The automaker today announced that its all-new 3.3-liter turbocharged inline-six motor will put out 340 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque on premium gas. That’s much better than previous announcements about this new motor, which had a more disappointing output below 300 HP—at least in some markets. But in the U.S., where it will debut on the all-new three-row CX-90 crossover—more on that in a second—it’ll be much more impressive, putting down torque on par with a BMW 340i and the Mercedes GLE 450. Seriously, not bad. This new I6 will also be the most powerful gasoline engine ever produced by Mazda (move over, FD RX-7) and will be backed up by a 48v mild hybrid system for enhanced efficiency and performance. I guess we couldn’t get through a new car news release without talking about electrification a little bit. The new CX-90 crossover will debut at the end of this month. No clue what it looks like yet except for these shadowy teasers, but given the brand’s current (handsome, I think) design language we probably aren’t in for any big surprises or upsets here. Here’s the teaser lightened up a bit:
Okay, that didn’t help at all. Sorry, I tried. The CX-90 comes out at an interesting time for Mazda, and in theory, its sales success should help the scrappy automaker pay the bills for bigger and better things. It’s trying to go more premium than before—if you can’t beat Honda and Toyota and volume, beat ’em by being a more exclusive, more margin-heavy business—and more power is key to that. The three-row CX-90 also has a “performance-oriented” plug-in hybrid variant coming soon, Mazda’s first. That crossover will be joined by the smaller CX-70; both will be the counterparts to the slightly smaller CX-60 and CX-80 sold in Europe and Japan. There’s also the addition of the rotary engine range extender to the electric MX-30, which so far has only been sold in California thanks to its disappointing mileage. On the whole, however, as one of the last remaining small independent automakers Mazda feels behind the curve when it comes to electrification—especially EVs. The same could be said of much of the Japanese auto industry, but Mazda doesn’t have the giant scale that Nissan, Honda and Toyota do, so it’s got to call its shots very carefully. No matter how good the cars are—and they are very good—there’s a sad chance Mazda could be left behind when the battery era is fully upon us. [Editor’s Note: A few things worth noting: This engine, as a rather long inline-six, will of course be longitudinally-mounted and send power to the rear-wheels (or likely all wheels, if I had to guess). Also worth mentioning is why inline-sixes are making a comeback. It’s not about their smoothness (as great as that is) it’s largely about cost-sharing with inline-fours that use the same engine architecture. There’s more to it than that, like how hybridization can remove accessory drive packaging constrains, how stability control/traction control can make rear-wheel drive more palatable to the masses, and other packaging considerations. But that’s a tale for another time (after I’ve talked with a few more powertrain engineers). -DT]. Luckily, Mazda says change is coming. According to Automotive News, Mazda seeks to add electrification of all models by the end of the decade, including the Miata. It’s dumping $11 billion into electrification through 2030 and is partnering with a number of Japanese firms for batteries and necessary EV tech. It may also look into more North American production, which it’d pretty much have to do to get those EV and hybrid tax incentives under the Inflation Reduction Act. We at least know a hybrid CX-50 is coming from the Alabama plant it shares with Toyota. It’s tough out there for a small, independent car company that still cares about making stuff that’s fun to drive. But I’m sure the CX-90 will be one of the better-driving vehicles in its class, and a great option for anyone looking for a Japanese alternative to a German luxury brand with a less ostentatious badge. And in theory, that should pay the bills for all these big battery investments. That’s a lot of weight to put on this I6. I hope they pull it off. An electrified future without Mazda in it just seems like a giant bummer all around. Support our mission of championing car culture by becoming an Official Autopian Member.
The Hybrid Wankel Rotary-Powered Mazda MX-30 R-EV Is Finally Here. Here’s How It Works
Risk And Reward: 2001 Porsche Boxster vs 2004 Mazda RX-8
Here’s Everything At The 2023 Tokyo Auto Salon We’re Excited About (So Far)
The 2022 Mazda 3 Turbo Is An Anti-Hot Hatch In The Best Way Imaginable
Honestly that GM V6 basically feels like a V8 with two cylinders chopped off, and it drinks like one too. In a car like a Camaro it’s a great fit because the average Camaro buyer wants something fast and loud and isn’t concerned with fuel economy….but Mazda doesn’t sell a Camaro equivalent. They sell fancy family haulers and also the Miata….which is on the opposite end of the sports car spectrum. TL:DR-different applications, my guy I love me some Mazda but sometimes it seems they blow around with the breeze. Occasionally they’ll be in front of the storm but often they’re chasing it. Agreed, we need Mazda as a manufacturer. A future without Mazda’s dealers on the other hand….. Plus you would definitely have to fab the trans adapters. Certainly lots of cars have advertised the fact that they have 6 cylinders over the years, but not many others have ever bothered to specify that those 6 are inline However, that’s in 3 series, not something closer like the X5 at 335hp. WTF BMW? Why is the engine detuned so much? I would expect closer to 400 hp out of a 3.3L forced induction I6 these days. The 3.0 supercharged V6 in my 10 year old S5 made 333hp stock. Today it’s at 445hp with an APR stage 2 dual pulley setup on 91 pump gas. (I’m not impressed with Audi’s current 3.0T making only 349hp.) Doesn’t the CTS’s 3.6 Turbo from a few years ago make about 420hp? Is 400 from a new turbo 3.3 really too much to ask for? 340 is rather underwhelming. Color me unimpressed, Mazda. I’m excited to see where the new turbo straight 6s go. I think there are some interesting performance possibilities that won’t require the compromises that a V8 does. They’re also not going to be as stressed as all the 2 and 2.5 liter 300 horsepower turbo 4s are. I, for one, welcome our new straight 6 overlords. As long as there are ways to make them sound good…I have some doubts on that front. I used to design engines for OEMs, back when that was a career that had a future, and I’d rather have an inline six than any other layout. But they do force some packaging issues. You can’t have it go all the way to the front of the car because engine blocks don’t crumple in a crash, so you have to find two and a bit cylinders of extra vehicle length compared to a V6. What else, what else… Six in a line, does me just fine! Ain’t no crime to go inline! (that one is kinda crap, unfortunately.) …. I think I’m done. Get inline Are we ready for Mazda ditch the benign? Hopefully this 6 comes with manual shifts (got the syllable count wrong on the first draft) You get the idea.
