Mazda's new inline 6 drivetrain

MmmmmM2 · 06-18-2021, 02:19 PM

https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a3...0Non%20Openers

Wolf 335 · 06-18-2021, 02:24 PM

On first glance it looks like a full frame chassis on that pic cutout.

Are there two front re-bars?

stein_325i · 06-18-2021, 03:12 PM

Greatly looking forward to this. Mazda as of late has engineered some fantastic looking, feeling, and driving vehicles on the market, and has even been rated highly for their reliability. Now if only they got the attention and appreciation they deserve

mkoesel · 06-18-2021, 03:16 PM

Thanks for posting. I hadn't heard the details about the front suspension. This is likely to be one of the very last - if not the very last - all-new vehicle architectures from any manufacturer that was not designed either expressly for BEV or for BEV/PHEV only.

With their dedicated electric platform (including provisions for a rotary range extender, which is pretty damn cool) coming in 2025, it leaves me wondering just how many vehicle generations this new RWD gas/diesel architecture will last. It seems like two, maybe three, generations (up through 2035 or so) is probably about it. Sure, they could always retro-fit it with battery electric drive, and the article mentions that they already plan for it to support PHEV. But once 2025 rolls around, BEVs will no doubt be better served by the successor.

MmmmmM2 · 06-18-2021, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stein_325i

Greatly looking forward to this. Mazda as of late has engineered some fantastic looking, feeling, and driving vehicles on the market, and has even been rated highly for their reliability. Now if only they got the attention and appreciation they deserve

I agree! My wife drives a 2016 Mazda CX5 and it has been an amazing and reliable vehicle.

I think Mazda has some great designs that they just need to back up with some great engines.

Killed by Death · 06-18-2021, 06:29 PM

Had 3 Miata's when I was young and broke...One 626 in the mid 90's...Always liked Mazda!

chassis · 06-18-2021, 09:48 PM

I had a Gen1 Miata, fun car! Those were the days.

hellrotm · 06-19-2021, 06:15 PM

Hmm, very interesting. Had not heard anything about this.

GuidoK · 06-20-2021, 12:01 AM

Tbh I don't know how serious I have to take all these plans.
They even speak of a rotary engine, albeit as a range extender.
A rotary engine is small, but not necessarily very fuel efficient.
Sounds expensive and complicated to develop it just as a range extender.

That i6 is probably ment for the new cx-8/cx-9 3row SUV

Red Bread · 06-20-2021, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GuidoK

Tbh I don't know how serious I have to take all these plans.
They even speak of a rotary engine, albeit as a range extender.
A rotary engine is small, but not necessarily very fuel efficient.
Sounds expensive and complicated to develop it just as a range extender.

That i6 is probably ment for the new cx-8/cx-9 3row SUV

Except rotaries are extremely efficient at steady rpm. It's actually nearly ideal as a range extender.

GuidoK · 06-20-2021, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Bread

Except rotaries are extremely efficient at steady rpm. It's actually nearly ideal as a range extender.

I don't know.
Afaik compression rings (well, not rings of course but seals or whatever you call it) show lots of loss and they burn oil (not a good trait for a clean car)

I've never seen a fuel efficient rotary car. Also not on highway miles.
If you compare their latest efford (rx8) to say an equivalent BMW (for instance a z4 with 3L i6 from the same era; similar weight and power) the bmw is so much more fuel efficient. Both in norm mileage as in real user data (bmw Z4: 9,5L/100km RX8: 13,4L/100km. This is based on real world data of ~300-400cars of both brands and probably tens of thousands of fill ups (spritmonitor)

But if any brand can pull it off, it's for sure Mazda.
But I don't think that platform is going to make it.

E92inNC · 06-20-2021, 01:21 PM

Good to hear they finally confirmed the straight 6 rear drive layout, even if I’m not a fan of the 48v battery. Now gotta wait for them to tell us when the new Mazda6 is coming out with this and that it has a third pedal.

freakystyly · 06-20-2021, 01:22 PM

I always say that rotaries have the hp of a 6 cyl, torque of a 4 cyl and fuel consumption of an 8 cyl.

I agree though that running at a steady, mostly unloaded RPM would likely be the sweet spot in power generation and not in the drive line. It would likely add to the reliability as well, not having to lug around a 4000lb car.

I loved my OG mazda3 except for the poor rust protection. Pretty much on par with the Civic's roof clearcoat problems.

06-18-2021, 02:19 PM	#1
MmmmmM2 Colonel 2669 Rep 2,464 Posts Drives: 2021 M2C Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Claremont, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 Mazda CX-5 [0.00] 2021 BMW M2C [0.00]	Mazda's new inline 6 drivetrain https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a3...0Non%20Openers
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

06-18-2021, 02:24 PM	#2
Wolf 335 Brigadier General 2572 Rep 3,663 Posts Drives: 2007 E92 335i Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	On first glance it looks like a full frame chassis on that pic cutout. Are there two front re-bars?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-18-2021, 03:12 PM	#3
stein_325i Ring Leader of G8X Haters 25302 Rep 8,764 Posts Drives: A Car Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: All-Around iTrader: (0)	Greatly looking forward to this. Mazda as of late has engineered some fantastic looking, feeling, and driving vehicles on the market, and has even been rated highly for their reliability. Now if only they got the attention and appreciation they deserve
	Appreciate 3 alan7467129.50 fiveohwblow3633.00 E92inNC1904.00 Quote

06-18-2021, 03:16 PM	#4
mkoesel Moderator 7544 Rep 19,368 Posts Drives: No BMW for now Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Canton, MI iTrader: (1)	Thanks for posting. I hadn't heard the details about the front suspension. This is likely to be one of the very last - if not the very last - all-new vehicle architectures from any manufacturer that was not designed either expressly for BEV or for BEV/PHEV only. With their dedicated electric platform (including provisions for a rotary range extender, which is pretty damn cool) coming in 2025, it leaves me wondering just how many vehicle generations this new RWD gas/diesel architecture will last. It seems like two, maybe three, generations (up through 2035 or so) is probably about it. Sure, they could always retro-fit it with battery electric drive, and the article mentions that they already plan for it to support PHEV. But once 2025 rolls around, BEVs will no doubt be better served by the successor.
	Appreciate 2 MmmmmM22669.00 E92inNC1904.00 Quote

06-18-2021, 06:29 PM	#6
Killed by Death Brigadier General 16086 Rep 4,321 Posts Drives: '23 X3 M40i Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Had 3 Miata's when I was young and broke...One 626 in the mid 90's...Always liked Mazda!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-18-2021, 09:48 PM	#7
chassis Colonel 8128 Rep 2,512 Posts Drives: 9Y0 Cayenne S Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Einbahnstraße iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 Porsche Cayenne S [7.69]	I had a Gen1 Miata, fun car! Those were the days. Attached Images
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-19-2021, 06:15 PM	#8
hellrotm Banned 4143 Rep 6,924 Posts Drives: F80 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: ...Location...Location iTrader: (0)	Hmm, very interesting. Had not heard anything about this.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-20-2021, 12:01 AM	#9
GuidoK #buildnotbought 13982 Rep 5,517 Posts Drives: Z4 3.0i ESS TS2+ Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Tinkering in the garage iTrader: (0)	Tbh I don't know how serious I have to take all these plans. They even speak of a rotary engine, albeit as a range extender. A rotary engine is small, but not necessarily very fuel efficient. Sounds expensive and complicated to develop it just as a range extender. That i6 is probably ment for the new cx-8/cx-9 3row SUV __________________ Z4 3.0i \| ESS TS2+ supercharger \| Quaife ATB LSD \| Brembo/BMW performance BBK front/rear \| Schrick FI cams \| Schmiedmann headers+cats \| Powerflex/strongflex PU bushings \| Vibra-technics engine mounts \| H&R anti rollbars \| KW V3 coilovers/KW camber plates \| Sachs race engineering clutch \| tons of custom sh#t
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-20-2021, 01:21 PM	#12
E92inNC Captain 1904 Rep 639 Posts Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: woods by the sea iTrader: (2)	Good to hear they finally confirmed the straight 6 rear drive layout, even if I’m not a fan of the 48v battery. Now gotta wait for them to tell us when the new Mazda6 is coming out with this and that it has a third pedal.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-20-2021, 01:22 PM	#13
freakystyly Colonel 3665 Rep 2,022 Posts Drives: F22 B58 6MT Join Date: May 2016 Location: Ontario iTrader: (0)	I always say that rotaries have the hp of a 6 cyl, torque of a 4 cyl and fuel consumption of an 8 cyl. I agree though that running at a steady, mostly unloaded RPM would likely be the sweet spot in power generation and not in the drive line. It would likely add to the reliability as well, not having to lug around a 4000lb car. I loved my OG mazda3 except for the poor rust protection. Pretty much on par with the Civic's roof clearcoat problems.
	Appreciate 1 Red Bread4458.00 Quote