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November 8, 2024

Mazda Quietly Reveals Skyactiv-Z; All-New 2026 CX-5 Details


Mazda has plans to simply and consolidate its engine line-up in a bid to improve its operational efficiency. This has been revealed by the carmaker, particularly with its new “Skyactiv-Z” engine which is intended to replace both the current Skyactiv-G and Skyactiv-X.

Revealed in the company’s fiscal year report, Skyactiv-Z will make its debut in 2027. Naturally, Mazda hasn’t released tons of information as of yet.

Mazda has revealed two things about Skyactiv-Z, however. The first is has to do with its high thermal efficiency and super lean burn combustion which is achieved over a wide rpm band using the “lambda one” method. Lambda represents the air-fuel equivalence ratio. When Lambda is equal to 1, the amount of air is perfectly balanced with the fuel during the combustion process. In this scenario, efficiency is optimized, therefore reducing emissions, and hopefully, improve responsiveness. The second is that Skyactiv-Z will be rolled out first in Europe and the United States to help Mazda comply with the upcoming Euro 7 and EPA’s Tier 4 emissions standards.

Mazda will continue to develop the rotary engine and will also apply technologies from Skyactiv-Z to its inline-6 line-up by the time its next-generation comes around in 2028 to 2030.

Elsewhere, Mazda has revealed some nuggets about the all-new CX-5. Chief among them is a launch sometime 2025 to 2027. This third-generation compact SUV will then use an in-house developed hybrid system. No word on whether it’ll be a strong hybrid (like Honda, Toyota, or Subaru) or mild hybrid, but given that Mazda’s already late to the game, it’ll be big downer if it’s the latter.

German dealers, however, said that the all-new CX-5 will come in mild, full, and plug-in hybrid varieties and will come with a much longer body (up by around 110 mm). A global launch may happen before the end of 2025 with the 24-volt mild hybrid arriving first.

In addition, Mazda will reduce the CX-5’s model complexity by 60 percent. This means there will be less variants and options on offer, streamlining the ordering and production process. Hopefully, this would also mean a higher standard specification across the range.

After applying this to the CX-5, the company also hopes to simplify the line-up of vehicles such as the Mazda3 and CX-30 to remove any kinks or shortfalls in its supply chain.

By 2027, Mazda will also be launching its very own EV riding on a dedicated platform. Given the current slowdown in global EV demand, the carmaker says they can quickly pivot it to include a Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) derivative.

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