Anyone who has had their driver’s license for more than a half hour has likely muttered things under their breath to the drivers around them or pedestrians darting in front of their vehicle. Generally, it’s a good thing those utterances aren’t shared.
Mazda’s new CX-6e, however, includes a feature that lets peoplesend audio messages beyond the driver’s seat into the outside world via an external speaker. And it didn’t take long for drivers to figure out there wasn’t a filter on what could and couldn’t be said.
The CX-6e, it’s worth noting, is not sold in the U.S. at this time. It’s a midsized, electric SUV that’s meant for drivers in China, for the most part. It’s also sold in Europe and Australia. And that’s where test drivers figured out they could use the vehicle as a microphone for their road rage.
The external announcement function comes with several pre-recorded messages, which could prove useful for drivers, ranging from “hey buddy, I’m here” when you arrive to pick up a rider to “please look up and focus on the road, stay safe” if you spot someone looking at their phone while they drive. (That last one might earn you a less than warm reply from the other driver, even if they’re unable to deliver it without rolling down their window.)
Drivers can also type their own phrases into the car’s dashboard, though, and save those as shortcuts on the touchscreen. That’s where the lack of filter comes through.
Reviewers at Drive.com in Australiaput the car through its foul-mouthed paces, successfully implanting messages such as “Get out of the -ing way,” which the car then broadcasts through the speakers in the soft-measured tones of a human resources professional.
How long the car will continue to be able to be programmed to sound like a sailor on shore leave is questionable, as Mazda can likely send across a software patch to temper the vehicle’s language. And given that the car is still in pre-orders, that’s likely something that may well be adjusted before they’re delivered to customers.
The CX-6e is Mazda’s latest attempt to break into the EV market. Its first effort the MX-30 fell short, traveling just 100 miles before needing a recharge. Before it was discontinued in the U.S., it soldless than 600 vehicles here. The company does not currently offer any EVs in the American market, but does have hybrids available.
The CX-6e will sell forroughly $56,000 in Europe. It’s expected to show up in dealer showrooms later this month.
Chris Morris is a US based veteran journalist with more than 35 years of experience at many of the biggest digital news outlets. In addition to his activities as a writer, reporter and editor, Chris is also a frequent moderator and speaker at major conferences, including CES and South by Southwest.
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