New Mazda CX-80 SUV Design Leaked in Patent Images

It is no secret that Mazda is planning to replace the ongoing CX-8 three-row SUV with a new model since the marque stopped its production in Japan last year. Touted as the CX-80, this new three-row SUV will complete the marque’s new Large Product Group (LPG) lineup, which currently consists of the CX-60, the CX-90, as well as the newly-launched CX-70.

Leaked patent images reveals the new CX-80 to boast similar styling cues as the CX-60

Ahead of its timely debut, however, several images of the CX-80 have surfaced online, showcasing the car’s design for the very first time. Published via the official website of the Japan Platform for Patent Information (J-PlatPat), it appears that the CX-80 is essentially a stretched-out version of the CX-60, just like how the CX-8 is an extended version of the CX-5.

While both its front and rear ends look painstakingly similar to the CX-60, the CX-80 boasts a slightly longer wheelbase and some minor alterations to its side profile in order to accommodate the extra row of seats. Besides the longer wheelbase, the CX-80 also comes with a longer rear overhang.

Despite growing lengthwise, it seems that the CX-80 retains the same width as the CX-60, judging by the similar side fender and bumper profiles the SUV boasts. For reference, the CX-60 measures 1,890 MM wide, which is 104 MM narrower than the CX-90.

The upcoming CX-80 is expected to get the same powertrain options as the CX-60, featuring both petrol and diesel MHEVs and a single PHEV variant

On the powertrain front, there was no announcement by Mazda regarding the CX-80’s setup, though we can expect it to use the same mild hybrid (MHEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain setups as the CX-60. For the MHEV variants, the CX-60 uses 3.3-litre inline-six turbo and diesel engines as the powertrain core, both mated to a 48-volt MHEV system to deliver 280 HP and 450 NM on the former and 251 HP and 500 NM on the latter. Meanwhile, the CX-60 PHEV’s 2.5 litre 4-cyl setup boasts a total system output of 323 HP and 500 NM.

Besides both the CX-60 and CX-80, Mazda's SUV lineup also features the CX-70 (top-left), CX-90 (top-right), as well as the CX-30 (bottom-left) and the CX-50 (bottom-right)

With both the CX-8 and CX-9 heading for retirement, both the new CX-80 and CX-90 will be the marque’s three-row SUV options, accompanied by the CX-60 and CX-70 as their sportier, two-row alternatives. Besides the Large Product Group series and both the CX-30 and CX-50, Mazda’s comprehensive SUV lineup also consists of the ageing CX-3 and CX-5, with the latter set to be replaced by a new model in the near future.

While the CX-60 (left) is set to arrive later this year, we can also expect Bermaz Auto to replace the ongoing CX-8 (right) with the new CX-80 some time in the future.

As for market availability, the upcoming CX-80 is set to debut in several right-hand drive (RHD) markets, including Japan and Australia. For the Malaysian market, local Mazda brand custodian Bermaz Auto has implicitly confirmed that the CX-60 is set to make its debut later this year, making it the first LPG-based model to be sold officially here. With the CX-8 already axed in its native Japanese market, perhaps it is time for Bermaz Auto to replace it with the new CX-80.