Mazda Is Building An All-New N/A Straight-Six

Continuing its anti-downsizing stance, the Japanese manufacturer is working on a compression ignition inline-six

Updated: 10 Oct 2024

Mazda Is Building An All-New N/A Straight-Six

In news that’s had all of us in the CT office wondering if we’ve been sucked into a wormhole and spat out roughly 10 years ago, it’s emerged that Mazda is building an all-new, naturally-aspirated inline-six.

Yes, it’s definitely still 2019, and no, you’re not dreaming. Mazda, sticking to its ‘right-sizing’ principles, confirmed the plans in a financial results report posted on its global website, which has since been removed. The Internet never forgets, however, so now the cat is well and truly out of the bag.

The engine will be for ‘large architecture’ vehicles, and branded as ‘SkyActiv-X’, meaning it’ll use Mazda’s massively complicated spark-controlled compression ignition technology. This allows for a much leaner burn, dropping both fuel usage and emissions.

It’s a longitudinally-mounted unit, and it will be developed alongside an inline-six ‘SkyActiv-D’ diesel engine. 48-volt mild hybrid technology will feature, and it looks as though a plug-in hybrid version is set to join the ranks.

As for that cars this stuff will be used in, we can’t be sure. Mazda may well be intending to take on the likes of Audi, BMW and Mercedes with a larger premium model.

It’ll be some time before we know more, but with a VW Golf GTI-battling hot hatch Mazda 3 on the way too, plus the market launch of SkyActiv-X happening soon, the Japanese firm is fast becoming a much more interesting company to observe than its larger rivals.

Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.

Comments

This is great news. Very apt that I read this after an article about why Toyota didn’t build its own straight 6 engine for the new Supra

Bring back the 929/Xedos 9!!!

I think mazda is basically the new bmw it has now the 6 cylinders small price rwd and fun handling probably why would you want a 3 series when there is the next mazda 6

Mazda has nice designs.

This really is some good news (for us at least). I can’t imagine them pulling off a transverse I6 design, so that must mean whatever that engine is meant to go in will have a longitudinal layout. Currently the only thing they make with a longitudinal engine is the Miata, and it wouldn’t make sense to make a straight 6 only for that car.

Does that mean the next gen Mazda 6 will be rear wheel drive based? Is Mazda working on an non-rotary rx7/8 replacement to sit above the Miata? And would they consider stuffing this into a miata just for fun? Any possibility for this engine is looking like it will be good.