The new Mazda CX-9 has just gone on sale in Australia and the positive first impressions of the motoring media seem to be echoed by the warm reception here too.
In the transition to a big SUV, Mazda’s newfound focus on quality interiors and a swish new design language called ‘Kodo’ have made it through just as well as it did with their smaller cars such as the Mazda6, the Mazda3, and the MX-5.
However, where many of the basic ingredients were shared between those three cars, the CX-9’s 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine is new for the Mazda powertrain line-up where previously its SkyActiv-G petrol engines were only naturally aspirated.
According to CarAdvice, Mazda North America’s vehicle development engineer Dave Coleman said that the new turbo motor does indeed fit the Mazda6 and Mazda3, with the same clearances.
“It fits in a lot of our cars, and where we’re actually going to put it is another question It fits in the same package as the diesel fits in, and the same package that the naturally-aspirated 2.5-litre fits in. Basically, that big space we used for the bundle of snakes exhaust manifold, the turbo is in that space too. They’re all packaged to occupy the same space,” said Coleman.
In the CX-9, it produces 170kW and 420Nm of torque, leading some to speculate as to whether Mazda has any plans for it to trickle that powerful engine down to its more modestly proportioned offerings where, perhaps, its performance can be better exploited.
And so we now have confirmation that both the Mazda6 and 3 can technically house the powerful new turbo engine, but whether Mazda will see fit to offer either car with it under the bonnet is another matter and well out out Mr Coleman’s dominion.
Whether this will result in a more powerful Mazda6 or the rebirth of a Mazdaspeed3 remains to be seen, although our eagerness to see the latter is real and visceral.
For more on Mazda vehicles, including pricing and specifications, check out our Showroom.
