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Next-gen Mazda6 reportedly getting RWD, straight-six it shares with Toyota

Last June, Japan's Best Car magazine laid out what we considered a whopper series of rumors about future Mazda developments. The mag said it had been speaking to a Toyota source on an unrelated matter, and found out that Mazda's work on a straight-six Skyactiv engine was predicated on that engine's use in Toyota Group vehicles, including Lexus models. Car and Driver has apparently consulted its own sources, and in a new report utters many of the same pronouncements as Best Car. The next-generation Mazda6, due around 2022, will molt out of its transverse engines on a front-driver platform, and be the first home for the longitudinally-mounted straight-six on the automaker's new rear-wheel drive "Large Architecture."  The gas-powered Skyactiv-X six-cylinder, a shade under 3 liters of displacement, will get help from a 48-volt hybrid system, and top output could hit 350 horsepower. A second straight-six will come in an oil-burning Skyactiv-D flavor, and PHEVs are certain to eventually factor into the equations. The sheetmetal around the bodywork will draw inspiration from the four-door Mazda Vision Coupe concept that debuted at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show. Describing a scenario we can only cross our fingers for, C/D writes "there's a chance Mazda will mimic Lexus and put inline-six into both four- and two-door bodies," grabbing another unused concept as a design guide for the latter, the two-door RX Vision concept from the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show. C/D suspects the increasing cooperation between Mazda and Toyota will not only pay the bills for Mazda's sports sedan, but compel the Large Architecture to take a couple of side jobs in Toyota City. C/D writes, "Toyota may adopt the six-cylinder Skyactiv-X for the next-generation Lexus IS and RC." According to the recently leaked dealer report, the next-gen IS could be with us in 2021 as a 2022MY offering. Betting money seems to be on the sedan sticking with Toyota's TNGA platform and Lexus engines until a brand new model shows around 2026, though.

Mazda boss says no to new-generation Mazda3 hot hatch

Mazda offered a hot, turbocharged version of the Mazda3 model during the car's first two generations, badging it either the MPS or the Mazdaspeed 3 depending on the market. The third generation car didn't get a hot-hatch variant, and now Mazda is saying there won't be one for the freshly revealed fourth-gen car, either. Mazda's new global boss, Akira Marumoto, told Australian motor journalists at the Los Angeles show that there won't be an MPS in the cards. As Drive quotes Marumoto: "Mazda is a small player, and if [you are asking whether] that segment has a high particular priority for Mazda, my answer would be no. Therefore we not planning for MPS in the future." Marumoto stated that Mazda would rather establish itself as a genuine premium carmaker comparable to its European rivals, stressing that this would be achievable through quality, comfort and refinement improvements in the existing lineup rather than expanding into other segments. As well as nixing the Mazda3 MPS, Marumoto also said that despite repeated queries, the function of the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show car RX Vision was to preview the evolution of the Kodo design language and not to herald the arrival of a new rotary sportscar. So, it's time to cue the Mazda Kills Rotary Sports Car Again headlines. Marumoto also told journalists that there won't be an EV sports car or a completely driverless car from Mazda either: He said he prefers the smell of gasoline to full electric power, and that Mazda will never build a car without a steering wheel. For Mazda, autonomous capabilities would serve to bring the car to a safe halt in the case of an incapacitated driver, instead of doing the driving. However — and there is a strong "however" — Mazda did tell us that the turbocharged 2.5-liter engine does fit into the new 3. Mazda representatives said that the header on the naturally aspirated version is big enough as it is, making it easy to shoehorn in the 250-horsepower turbo version without issue. They also said that the company is closely monitoring buyer demand, which originally led to the turbo being available on the Mazda6 and CX-5, along with justifying the introduction of all-wheel-drive in the new Mazda3. So: if there is a case for it, the turbo might come — just don't call it a Mazdaspeed 3, or view it as an overt hot hatch. But the shoe fits.

Mazda has no plans for an RX-9, despite ongoing rotary development

We know Mazda is capable of making wonderful cars in any form or bodystyle. It also likes to tease enthusiasts with promising concepts like the stunning RX-Vision. In news that's sure to raise the ire of enthusiasts around the world, it seems the automaker has no plans to follow through with a production version of that beautiful, Soul Red coupe. In fact, it doesn't look like Mazda is interested in building any sports car that would slot above the Miata. In an interview with Automotive News, Mazda CEO Masamichi Kogai responded with a simple "No" when asked if Mazda has plans for a larger sports car entry. Kogai was asked if Mazda has any plans for a production rotary. He said that the 1.5- and 2.0-liter engines in the Miata are more exhilarating. That's a debatable and subjective argument that thousands of rotary owners both past and present would likely disagree with. It's more likely that despite ongoing development of the Wankel, Mazda is still struggling to meet emissions standards. Despite the advantages of a rotary (high power-to-weight ratio, compact size, rev-happy nature), it's not very fuel efficient and struggles with emissions testing. Also, despite the prestige and attention a halo sports coupe could potentially bring, Mazda is a small, independent automaker that needs to focus on mass appeal. Creating an all-new design with a unique engine isn't cheap. Badging a non-rotary car as an RX would be sacrilege, so don't expect an RX anything anytime in the near future. Current RX owners should take a moment to lament. Their car probably needs another quart of oil anyway. Related Video: