The All-New Mazda6e Looks Great, Brings Back Fond Memories – CleanTechnica

Sign up for daily news updates from CleanTechnica on email. Or follow us on Google News!

---

I have fond memories of Mazdas. Mazda had a significant footprint in Zimbabwe’s vehicle assembly sector during the heydays of auto assembly in Zimbabwe. During its peak era (from the 1980s to the late 1990s), vehicle assembly plants assembled about 20,000 vehicles per year. One of the main plants during that time was Willowvale Mazda Motor Industries (WMMI). The original assembly plant, Willowvale Motor Industries (WMI), was established in 1961 when Ford Motor Corporation of Canada imported a complete assembly plant to assemble Ford motor vehicles for the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland (modern day Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Malawi). The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) bought the company in 1967 for contractual assembly.

WMI was later restructured into an automotive group called Motec Holdings under a joint venture partnership between Industrial Development Corporation of Zimbabwe (IDCZ), Mazda Corporation of Japan, and Itochu Corporation (C Itoh & Co then) of Japan — thus, WMMI was born. During the tenure of the agreement, between 1989 and 2014, WMMI, concentrated on assembling the Mazda brand, achieving significant gains in productivity. WMI says over the years the partnership contributed to the enhancement of production capacity, quality, and skills development to enable the company to produce world class vehicles for Zimbabwe and the region.

Some of the models assembled in Zimbabwe during that period were the following:

• First- and second-generation Mazda 3
• Mazda T3500 light truck
• Mazda BT-50 4×2 and 4×4 pickup trucks
• Mazda B1800-B2200 Series pickup trucks
• Mazda Familia (323 GL hatchback and GLX sedan)
• Mazda 323 hatchback and sedan
• Mazda 626 GL 1^st Generation
• Mazda 626 Standard and GLX Executive

With all of these models being assembled in Zimbabwe, it was quite common for most families that had cars to have one of their vehicles being a Mazda during that era. In fact, due to import restrictions meant to promote uptake of locally assembled vehicles in the 1980s to the very early 1990s, most families had either a Mazda or a car from one of the other assembly plants, such as a Nissan or a Peugeot.

In the mid-1990s, my father had one of these Mazda 626 Executive sedans. It was a lovely car — very spacious for our family and quite comfortable too. We went on a lot of road trips all over Zimbabwe in that Mazda 626, including a 1,700 km round trip from Harare to Victoria Falls. My family was originally from the eastern border town of Mutare, but we had moved to the capital city, Harare, in the mid-1990s. This meant that we would take a lot of trips to visit family and friends in the Eastern Highlands in that Mazda 626. Harare is 263 km from Mutare. Trips to the Vumba Mountains and Nyanga were also regular features on our calendar. I was still in high school at the time, so of course my father would drop us at school every day in that Mazda 626.

That model of the Mazda 626 Executive Sedan was succeeded by the Mazda 626 GL First Generation, which was also assembled by WMMI in Harare. Later models such as the Mazda6, however, were not assembled in Zimbabwe. The economy had crumbled due to several factors, including prolonged periods of hyperinflation. Demand for brand new vehicles also dropped drastically when import restrictions were lifted, resulting in the influx of used vehicles from Japan that continues to today.

The Mazda brand is still strong in Zimbabwe, as a lot of people still drive Mazdas. These are mostly models such as the Mazda Verisa, Demio, Mazda 3, and Mazda6, mostly as 8-year-old used imports from Japan. Some corporates still buy brand new Mazda pickup trucks such as the BT-50. As you drive around Zimbabwe, you see various models of the Mazda6, as it is still quite popular here. This is why I was excited to see the all-new 100% electric Mazda 6e being launched in Europe. Hopefully this model will be launched in several African markets as well. Mazda says this new stylish electric hatchback with a fastback saloon style arriving in the UK in 2026 is the next chapter in Mazda’s EV story in Europe. Why 2026 and not now? This model is already available in other markets, such as China, in left-hand drive (LHD), but we probably have to wait a bit for the right-hand drive version. Mazda also revealed the car will go on sale in LHD European markets this year before arriving at UK dealers in the first half of 2026.

Mazda says in its press release that this all-new mid-sized electric car, the Mazda6e, brings a fresh take to the well-regarded internal combustion engine powered Mazda6, which across three generations from 2002 to 2023 was a popular model with European and UK customers. Mazda adds that the all-new Mazda6e represents a fresh take on its predecessors, featuring a modern flowing exterior, sleek cabin design, and Mazda’s famed focus on the experience from behind the wheel.

The longer range version gets an 80 kWh battery that enables a range of up to 345 miles, and with 244 ps reaches 62 mph in 7.8 seconds. Both versions produce the same 320 Nm of torque with a rear-wheel drive layout. The longer-range 80kWh Mazda6e will charge from 10 to 80 percent in 45 minutes.

Mazda says the Mazda6e was designed under the concept of “Electrifying Design Crafted to Perfection” and introduces the next evolution of Mazda’s “Kodo Soul of Motion” design philosophy. Mazda adds that its smooth, flowing lines and bold features give the car a strong yet refined presence. The low roofline and short-deck coupe silhouette offer a sporty and stylish look while at the same time keeping the functionality of a five-door hatchback. This is what I love about the Mazda6 and its predecessor, the Mazda 626. It’s a very practical 5-door vehicle.

Mazda says the smart driver-focused cockpit features a 14.6-inch touchscreen and a 10.2-inch instrument set, complemented by an augmented reality head-up display. Blending craftmanship, thoughtful design, and cutting-edge technology, the Mazda6e is the perfect car for the return of the Mazda6 as a BEV in the age of electrification, while a 330-litre boot, excellent passenger space, and 70-litre front boot ensure strong practicality.

Commenting on the reveal of the all-new Mazda6e, Jeremy Thomson, Managing Director of Mazda Motors UK, said: “the Mazda6e is the car our dealers have been waiting for, with a nod to the popularity of the Mazda6 it’s a real statement of intent for the future and illustrates how Mazda can bring great design, technology, and style to battery electric vehicles. And with the suspension, power steering and braking carefully calibrated by the team at Mazda Research Europe in Frankfurt to match European and UK preferences, I’m sure the Mazda6e will be an electric car that delivers the engaging driver experience you’d expect from Mazda.”

The Mazda 6e was co-developed with Changan Automobile using the same platform as Changan’s Deepal L07. Even in this age of new “New Energy Vehicle” brands, it still nice to see traditional brands that have a loyal following such as Mazda going electric. I cant wait to test drive this new Mazda6e.