The Hiroshima-based automaker plans to introduce the CX-60 in Europe and Japan. It will be the lead-off model for a line of four crossovers built on a newly developed architecture for large vehicles that can accommodated inline 6-cylinder engines and rear-wheel drive setups.

Mazda launches several new crossovers this year, in an upmarket shift betting that going bigger is better.

The rollout makes good on a promise to resurrect the blade-twirling powerplant after retiring the technology with the discontinued RX-8 in 2012.

A product blitz starting this year will transform Mazda's global lineup. It's going with larger and electrified vehicles that it bets will boost U.S. sales to record levels in just four years.