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Mazda says Skyactiv-X will come to the U.S, but not when

Mazda executives say the new 2.0-liter Skyactiv-X powerplant will still take some time to arrive to the North American market. The Skyactiv-X is a high-compression gasoline engine, and its 16:1 compression ratio is comparable to that of a diesel engine. "We have a lot of technology. And we are introducing each technology in each region when the time is right," said Mazda North America CEO Masahiro Moro at the SAE International WCX Conference, according to Automotive News. Moro stated that while the Skyactiv-X can indeed pass EPA emissions regulations, it's not in the immediate pipeline for U.S-bound Mazdas; the slightly less hardcore Skyactiv-G will be amended first. The launch-spec 2.5-liter Skyactiv-G engine in the new Mazda 3 will reportedly be supplemented by a 2.0-liter Skyactiv-G, which also has a bold compression ratio: according to Mazda, its ratio of 14:1 is the highest of any production gasoline engine. However, Moro didn't state the exact timeline for that Skyactiv-G's arrival, either. The compression ratio of the 2.5-liter "big block" available now is 13:1. In the 2019 model-year Miata roadster, the 2.0-liter Skyactiv-G makes 181 horsepower, and an earlier Slovakian Euro-spec leak mentioned the 2.0-liter 3's power figure at 164hp. The bottom line is thermal efficiency through being able to extract more energy out of gasoline, and moving from G to X would improve fuel economy by 20-30 percent while giving more power. If the Slovakian specifications are to be believed, the Skyactiv-X would make 178h p and 164 lb-ft in the Mazda3.

2018 Mazda CX-5 teased ahead of LA reveal

While it will make its full debut at the LA Auto Show, Mazda released a teaser of the new CX-5 ahead of time. Like so many other teasers, the car is obscured by low light, but we can make out some significant details. For one, it appears that Mazda has toned down the muscular curves of the current CX-5's front fenders. In fact, many of the crisp creases of the current model have been softened on this new version. Below you can see a brighter version of the teaser alongside an image of the current model. The greenhouse also appears lower and longer than the current model, and it's highlighted by a chrome strip running from the A-pillar back to the roof. Where it terminates also seems to suggest this CX-5 could have the "floating" roof look that's so popular now. However, when comparing the teaser image with recent spy photos, it could just as easily have a more traditional rear pillar and roof design. Those same spy photos also reveal that the new CX-5 will get a more aggressive, concave grille with a mesh insert. This image is all Mazda has revealed of the new crossover so far, so we'll have to wait until the reveal on November 16 for all the details. Related Video:

Driving a $500 junker in a 500-mile off-road rally race | 'The List' #0500

Jessi and Patrick have done some insane rally races on "The List," but in an effort to continually out-do themselves, this might be the craziest yet. It's called the Gambler 500, and the idea is that 2,000-plus participants take $500 cars and drive them 500 miles across Oregon, mostly off-road. It's a maniacal mishmash of cars with not enough doors, too many doors, airplane wings strapped to the tops, graffiti'd cartoons on the hoods, stuffed animals hanging out the windows — you get the idea. Our hosts start the race with an absolutely epic Mazda Miata sitting atop super swampers. It didn't have a top, but have no fear because it had a roll cage, so ... that's better? Unfortunately though, they didn't have time to customize the car fully to their liking before the race, so the first stop after the starting gun was naturally a garage sale for some knickknacks to give the car a little more flair. One of the defining aspects of the Gambler 500 is having the most obnoxious, bonkers car possible, and the old Miata needed a bit of a kick in the ass. Thankfully, the crew found the largest teddy bear in existence, strapped that bad boy to the roll cage, and they were on their way. There are a few routes you can choose to take in the Gambler 500, and our crew chose the most challenging, called "The Devil's Butthole." A hilarious name for an outrageously fun route, it's definitely not one that many Miatas have likely tackled. And therein lies the gamble: Will they make it to the end? As always, you'll have to watch the episode above to find out. If you liked the episode, don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube page and like our Facebook page for more exclusive content from "The List" and if you're interested in learning more about the Gambler 500 or even participating in the event, check out their official website or follow them on Facebook! Click here to find more episodes of "The List" Click here to learn more about our hosts, Jessi and Patrick Auto News Celebrities Weird Car News Mazda Convertible Special and Limited Editions The List Videos Original Video jessi combs patrick mcintyre