Revival of a Legend: Mazdaspeed 6 Goes Electric
Today, Mazda cannot boast a powerful lineup of sports cars, especially considering its glorious past with the Mazdaspeed3, Mazdaspeed6, and the iconic RX-7 and RX-8. The only model that continues to delight enthusiasts is the MX-5 Miata, but everything else is history from the era of rotary engines.
This sparked an idea: what if the recently revived Mazda Spirit Racing (MSR) division took on the fully electric Mazda 6e? There are currently no official confirmations of such a vehicle being developed, but we imagined what it could look like and evaluated its potential specifications.
Restrained yet Aggressive Design
Mazda’s designers created a true masterpiece by reworking the Deepal platform for the 6e/EZ6, earning the model the prestigious “World Car of the Year Design” award in 2026. We didn’t drastically change the concept; instead, we made the car lower, wider, and added aerodynamic elements.
Up front — a closed grille with a red honeycomb pattern, a redesigned bumper with deeper side air intakes, and a pronounced splitter for improved handling. On the sides, widened wheel arches, large dark wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport 5 tires, and sculpted side skirts add aggression.
The rear features a large retractable spoiler, tinted taillights, and a diffuser that looks functional.
Sporty Luxury Inside the Cabin
We redesigned the interior in a “sport-luxury” style. Nappa leather seats received enhanced lateral support and RS-style inserts. A thick steering wheel, aluminum pedals, and unique instrument cluster graphics emphasize the sporty character.
Considering the standard model’s criticism for over-reliance on the touchscreen, our version brings back physical buttons below the display. The interface gains telemetry and customizable driving modes.
Improved Handling
The standard 6e on the Changan platform with rear-wheel drive did not impress critics with its handling. We believe this can be fixed with stiffer bushings, a lower ride height, and a recalibrated electric power steering system.
Other updates may include adaptive dampers, thicker anti-roll bars, and larger brakes with 8-piston calipers. The electric motors’ torque vectoring would go beyond the standard G-Vectoring Control software, improving turn-in and exit speed.
Variable driving modes will range from comfort to track, featuring aggressive regeneration, simulated gear shifting, a “boost” mode, and a stability system that allows slight rear-axle slip.
Dual Power
Unlike the donor model, the Spirit Racing 6e will have two electric motors with a combined output of up to 536 horsepower (400 kW). It will feature all-wheel drive with adjustable torque bias to the rear axle. Acceleration to 60 mph (96 km/h) will take approximately 3 seconds.
The battery pack remains the same — a 78 kWh lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) unit, providing a range of up to 430 miles (550 km) on the WLTP cycle. Fast DC charging will allow replenishing the charge from 10% to 80% in 24 minutes.
Market Competitors
If the Mazda 6e MSR became a reality, its main rivals would be the Tesla Model 3 Performance and Hyundai Ioniq 6 N, rather than the future four-motor BMW iM3. Other competitors would include the Polestar 2, BYD Seal Performance, and MG IM5 Performance.
Is it worth reviving the spirit of Mazdaspeed with the electric 6e? We look forward to your opinion.
This concept shows that even in the world of electric vehicles, Mazda could find a way to reclaim its glory as a manufacturer of true driver’s cars. Instead of simply copying the competitors’ recipe, the company could focus on what has always made it special — handling and driving emotions. Electrification provides new tools for this, such as precise torque vectoring and instant throttle response. If Mazda decides to pursue this path, it could create not just a fast, but a truly thrilling electric vehicle that would be a worthy successor to the legendary models of the past.