[Auto] Mazda reveals straight-six engine that could be used for next 6.

[S9OUL.]

-The new six-cylinder unit, which was 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 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 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 po[CENSORED]r in markets such as the US, but sales have slowly dwindled here as D-segment saloons from mainstream brands fall out of favor 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.