RWD Inline-6 Mazda 6

[spcmafia]

Reports date back to 2017 about Mazda working on 2 variants on their new Inline-6 engines. It aligns with the reports of the CX-50 where the powertrain will be provided by Toyota for 2022 production dates.

The Vision Coupe was introduced featuring a 4 door coupe, yes, 4 door coupe. It is rumored it will come with either a diesel engine or a petrol engine hybrid.

https://www.motor1.com/photo/2394528...coupe-concept/

[weederr33]

It's Mazda, so it won't be anything MAZDASPEED. They will equip it only with an automatic and the motor will be more of an econo inline 6. Probably won't rev passed 6k and will be super cool but far from an enthusiast. Idk. Maybe I'm bitter about their latest Mazda 3 hatchback with that 2.5turbo motor.

[mazeroni]

I'm skeptical that they are still working on any sedan. I'd even be shocked if the Mazda3 isn't gone by 2023 when it would normally get a refresh. That is unless Mazda starts using Toyota FWD platforms. The CX-50 is built alongside the Corolla Cross, so Mazda could switch to a Toyota platform for FWD cars.

As for future vehicles, Mazda just announced the CX-60, CX-70, CX-80, and CX-90 to go along with the CX-50.

Although, the CX-50 was rumored to be RWD, but that didn't happen. So I'm not sure what will be RWD and carry the I6.

So, all CUVs and SUVs.

If, however, the new RWD platform is scalable in such a way that they can build the sedan next to any of the above models with minimal reengineering, it might be possible we see a "halo sedan." I'm not holding out that it happens. If it did, it would be a niche product and probably sell as well or worse than the Stinger has, and have the same short lifespan, assuming Kia does kill the Stinger next year.

[Irace86.2.0]

If they want to go more premium, which seems to be their MO, then a RWD platform with an AWD option seems like a must in order to compete against other premium manufacturers, almost all of whom use RWD platforms and longitudinal engines. I think more inline sixes is a great thing, especially turbocharged. A poor man's JDM BMW, and no, I am not talking about the Supra.

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a3...brid-revealed/
https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a3...rive-platform/

[alex87f]

With the car market the way it is now, I can't see Mazda building a RWD sedan with an inline 6 (even less so with a diesel). There's just too many markets where they won't be able to even put the car on sale by the time it's ready.

Electrification is coming whether we like it or not, and it would make zero sense for a car manufacturer specialized in small engines to start building larger ones now.

Also, that concept (no matter how gorgeous it is) is from 2017. If it was meant to be sold, we'd have seen it -or other more production-ready prototypes- by now.

[Captain Snooze]

Originally Posted by weederr33

Maybe I'm bitter about their latest Mazda 3 hatchback with that 2.5turbo motor.

What is it in particular you are bitter about?

[weederr33]

Originally Posted by Captain Snooze

What is it in particular you are bitter about?

That it wasn't offered with a manual or as a hot hatch.

[spcmafia]

Originally Posted by weederr33

That it wasn't offered with a manual or as a hot hatch.

They kind of, sort of released a Speed3, the Mazda 3 TCR, with a tag of $175K back in 2019. It was supposed to debut on a Michelin Sports Even in 2020, but we all know how that year went. Shortly after the TCR program was canceled.

[Ohio Enthusiast]

Originally Posted by Irace86.2.0

If they want to go more premium, which seems to be their MO, then a RWD platform with an AWD option seems like a must in order to compete against other premium manufacturers, almost all of whom use RWD platforms and longitudinal engines.

Not really - Audi is doing fine with FWD biased AWD with pretty poor handling. Both BMW and Mercedes relegated their bottom tiers to FWD architecture. If you'll ask premium buyers, most won't be able to tell you their engine displacement, let alone which wheels are driven (unless it's AWD) or what's the layout of the engine.

Acura is another example.

The evolving car market, particularly the premium market, doesn't really make an ICE RWD platform a "necessity" for an upward climbing manufacturer like Mazda.

Originally Posted by alex87f

With the car market the way it is now, I can't see Mazda building a RWD sedan with an inline 6 (even less so with a diesel). There's just too many markets where they won't be able to even put the car on sale by the time it's ready.

Electrification is coming whether we like it or not, and it would make zero sense for a car manufacturer specialized in small engines to start building larger ones now.

Exactly. Even if they're close to production and can ship 2022 model years they'll probably only be able to squeeze in a single generation before an overwhelming shift to EVs happens. With a more realistic 2023 or even 2024 model year it makes even less sense.

Lotus (of all manufacturer's) have shown the "right" way of doing it, IMHO - pledge a full EV lineup and milk the existing ICE platform with minimal development investment to shore off a few more years of ICE.

[Swift]

Mazda builds their own engines in house I believe. I think the new CX-50 chassis shares similarities to the toyota corolla or Rav 4 and hence why it will be built in same factory. I fully believe Mazda has nailed it in the looks department and is trying to move more premium, and will indeed make a inline 6 and mate it to a hybrid powertrain. Inline6 for harmonics and efficiency is why they are being brought back(BMW supra).


Anyone in the market for a new vehicle for the wife and kids should seriously look at the value per dollar and looks. I run a rare Relex Blue 6spd mazda 6 and get average of 32mpg(80% highway). Torque is lacking, but non turbo 4cyl.

[Irace86.2.0]

Originally Posted by Ohio Enthusiast

Not really - Audi is doing fine with FWD biased AWD with pretty poor handling. Both BMW and Mercedes relegated their bottom tiers to FWD architecture. If you'll ask premium buyers, most won't be able to tell you their engine displacement, let alone which wheels are driven (unless it's AWD) or what's the layout of the engine.

Acura is another example.

The evolving car market, particularly the premium market, doesn't really make an ICE RWD platform a "necessity" for an upward climbing manufacturer like Mazda.

Acura is another example, but is it working making a premium Civic Si with the Integra? We will see.

When Hyundai went up market with the Genesis line, they were offering more for less. Mazda could try to offer the same for the same when comparing their high end models to legacy luxury manufacturers’ entry level models, but Mazda will not have the badge. I think they will need to bring it.

[Ohio Enthusiast]

Originally Posted by Irace86.2.0

When Hyundai went up market with the Genesis line, they were offering more for less. Mazda could try to offer the same for the same when comparing their high end models to legacy luxury manufacturers’ entry level models, but Mazda will not have the badge. I think they will need to bring it.

Genesis is actually a good counter-example - they're based on quite a long line of Hyundai badged cars; some RWD; some (most?) KDM only. The separate Genesis brand in the US is indeed new, but they didn't suddenly decide to make luxury cars, and they have a clear plan for EVs.

It feels to me that Mazda's push upmarket won't really benefit from a RWD platform (even if it would supposedly be shared with their crossovers as well), and for them to invest so much into developing this doesn't make sense.

On the other hand, there were some rumors of Toyota involvement in the I6 engine, so perhaps this is just yet another joint-project that only makes sense at Toyota's scale (same as Subaru wouldn't have made a BRZ on their own, or BMW a Z4).

Finally, I wonder why nobody said it before, but what about an I6 Miata? It would probably be a little nose-heavy (unless they can cram a transaxle in the trunk), but it should still be light overall and a high-revving N/A I6 would be magical.

[Sasquachulator]

Originally Posted by Ohio Enthusiast

Genesis is actually a good counter-example - they're based on quite a long line of Hyundai badged cars; some RWD; some (most?) KDM only. The separate Genesis brand in the US is indeed new, but they didn't suddenly decide to make luxury cars, and they have a clear plan for EVs.

It feels to me that Mazda's push upmarket won't really benefit from a RWD platform (even if it would supposedly be shared with their crossovers as well), and for them to invest so much into developing this doesn't make sense.

On the other hand, there were some rumors of Toyota involvement in the I6 engine, so perhaps this is just yet another joint-project that only makes sense at Toyota's scale (same as Subaru wouldn't have made a BRZ on their own, or BMW a Z4).

Finally, I wonder why nobody said it before, but what about an I6 Miata? It would probably be a little nose-heavy (unless they can cram a transaxle in the trunk), but it should still be light overall and a high-revving N/A I6 would be magical.

I imagine it'll be very similar to a BMW Z3/Z4 but built by Mazda.

[jflogerzi]

Originally Posted by Irace86.2.0

If they want to go more premium, which seems to be their MO, then a RWD platform with an AWD option seems like a must in order to compete against other premium manufacturers, almost all of whom use RWD platforms and longitudinal engines. I think more inline sixes is a great thing, especially turbocharged. A poor man's JDM BMW, and no, I am not talking about the Supra.

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a3...brid-revealed/
https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a3...rive-platform/

bingo