Think of this sports utility as a CX-60 with an extra seating row. And also as a CX-9 replacement.

POTENTIAL that Mazda’s New Zealand portfolio will feature the CX-80, a seven-seater bigger brother to Mazda’s incoming CX-60 model (above), could be more likely.

This comes after a neighbouring distributor with which New Zealand’s Auckland-based national operation very often co-operates with in product selection announced intent to take the model.

So new it has yet to revealed by Hiroshima, CX-80 builds off the same platform and technologies going into CX-60.

With that in mind, there’s every chance it will feature the six-cylinder petrol and four-cylinder plug-in hybrid petrol electric CX-60 coming here soon.

Mazda NZ has yet to offer comment on CX-80. So far all the regional market talking has come from Mazda Australia, which has suggested the CX-80 will sit alongside the CX-60 and larger CX-90.

The transtasman operation has also said it needs to the car because the largest car Mazda current sells, the family-minded CX-9 – designated a sports utility but more like a people carrier in theme – is about to cease production.

Reports say CX-80 is best considered to be a CX-60 with more; it’s a longer-body version designed to accommodate a third row of seats, but without the wide footprint of a full-size, seven-seat SUV.

A brief announcement from Mazda Australia today said arrival timing is yet to be sorted and that photos and specifications will be announced “later this year.”

The CX-9 is to be discontinued later in 2023 after seven years of the current model and 15 years as a nameplate locally.

The CX-8 that sells here is expected to remain in circulation, despite reports it will be dropped in its home market of Japan.

Available features are expected to include widescreen infotainment and instrument displays, heated and ventilated nappa leather seats, a panoramic sunroof, 20- or 21-inch alloy wheels, and standard all-wheel drive.