2018 Mazda 6 2.5L Turbo - Mazdaspeed?

[[R]usty]

Holy crap! Mazda just casually dropped a big hint on Instagram and I found this news story:

https://www.motoring.com.au/2018-mazda6-teased-109848/

Still unconfirmed but this could be a next gen speed! That 2.5L Turbo is no joke.

Might finally be time to start dusting this place off.

[Bingo]

I'm not convinced yet. Mazda's always have been about the driving experience as cliche as that is, and I'm gonna wait for the power numbers (which will likely be fine), weight numbers (less confident here), and most importantly if it will be offered in a stick. The current Mazda 6 GT is not offered in a stick, so I'm doubting they'll have one in this model, but if they do, that would mean they're only adding it for the fun factor, and then I would be more inclined to accept it as a speed. Of course they have no reason to slide this engine into a Mazda 3, but if they did...

Other thought. Is there a chance that Mazda has had the speed models in the works the whole time, but isn't marketing them as the "childish cars" they could be? Maybe they didn't want to be seen like Subaru's man-bro WRX, maybe this is their way of looking like the more mature option so they aren't hyping the cars up?

[aackthpt]

Originally Posted by Bingo Other thought. Is there a chance that Mazda has had the speed models in the works the whole time, but isn't marketing them as the "childish cars" they could be? Maybe they didn't want to be seen like Subaru's man-bro WRX, maybe this is their way of looking like the more mature option so they aren't hyping the cars up?

Yeah, that could be. The usual protocol for secret projects is deny, deny, deny which is exactly what they've done. And they did hint a while back that the Skyactiv turbo motor will fit into all the platforms.

[MoMS3]

Probably wishful thinking, but given they've got an AWD version of the 6 both in EU and Japan, maybe they'll bring it over together with the 2.5t? If only we could get the 6 wagon on top of it...

[Yatta]

recall they were pushing diesel hard until diesel-gate blew up.... low compression diesel and I suspect they had an enthusiast model of the 6 planned but had to pull it because the engine they wanted to use would have been overly criticized and possibly skirting the limits like everyone else has been doing. how much more would the 2.5t weigh compared to the 2.3? a little extra bore might be a good thing if they can shorten the stroke just a little bit.. might allow for some low rev torque

[rymanmazda]

As much as I hope it would bring back the mazdaspeed community, I have a feeling that it will not be anything like a mazdaspeed. Mazda has been teasing crap like this stuff for years and nothing has come out of it.

[Db09ms3]

Damn, this article has more info that the Jalopnik one I read...

https://jalopnik.com/the-mazda6-is-f...ger-1820469184

[aackthpt]

Originally Posted by rymanmazda As much as I hope it would bring back the mazdaspeed community, I have a feeling that it will not be anything like a mazdaspeed. Mazda has been teasing crap like this stuff for years and nothing has come out of it.

That's a great point. Really, if it's not "childish" will it have enough character / stir enough hearts to build a passionate community? I can't say I know anything about their community but even though it's a pretty powerful car I bet there isn't a community around the MB C300, for example, like there is around the AMGs that are much more off the deep end rather than just being powerful luxo-boats with 6 driving modes. I suppose if Mazda's not careful they could end up with something milquetoast like Acura/older Lexuses/older Audis rather than bonkers like Abarth.

Again, GIVE US THE TURBOS AND BUTT STUFF. TURBO THINGS. RIGHT. NOW.

[rusharp]

Sad...yep they bring back the 6 with a turbo..turning out 226hp...wow now that is sad.

[Jeff23spl]

CX9 2.5T 227hp with 87octane but i read it could put in the range of 250 with 93...
http://www.mazdaoflodi.com/blog/does...e-premium-gas/

If you go back to compare a 2.3T in the CX7 vs the speed, cx7 was 244hp with a smaller k04 turbo while speed was 267-270...

All that said, the factory numbers aren't a factor as you can always change the tune and parts to get it where you want to be....You just need a turbo plateform to start and a programmer...

[Frequentflyer]

CX-9's 2.5T puts out 250hp/310 ft-lb torque with 91 octane. 227hp/310 ft-lb torque on 87.

I have the new CX-9 and I really can't tell the difference between running it on 87 and premium. The transmission is tuned to take advantage of the low end torque so it shifts pretty solidly at low RPM. For a big vehicle the 2.5 moves it along fairly well. I believe that it gets to 60 miles an hour in less than 7 Seconds. I routinely get 30 mpg with it on road trips

That being said I think Mazda could definitely get more power out of the 2.5 Turbo if they tuned it solely for premium gas. I'd say 300 horsepower is not out-of-reach.

Now the question is will Mazda make a special motor for the next 3 and label it a Mazdaspeed version or will they just throw in the plain Jane 2.5 turbo like they did with the 6? Mazda has already come out and said they want to up the level of class of their vehicles and don't really want to use the Mazdaspeed name anymore.

I'm sure the 6 will move along nicely with the 2.5 turbo but I'm a little disappointed that Mazda hasn't equaled its rivalries in the horsepower Wars when it comes to turbocharged 4 cylinders. Of course at the same time I don't think it's rivalries get the amount of fuel economy that Mazda can get with its skyactiv technology.

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[Jakeypoo]

It’s in a 6 now. Hope they put it in a 3 next year.

[Djohns]

All they really have to do is get a little more aggressive suspension on it, offer it in stick if they don’t already, change up the tune on it, and maybe add some aggressive looking features for sport car vibe and boom. New mazdaspeed.

[MSMS3]

I didn't know that speed and class are mutually exclusive. European car makers have been doing this for a long time. Audi, BMW, Mercedes, etc.

Heck, Kia just released the GT Stinger with 365 hp and 0-60 mph down in the low 5's or upper 4's. Running 12.6 or so right off of the showroom floor.

Out of frustration, while keeping my now 10 year old MS3 with mods below, my daily driver is now a '17 3.0T supercharged Audi Q5 Quattro. I added a simple oversized crank pulley and a Stage 2 tune and, voila, 430 net hp and mid 12 second quarters.

Would have considered a Mazda in a heartbeat, if they had anything to offer the enthusiast market today. Sad.

Mazda is missing the boat.