Straight-six and rear-drive for next Mazda6

The next-generation Mazda6 will do away with its four-cylinder, front-wheel drive layout in favour of BMW-style inline six-cylinder powertrains and an all-new rear-wheel drive platform.

Available in both SKYACTIV-X petrol and diesel forms, Mazda’s new inline-six engine and eight-speed automatic transmission were outed earlier this year via leaked copyright drawings.

Like Daimler’s latest powertrains, Mazda’s new longitudinally-mounted straight-six is expected to come with 48-volt mild-hybrid technology, increasing power and efficiency by combining a belt-driven starter-generator and a small lithium-ion battery that’s charged using recovered energy.

According to Car and Driver, Mazda’s new mild-hybrid inline six will produce up to 350hp (260kW) and could also power the next-generation Lexus IS sedan and RC coupe.

The move would be the latest step in the blossoming relationship between Mazda and Toyota, which already have a technical tie-up and will each produce 150,000 examples of a new crossover at a new joint-venture US factory from 2021.

The all-new Mazda model was previously referred to as CX-X but could be called CX-10, but will reportedly be delayed by six months due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Similarly, while C&D says the new rear-drive six-cylinder Mazda6 is due in 2022, it cautions that could change thanks to COVID-19.

Presuming it proceeds to production, Mazda’s next flagship passenger model should not only be a sleek rear-drive sports sedan that looks a lot like the 2018 Mazda Vision Coupe concept and competes with the likes of the Lexus IS, Genesis G70, BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

It could also spawn an actual two-door coupe that may finally reinstate Mazda’s famed RX sports car lineage by switching hybrid-six tech for a rotary range-extender EV powertrain.