, the all-electric SUV explores new shapes and proportions, while remaining rooted in Mazda’s Kodo – Soul of Motion philosophy.

From the outset, the Mazda CX-6e’s development objective was clear: to create a vehicle that feels fresh, progressive and emotionally appealing, while remaining unmistakably Mazda. Designers were encouraged to break with established conventions and develop a more powerful, technical expression befitting a new generation of electric vehicles, guided by the Soulful Futuristic Modern design theme. Particular attention was paid to proportions, surface shaping and wheel design, creating a lighter and sportier look, while also emphasising the vehicle’s premium character and dynamic stance.

“One of our goals was to create a strong sense of tension that runs throughout the design. Elements such as the elongated silhouette, the floating D-pillar and the carefully sculpted surfaces of the body work together to create a sense of movement and energy, even when the vehicle is stationary,” said Bahram Partaw, Chief Designer at Mazda Motor Europe, Mazda’s European Research and Design Center.

The development of the CX-6e was marked by intensive collaboration between Mazda’s design teams in Europe and Japan. Through a series of design reviews and clay model-making and digital modeling sessions, ideas were continually refined and re-examined – from the first sketches to the vehicle ready for series production. This collaborative process allowed the designers to fuse fresh perspectives with Mazda’s established design heritage.

Throughout the project, a strong emphasis was placed on craftsmanship. Every surface, every line and every transition was carefully shaped to create an impression of precision and quality, reflecting the Japanese principle of Takumi craftsmanship. The goal was not just to create an aerodynamic and technologically advanced vehicle, but one that conveys warmth, authenticity and emotional appeal through its shape and details.

With the CX-6e, aerodynamics were built into the design from the start, not added later. Aerodynamic vents integrated into the front of the design direct airflow through the front grille and over the sculpted bonnet, while compact digital side mirrors contribute to the aerodynamic look and purity of the overall design. During the sketching phase, designers often draw vehicles without conventional exterior mirrors, so the digital mirrors were an opportunity to bring the original design vision as close as possible to the final production vehicle.

Jo Stenuit, Design Director at Mazda Motor Europe, said: “The CX-6e explores how Kodo can evolve while remaining instantly recognisable. Rather than changing the essence of Mazda’s design, we focused on finding new ways to express it through proportions, surface shaping and aerodynamic integration. The result is a vehicle that feels progressive while remaining true to Mazda’s design philosophy.”

The design of the optional 21-inch wheel also played a significant role in shaping the CX-6e’s character. Developed at Mazda’s European Research and Design Centre in Oberursel, the optional 21-inch wheel is designed to complement the vehicle’s progressive design while giving it a distinctive visual identity.

The all-new Mazda CX-6e will arrive in European showrooms in August 2026.

Autonews