14/09/2025

Contributing Editor Keshy Dhillon / keshy@piston.my Editorial

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SUNDAY | SEPT 14, 2025

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Driving perfection Mazda CX-60 a reminder of what good handling is all about

smoother power delivery. The other key highlight of the new platform is that it continues Mazda’s signature driving character which the brand has become synonymous with. For those who have never driven a Mazda, it is one of the nicest handling cars you can ever drive. That is why those that bought a Mazda, rarely sway from the brand. The new CX-60 continues this through many features such as improved bodyshell rigidity so that the driver can feel what the car is doing without delay. Explaining what Mazda has done needs an article by itself, so I really recommend driving a new Mazda to have a feel for yourself. Even the suspension (double wishbone front and multi-link link at the rear) has been fine tuned to stabilise the posture of the car when on the move. And new to the Mazda lineup in Malaysia is something called Kinematic Posture Control (KPC). This system was introduced by Mazda back in 2022 with the MX-5 and it works to counteract the forces of gravity and physics using intelligent software and sensors to give the driver better control. It works with the CX-60’s suspension and braking system by gently applying the brakes to the inner rear wheel when the system senses high G-forces in a corner. Mazda says this helps to pull the car down and stabilise it in corners by suppressing body roll. It is also intelligent enough to increase brake force in the event the driver accelerates through a corner. The result? Unmatched confidence in corners particularly long sweeping ones that tend to offset the balance of a car.

BY KESHY DHILLON

The large gaping grille is also new to Mazda’s Kodo design.

THERE are a few cars from Japan that represent the joy of driving. I am not talking about sports cars because we all know there are plenty of those from the land of the rising sun. But before going down this path for this article, I must acknowledge the greatness of the Honda Civic Type R, Nissan GT-R, Mazda MX-5, Toyota Supra and GR86. Even the Lexus LC and its glorious V8 deserves to be mentioned. Among many others of course. Not acknowledging them would be tantamount to blasphemy. I am instead talking about SUVs. When was the last time anyone spoke about SUVs from Japan that were fun to drive? There are many that are built well, have space age technology with immaculate craftsmanship and generally do what SUV’s are suppose to do really well. But a Japanese SUV that is fun to drive? That can only be a Mazda. In Malaysia, Mazda is represented by Bermaz Auto. And over the years Bermaz has done a stellar job with the brand. Not only are Mazda’s better received now than ever before, but even the aftersales service is brilliant. I am not just talking about this from a general perspective, but as an owner of a Mazda SUV. I have been driving a Mazda CX-5 2.5 Turbo for the past three years, and I love it. Sure, it is not as big as a Honda CR V and neither is it as cheap as some of models from China with their abundance of tech, but it is oh-so nice to drive. Who can argue against 220 horsepower under your right foot

with

all-wheel-drive

ensuring

engaging driving experience. The latter is partially achieved through a longitudinal engine with a rear-wheel-drive layout. The platform can also support all-wheel drive systems. The longitudinal engine layout also helps to balance the car as it is mounted north to south rather than east to west in the chassis. This allows for a more balanced weight distribution between the front axles. The new platform was also designed to accommodate a new range of engines, both regular internal combustion as well as plug in hybrids. One of the highlights of the new line of engines is a 3.3-litre, turbocharged, straight-six engine that is available in petrol and diesel variants. This has yet to be confirmed for the Malaysian market, but a preview has already been done. Other engines include a 2.5-litre, four-cylinder engine with a motor and battery as well as a mild-hybrid engine that is mated to a 48-volt system. The latter is said to assist the aforementioned straight-six engine to provide improved efficiency and

maximum grip at all times. Mazda’s now popular G-Vector Control makes the CX-5 feel like a hot-hatch. If it had 70 horsepower more, stiffer suspension and better brakes, it could give a Volkswagen Golf R a tough time in the right hands. But I am not here to gloat about the CX-5, I am here to talk about Bermaz Auto’s latest model, the CX 60. What is the CX-60 and why should you pay attention to it? The Mazda CX-60 can be defined as a mid-size crossover SUV. It sits five people and their luggage comfortably and was first introduced to the world back in 2022. I will explain why it took Bermaz so long to introduce the CX-60 to the Malaysian market later in the article. One of the things that makes the CX-60 a big deal is its platform. The SUV is the first Mazda to be built on the company’s new “Large Product Group” platform. This marks a significant departure from Mazda’s previous front-wheel drive platforms and is designed to create a more premium and