More Performance Mazdas on the Way

According to Autoweek Magazine, Mazda has some pretty big plans for its vehicle

range in North America that involve revising some of its existing core products as well as adding some new models.

Mazda's big debut for the upcoming year will be the brand new midsize 6 sedan, which will be unveiled at Frankfurt. While we're still waiting to see the rest of the exterior and the interior, we're expecting some pretty big things. Mazda has consistently improved its quality as demonstrated through the CX-7 and CX-9, so the new 6 should be a step up as well. A question has been raised regarding the engine lineup for the 6; Autoweek reports that a new, larger inline-four will be the standard base engine, while the V6 will not be the 3.5-liter unit as found in various Ford products, but a new 3.7-liter engine that will debut in the CX-9 crossover later this year.

Apparently the next model down to appear will be the Mazdaspeed version of the recently revised MX-5. As many sources have predicted, it will use the

2.3-liter direct-injection turbocharged inline-four which currently powers the Mazdaspeed3, Mazdaspeed6 and the CX-7 crossover. The engine won't be carried over with all of its 263 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, but rather it'll be detuned slightly for packaging reasons relating to the radiator and the intercooler. You can bet that unlike the previous generation Mazdaspeed Miata, there won't be a tiny “bucktooth” intercooler; a full-fledged unit will be needed to keep this powerful four running in its prime.

Also pertaining to Mazda's sports car lineup is the Kabura. When the Japanese company showed its 3+1 seater coupe back in 2006, it received some pretty high praise for its sporty design, the first vehicle penned by the then-new chief designer Franz von Holzhausen. This light, rear-wheel drive two-door coupe could very well make it to production based on the current MX-5 platform. The only thing that could prevent the Kabura from hitting the assembly line is a concern regarding whether or not it would be sold in Europe

and Japan. If Mazda could do this (a real no brainer), we should see the Kabura sometime after 2010.

For 2009 as a 2010 model year product, Mazda will be launching the next-generation 3. This compact favorite will continue to ride on the European-developed “C1” platform, though it will be heavily re-engineered. Key issues with the current car, such as refinement and interior quality will be addressed, but not at the cost of the car's famed driving experience. Mazda will keep its engine lineup the same (two four-cylinder engines), but expect power on both units to be bumped up a notch or two, and for fuel economy to be improved. A compact crossover called the CX-5 based on the next Mazda3 may also be produced for model year 2011.

Also, Mazda will be introducing the next-generation RX-8 in 2009, and if Mazda chooses to bring over the subcompact 2, it will only be after 2010.