Mazda’s latest creation is here, and it looks even sharper than before. The 6e sedan already boasted sleek styling and a refined interior, but it was crying out for a sportier edge, think something along the lines of BMW’s M Sport trim. Well, Mazda listened and has finally delivered.

The Japanese automaker and Changan have come up with the EZ-6 Sports Edition for the Chinese market, EZ-6 being the Asian name for the car we in the West know as the 6e.

Related: 2026 Mazda 6e EV Debuts In Europe To Battle The Tesla Model 3

Black exterior brightwork, gloss black 19-inch alloy wheels and red brake calipers help the Sports Edition stand out from more laid-back EZ-6 models from the outside, and the performance vibe continues inside through the use of Alcantara upholstery and flashes of red on the seat stitching and seats.

Mazda has also added red backlighting for the interior surfaces and a mesh-look aplique for the console that looks very similar to the trim pattern used on sportier CX-60 grades. The same 14.6-inch infotainment screen used on other EZ-6/6es, a 50-inch augmented reality head-up display powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chip, and a 14-speaker Sony audio system come standard, according to Car News China.

Photos Mazda Changan

The Sports Edition was revealed at the Shanghai Auto Show last month but managed to slip under our radar. Mazda and Changan didn’t specify whether it was packing more power than the stock sedan, but we suspect this is merely a trim package. We also strongly suspect Mazda will very soon launch a similar trim option for the European market 6e – Car News China reports that the Sports Edition was jointly developed by Mazda and Changan in China and Mazda Europe.

We’ve asked Mazda Europe about the powertrain, whether the Sports Edition is coming west, and what it’ll be called if it does, and we’ll let you know when we hear more.

One thing that will definitely be different about the Chinese and Western versions is the choice of powertrains, even though production for both models takes place in the same Changan plant. China’s EZ-6 is available with either a 1.5-liter range-extender setup making 215 hp (218 PS / 160 kW) or a 255 hp (258 PS / 190 kW) pure-battery alternative, but Europe’s 6Es are EV-only.

Photos Mazda

Changan

Concept cars are all fun and games, but the percentage that make it to market in original form is very low. That figure ticked up just a touch today, though, as it appears like Mazda is going to bring the Arata concept to production almost unchanged. The production version will be called the EZ-60, at least in China, though it will wear a different badge in other markets. Mazda is hoping this one lands better than the underwhelming MX-30.

You might recall we recently reported that the European version of this electric SUV might end up being called the CX-6e. That tracks, because Mazda just pulled a similar move with the Chinese-market EZ-6 sedan, a car co-developed with its Chinese partner Changan, that’s being rebranded as the 6e in Europe. Since it’s built in China, it won’t be sold in North America.

More: Everything We Know About The Mazda CX-6e Electric SUV

Mazda released a short teaser to hype the EZ-60. The video shows the SUV’s silhouette rendered in digital wind tunnel graphics. In short, this crossover looks identical in profile to the Arata concept from the 2024 Beijing Auto Show. That car was aimed at the Chinese market and more specifically, the Tesla Model Y. Mazda called its design theme “soulful + futuristic x modern.”

In its post about the teaser video, Mazda stated, “Control the wind to shape the invisible, drive the electricity to the future.” No doubt, any EV benefits from good aerodynamic design and minimal drag. Clearly, Mazda is emphasizing that with the EZ-60.

A closer look at the teaser shows a long, teardrop-style rear section that should help cut through the air more efficiently. It’s noticeably more stretched out than current Mazda SUVs like the CX-50, CX-70, or CX-90. Inside, the EZ-60 will likely borrow heavily from the EZ-6 sedan’s cabin layout, which could mean a clean, minimalist setup with a few upscale touches to give it some premium feel.

Shared DNA with Deepal

At this point, Mazda hasn’t released drivetrain specs, but we have a decent idea of what to expect when details do land. Like the EZ-6 / 6e sedan, the EZ-60 will ride on Changan’s EPA1 platform, the same architecture underpinning the Deepal (a.k.a. Shenlan) SL03 sedan and the S7 SUV. That likely means the EZ-60 will share more than just a few bolts with the Deepal S7. Expect similar powertrain options and tech, including both all-electric and range-extender variants.

Related: New Mazda EZ-6 Is China’s Electric Mazda6 Sedan

Assuming it follows the EZ-6 / 6e’s formula, the EZ-60 / CX-6e may come in a standard E-Skyactiv EV setup with 254 horsepower and a 68.8 kWh battery, good for an estimated 300 miles (480 km) of range. There could also be a long-range version offering 241 hp and an 80 kWh battery, stretching the range to about 342 miles (550 km). For buyers not ready to go full electric, a range-extender version is also likely, using a 1.5-liter gasoline engine paired with a smaller battery pack to provide backup power when needed.

That’s the general roadmap for now. As soon as Mazda reveals more concrete details, we’ll keep you posted.