The brand synonymous with Zoom Zoom is reportedly dropping an engine synonymous with decent power: the V6. Strange, no?
Mazda is certainly proud of its new SkyActiv engine (of which I enjoyed for the most part as well), and is likely looking to expand its availability across the lineup. It appears that Mazda may be focusing much more on fuel efficiency than injecting sport into every model it makes by going this direction, but at the same time, that’s the direction the overall market is headed. As such, Mazda USA boss Robert Davis has confirmed that they have no plans on developing a new V6 power plant.
Currently the CX9 and Mazda6 are the only models available with a V6 option, both of which are well overdue for a model redesign. Since most of the industry is dropping V8 engines like hot potatoes, it stands to reason that the replacements of both vehicles will downsize to a 4-cylinder with a SkyActiv trim level available. There is a good possibility of a turbocharged 4-cylinder taking the engine bay of the top trim level, however Mazda remains quite tight lipped on that possibility.
What do you think of ‘performance’ brand downsizing their engine options?
