Is the Mazda6 going BMW-hunting with a new platform, and an inline-6?
Recent reports indicate that the 2023 Mazda6 will be a rear-wheel-drive vehicle with a longitudinally-placed inline-six. While we love the styling and proportions on the current, there is always room for improvement, as this rendering from Kolesa.ru demonstrates.
The artist creating this image unofficially used the current-generation midsize sedan to start with. He also included a greenhouse and doors that were presumably taken straight from the Mazda6 brochure. The rendering shows a longer dash to axle ratio, which clearly reflects the new 6’s traction arrierelayout. With enough space for a front-mid engine like the HTML5 sports car, the long hood makes it ideal for an inline six. It also improves handling and weight distribution.
It looks very similar to the current midsize Mazda at the rear, but with some key differences. The design features a taller rear spoiler that is beautifully integrated into the design. These taillights look a lot like the MX-30 crossover and the Miata. The concave trunk lid may have a little too much Hyundai Hyundai Sonata, but it still shows a well-designed sedan.
We don’t know what powertrain options Mazda will offer us for the new Mazda 6, but it is possible. We expect a more advanced, modernized Skyactiv-G 2.5-liter Inline-four paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The 2020 Mazda6 has a turbocharged version. Then there’s the inline-six rumor. We believe it could incorporate SkyactivX compression ignition technology. Although we would be surprised to see a manual transmission for Mazda’s sedan in the U.S., it is possible. However, Mazda does occasionally have a strict-driver streak. An all-wheel drive option will be available. The company’s rotary/hybrid capacitor powertrain might also be available.
In-cabin tech is the one area where Mazda needs to improve. While Mazda’s interior design is some of the best, the Motor1.com staff are nearly dissatisfied with its infotainment system. We expect an equal amount of effort to be made in ergonomics given the company’s investment in new platforms, powertrains and other technologies.
The 2023 Mazda6 will be available by the end 2022. We are hoping it will look something like this.