Although much of the world is moving toward full electrification and away from internal combustion, Mazda told investors it would remain the vanguard for gasoline power. One of its ways to increase efficiency and reduce emissions will arrive next year via the innovative Skyactiv-Z four-cylinder engine in the forthcoming hybrid version of the CX-5. However, the automaker also told interested parties that the engine family would expand to include inline-six–cylinder engines.

That could indicate Mazda’s further push upmarket, as a hybridized straight-six could be perfect for a luxury car or SUV. And tantalizingly enough, the company could even return to rotary power sometime soon.

Premium Styling Could Soon Match With Premium Power

The news, released in its annual Integrated Report in its original Japanese, says that Mazda is working on applying Skyactiv-Z technology to a new family of inline-six engines. The automaker has said before that its newest engine family was developed much more quickly than its Skyactiv-G and Skyactiv-X predecessors, which we presume means it could be adapted relatively quickly to new engine layouts. The longitudinally mounted inline-six under the hood of the CX-90 could be one of those, with or without hybridization and turbocharging.

Mazda says the Skyactiv-Z engine will be capable of cleaner and more efficient power generation, something the company deems crucial in order to sell cars in markets that just aren’t ready to adopt fully electric vehicles. Considering charging infrastructure may be lacking in many parts of the world, Mazda knows that an advanced internal combustion engine is a key offering, whether on its own or with the addition of hybrid and plug-in hybrid tech – next year’s CX-5 hybrid will be the first application of the new gas-electric tech.

In the Integrated Report, the Japanese company said it needed to remain a “front-runner” in internal-combustion technology, a position it can probably lay claim to considering how advanced the original Skyactiv-G engine was when it launched in the US under the hood of the 2012 Mazda3. Furthermore, although absolutely no details were provided, the report also suggests that Skyactiv-Z technology could even show up in a rotary engine, which could improve the layout’s inherently high power density (and high fuel comsumption).

How Does Skyactiv-Z Improve Fuel Economy And Emissions?

Details on the Skyactiv-Z hybrid are slim, but it sounds like it could feature some elements of the somewhat disappointing Skyactiv-X engine. Mazda has said that the new generation would evolve its predecessor’s compression-ignition technology, something that’s very uncommon in gasoline vehicles but became a reality for the Skyactiv-X thanks to a tiny spark that created a shock wave in the combustion chamber, spontaneously igniting a lean fuel/air mixture.

Skyactiv-X wasn’t the success it needed to be for gasoline compression ignition to become commonplace, but Skyactiv-Z might be. Although it hasn’t specified exactly how it works, Mazda will implement thermal insulation throughout the engine, preventing any wasted energy from the combustion process. By retaining as much heat as possible within the combustion chamber, Mazda says it can improve both power and efficiency despite using an even leaner fuel mixture – less gasoline and more air – than it did in the Skyactiv-X.

Mazda EVs Are Still On The Way

The Integrated Report makes it clear that the Japanese automaker isn’t turning its back on full electrification, saying that an in-house–designed EV platform is on the horizon. The engineering and development costs are expected to be shared among corporate partners, potentially including Changan Automobile – the two companies’ Changan Mazda joint venture is responsible for the utterly gorgeous 6e sedan and CX-6e crossover, both of which offer range-extended and pure electric powertrains.

When or in what form that EV platform will arrive is yet to be determined.

Mazda’s Famous Sports Car Could Become Electrified

Mazda

While we’re all patiently waiting for a new rotary engine from Mazda, the team is working behind the scenes on a new MX-5 Miata generation. There’s a nearly 0% chance the brand would ever throw a rotary into the MX-5, but we already know the next generation will not have the same powertrain as it currently does. Over in Europe, the model’s 2.0-liter inline-4 just bit the dust due to emissions regulations.

The brand’s CEO, Masahiro Moro, recently commented about how the next MX-5 needs to be “EV-ready.” While we hope they will never make our beloved sports car electric-only, there’s a good chance it’ll use a hybrid powertrain. Mazda is reportedly committed to maintaining the MX-5’s current curb weight, so equipping it with a hybrid battery would mean stripping weight elsewhere. No matter what happens, the MX-5 should retain the same classic sporty DNA that makes it fun, while increasing fuel economy at the same time.

Base Trim Engine

2.5-L Inline 4

Base Trim Transmission

6-speed automatic

Base Trim Drivetrain

All-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

187 hp

Base Trim Torque

185 lb-ft

Segment

Compact SUV

CarBuzz Insight – Why This Matters:

With cars like the surprisingly efficient CX-90 mid-size SUV and the 30-plus-mpg MX-5 Miata roadster, Mazda already has a pretty impressive résumé when it comes to combustion efficiency. Next year’s CX-5 hybrid will only push that agenda further, while the Skyactiv-Z powertrain should ensure efficient internal combustion (that doesn’t sacrifice performance) for the foreseeable future.