Mazda EZ-6 design sparked controversy, lost the "soul of motion" gene?
Mazda, as an automaker with a long history, has always been known for its unique design concept and excellent driving experience. The recently exposed new pure electric model EZ-6 has caused widespread controversy, and the exterior design has been accused of losing Mazda's consistent "soul of motion" design aesthetics, and is more like Changan Automobile's dark blue SL03.
The first pure electric model, developed by Mazda and Changan, was originally expected to be a pioneer in the field of new energy. As soon as it was exposed, its exterior design was questioned and criticized by fans.
The core of the controversy is that the overall shape of the EZ-6 has obvious similarities with the dark blue SL03, including the short tailgate design and eye-catching headlight shape, which makes people feel like a shell model of the dark blue SL03. This is a world away from Mazda's unique design philosophy.
What's even more disappointing is that the EZ-6 adopts a closed center grille design, completely abandoning the Mazda family's large-mouth grille. This design will undoubtedly affect the "soul-of-motion" temperament of the car, making it lose the sporty design style that Mazda has always pursued.
Mazda EZ-6 exterior design analysis: losing the "soul of motion" gene?
The exterior design of the Mazda EZ-6 is undoubtedly the focus of the most controversy. On the one hand, it retains the smooth body lines and sporty style of the Mazda family; On the other hand, some new design elements have been incorporated to make it look a bit out of place with traditional Mazda models.
The most striking thing is the front design of the EZ-6. It features a closed mid-grille shape that ditches Mazda's signature large-mouth grille. INSTEAD OF A GLOWING "MAZDA WINGS" TRIM STRIP, IT CREATES A SENSE OF TECHNOLOGY AND FUTURISM. This design technique also made many fans lament the loss of the "soul of motion" design concept.
Turning to the side of the car, we can see that the EZ-6 has an ultra-long body of 4921mm, coupled with the fastback roofline design, the overall appearance gives people a smooth and stretched "fashion coupe" visual effect. The EZ-6's piercing shoulder line is inspired by Mazda's classic sports models.
Another highlight is that the EZ-6 features a concealed door handle design that further enhances its sleek shape. This approach may be subject to some questioning in terms of practicality. The EZ-6's short front and rear overhangs also make it look shorter and sportier.
Finally, the EZ-6 has a unique continuous taillight design, inspired by the Mazda RX-VISION concept. Coupled with the tail shape similar to "ducktail", it undoubtedly further highlights the sporty genes of this car.
Can the EZ-6 design contribute to Mazda's new energy transition?
When it comes to the exterior design of the Mazda EZ-6, we can't simply judge whether it's good or bad. Any design requires trade-offs and trade-offs on many fronts. As the beginning of Mazda's transition to new energy, the design of the EZ-6 naturally needs to meet many practical needs.
From the front, although the design of the EZ-6 closed grille makes people feel that they have lost their "soul-of-motion" temperament, it is conducive to improving the aerodynamic performance of the vehicle, thereby extending the pure electric range. The illuminated "MAZDA WINGS" trim also adds a touch of technology to the front end.
As for the side of the body, the extra-long body and the fastback roofline are undoubtedly to obtain more interior space and meet the needs of family pure electric models for riding space. While the practicality of the concealed doorknob is questionable, it does further enhance the sleek shape.
At the rear, the continuous taillight design and "ducktail" shape are undoubtedly a tribute to Mazda's sports models, hoping to extend the sporty genes of the EZ-6.
The exterior design of the EZ-6 is a trade-off between attacking and retreating. It strives to retain the design elements of the Mazda family while also incorporating the practical design required for many new energy vehicles.
It is undeniable that the similarity between the EZ-6 and the dark blue SL03 is indeed too high, giving people a "copycat" feeling, which will undoubtedly affect the high-end image of the Mazda brand. But from another point of view, this "down-to-earth" design may make the EZ-6 more competitive in the new energy vehicle market.
The market performance of the EZ-6 is the key to the success of its design. If it can win over consumers with its excellent range, intelligent connectivity and handling, then this "half-swallowed" design may be a stopgap measure. Conversely, if the EZ-6 is tepid in the market, then Mazda will need to re-examine its design philosophy for the next generation of models.