Mazda confirms straight-six engines

Mazda has revealed plans to develop a new range of compression-ignition straight-six engines -- in both petrol and diesel forms – for longitudinal applications in a new large platform that will also accommodate 48-volt mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains.

Unearthing the new technology via its financial year results report overnight, the Japanese car-maker is believed to be investing in inline six-cylinder engines – for the first time -- to fight the trend of downsizing.

The plans are evidenced by a slide from the car-maker’s annual financial report (pictured), in which Mazda lists ‘Straight-six Skyactiv-X engine’ and ‘Straight-six Skyactiv-D (2nd-generation Diesel engine)’ alongside plans for mild-hybrid and PHEV powertrains.

The two engines are listed under the title of ‘Large Architecture’ -- likely relating to the size of platform and body they will power.

Interestingly, however, one of the Large Architecture’s attributes is listed as ‘Longitudinal engine layout (incl. i-Activ AWD)’, which would be a drastic departure from the east-west engine layout adopted across the existing Mazda range.

A north-south or longitudinal engine layout would also give Mazda the opportunity to produce a rear-wheel drive model such as a rotary-powered sports car…

The development of six-cylinder longitudinal powertrains presents a change in tack for Mazda, which last employed a V6 engine in the last generation CX-9. Currently, the car-maker relies solely on four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines to power its Australian line-up.

Mazda’s latest powertrain and platform investment will also allow it to take the fight to traditional luxury marques such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz, which both employ straight-six engines.

Jaguar is also returning to the layout in a bid for greater refinement and packaging.

The SKYACTIV-X strategy will see the Japanese car-maker prioritise capacity over forced induction to achieve competitive power and efficiency.

The upsizing strategy will seemingly be rolled out concurrently with electric and hybrid strategies at Mazda. An upcoming version of the Mazda3, for instance, will employ a SKYACTIV-X spark-controlled compression ignition system that promises diesel-efficiency from a petrol engine.