Changan Mazda has announced a technical update for its CX-6e electric vehicle by adding a LiDAR system to the EZ-60 Laser Edition in China. The update gives the vehicle assisted-driving functions classified as “advanced L2,” along with navigation on autopilot (NOA) and automated parking, without turning it into a fully autonomous vehicle.
The CX-6e is the result of Mazda’s partnership with Chinese company Changan Auto. It is the partnership’s second electric vehicle and the first model Mazda describes as global, after being introduced in Asian, European and other markets during the current year. The vehicle uses a 190-kilowatt rear electric motor, equivalent to 258 horsepower, with a lithium iron phosphate battery having a capacity of 77.94 kilowatt-hours and a claimed range of approximately 600 kilometers.
Multi-Sensor System
The new version does not rely on LiDAR alone, but combines it with 11 high-definition cameras, 12 ultrasonic sensors and three additional millimeter-wave radars. Changan Mazda says this combination provides comprehensive perception of the surrounding environment on highways and in urban areas, with the ability to handle cars, bicycles and pedestrians even in less-than-ideal visibility conditions.
The data is sent to the vehicle’s computers to make assisted-driving decisions. On highways, the announced functions include lane-change assistance, obstacle avoidance, entering and exiting ramps, and reaching and leaving service areas, within a speed range of zero to 130 kilometers per hour. The system can also suggest the timing of lane changes and ramp merging based on navigation data.
Urban Navigation and Emergency Braking
In cities, the vehicle relies on Tencent lane-level navigation and an end-to-end technical architecture to handle situations such as other vehicles entering the lane, detours caused by construction work and narrow passages. The company says a “follow-up tour” function will be added through an over-the-air update to help the vehicle follow a group of vehicles while driving.
The automatic emergency braking (AEB) system includes announced operating ranges for different scenarios: stopping the vehicle in front of stationary objects at speeds of up to 110 kilometers per hour, detecting pedestrians in the longitudinal direction at up to 90 kilometers per hour, and handling crossing pedestrians and cyclists at up to 60 kilometers per hour. The company also cites the ability to handle the sudden appearance of pedestrians and crossing vehicles at up to 50 kilometers per hour, combining braking with evasive steering when a complete stop is not possible.
Why Does This News Matter?
The update represents a move from adding a new sensor to building a multi-source perception system, an important trend in China’s electric-vehicle market, where manufacturers compete over navigation and assisted-driving functions in cities and on highways. However, describing the system as “autonomous driving” requires careful interpretation: the announced classification is L2, meaning the driver remains responsible for monitoring and control, and the vehicle’s full autonomy is not established.
The company placed the new system in 11 high-risk scenarios during government-approved safety tests, including narrow mountain roads and nighttime driving on wet highways. After passing them, the EZ-60 Laser Edition received the TOP Intelligence Intelligent Safety Challenge certification from CATARC. The source does not specify when this version will become available in other markets, and the CX-6e is not currently sold in the United States; therefore, the transfer of its navigation functions or their regulatory approval outside China cannot be assumed.