Mazda Unleashes the Possibility of More Power for the New Inline 6 Engine
Two new Mazda SUVs take their place in our automotive world. Bringing more power and a new hybrid powertrain to the Mazda lineup. We’ve already seen the Mazda CX-90 and its slightly different twin, the CX-70, arriving for the 2025 model year. Both SUVs utilize a new inline 6-cylinder engine that delivers good power. Mazda expects to find more juice from this new engine.
What powers these Mazda SUVs?
The smooth and powerful setup for the new Mazda SUVs utilizes a 3.3-liter turbocharged inline 6-cylinder engine. This engine produces 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque in its base form. The S trims deliver 340 ponies and 369 lb-ft of torque. This engine mates to an eight-speed automatic transmission. This transmission can be a little reluctant to be sporty when using the steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, but that could change.
Could the CX-70 become the sportier Mazda SUV?
These two Mazda SUVs share the same body size. The CX-70 provides seating for five across two rows while the CX-90 adding a third row to offer seating for eight people. This means the new CX-70 is a midsize SUV with ample cargo room and a luxurious cabin covered in upscale materials.
The CX-70 has a lower weight and should start at a much more affordable price. That’s not the interesting part of the story. Could Mazda turn on the charm with a coupe-like body style developed for future CX-70s, making it the sportier of the two SUVs?
What makes us think Mazda wants more power for the inline 6-cylinder engine?
A recent interview on the AutoGuide Show with Jon Leverett, project manager for launch strategy at Mazda USA, gives us a little insight into future expectations for the new engine. During the interview, Leverett told AutoGuide:
“…in performance, these inline-6 engines, this is obviously a first for us. This is just the first step with it. Expect more to come in terms of performance. We want to grow that threshold. In terms of performance, we want to push those thresholds further.”
This is enough to get the creative juices flowing. Mazda’s 3.3-liter engine is larger than inline 6-cylinder engines offered by BMW and Mercedes-Benz, making the idea of 400 horsepower not only a possibility, but a virtual reality.
Could this lead to sportier Mazda sedans?
In a world trying to push gas-powered engines out the door, it’s difficult to get too excited about a non-hybrid or non-EV powertrain. Still, the turbocharged 3.3-liter inline 6-cylinder engine from Mazda has us thinking.
Could we see sporty Mazda sedans with this engine under the hood? Will they come with more than 400 horsepower, delivering real “zoom zoom” power to take what the Miata has built to another level?
Source: AutoGuide
