Mazda has used its third-quarter financial presentation to show its new straight-six engine, which is likely to be used by the next Mazda 6 saloon and estate.
The new six-cylinder unit Mazda announced in 2019, is set to be offered “after 2022” and will be available in petrol, diesel and Skyactiv-X compression-ignition petrol guises.
Technical details for the engine are thin on the ground. All we know so far is that it will be installed longitudinally and mated to a four-wheel drive system, although possibly not exclusively the latter.
Its existence is significant, however, because earlier reports from Japan and the US have indicated that the replacement for the 6 - also expected to be shown in 2022 - will adopt this engine.
Those reports indicated that the model would be rear-wheel-drive, but it’s entirely possible that four-wheel-drive variants could also be offered.
If Mazda does intend to use such powertrains in the next 6, it would push the car’s positioning further upmarket - something Mazda had been trying to do with its smaller models, such as the Mazda 3.
Rivals for the 6 would therefore include everything from the BMW 3 Series to the Kia Stinger GT S.
Expect styling inspiration for the new 6 to be taken from cars such as the Mazda Vision Coupé concept, which was shown back in 2017 as a preview for the brand’s latest Kodo design language phase, first used on the 3.
However, there remains a question mark over the likelihood any successor to the 6 would be offered in the UK and Europe. The model is still popular in markets such as the US, but sales have slowly dwindled here as D-segment saloons from mainstream brands fall out of favour in the face of SUVs.
A Mazda UK spokesperson was unable to confirm or deny its position in the brand's future European product plan.
Mazda has previewed the engine alongside a new plug-in hybrid powertrain and an in-line-four engine. The latter will use 48V mild-hybrid technology and is likely to replace today's four-cylinder unit in due course.
It remains to be seen which models will use the PHEV powertrain, but we expect it to be a priority for Europe in order to help Mazda reduce is fleet-average CO2 emissions.
READ MORE
Mazda 6 to move to petrol-only as diesel production ends
Mazda 6 review
Mazda CX-3 removed from sale 'for the moment'
Join the debate
Add your comment
Diesel versions too
Diesel versions too interesting last year Autocar ran a article saying that this year Mazda would anounce some revolutionary diesel engine tech not heard anything about it yet though, wonder if this has something to do with it.
The car looks great, and if
The car looks great, and if its 6 cylinder petrol and RWD then very appealing too. In which case it will probably be another car that doesnt make it to Europe due to CO2 numbers
EXACTLY what I thinking
Could someone explain to me why us lowly Autocar readers have a far better idea as to what a Jaguar should look like than Jaguar themselves?!
Bill Lyons wrote:
Thats easy - cos the worlds worst car designer - Ian Callum - was head of Jaguar design for 20 odd years, luckily hes left now, so things should get better.