After the reveal of the Mazda CX-70 showed the model to essentially be a five-seat version of the CX-90 large SUV, patent images of the yet-to-launch CX-80 have been uncovered by a Japanese blog.
Rather than just a CX-60 with extra seats in the rear, however, the CX-80 appears to be a new third body shape, taking on just the ‘A-pillar-forward’ section of the CX-60 with a larger rear to accommodate the extra row.
Published and publicly available via Japanese patent viewing service J-PlatPat, the images show off the design of the CX-80 SUV in grayscale renders from multiple angles, one from the side showing the extended wheelbase of the CX-80 puts it at longer than the CX-60, but likely not the full length of the CX-70/-90.
While the CX-80s front design - down to the lights, grille and vents - is taken directly from the CX-60, it appears Mazda is using the same wheelbase and rear styling as the larger (and longer) SUVs as mentioned.
The CX-60 and -80 are both however still narrower than their CX-70 and -90 counterparts, the former being designed for markets like Japan and Europe, the latter for America.
It’s likely the CX-80’s drivetrain options will mirror the existing trio of engines available in the CX-60: a petrol or diesel version of the brand’s new 3.3-litre twin-turbo inline six-cylinder engine, or a 2.5-litre petrol four-cylinder with plug-in hybrid assistance.
Unlike most markets, Australia will receive all four SUVs in the Large Platform Group series.
Mazda Australia Managing Director Vinesh Bhindi told CarsGuide earlier this month, just after the CX-70 was revealed, that it’s a relatively unique position for Australia to be in.
"In the Large Platform, Mazda Corporation has got four nameplates. The majority of the bigger markets are getting only two - it's either 60 and 80, or 70 or 90," said Bhindi.
"Well, Australia, you know the small country, is the only one that's getting all four. And it's an exciting proposition. It's a privilege for us."
The four SUVs, in part, replace the popular CX-8 and CX-9 large SUVs once sold here, but the CX-5 - by far Mazda’s most valuable model by sales - will continue on in Australia ‘in some form’ rather than be succeeded by the CX-60.
"Maybe they'll call it something else, maybe call it CX-5. Let's not get into that discussion. But there is a product that will be [a continuation]," said Bhindi.
Comments