Mazda has announced its strategy for an electrified future, aiming to improve production efficiency and reduce development costs through strategic partnerships, while confirming that the new Skyactiv-Z engine will power the next generation of the CX-5.
The Japanese brand has reduced its planned investment in 100% electric vehicles, but has revealed that the new Skyactiv-Z engine will debut in 2027 in a hybrid configuration that will equip the next generation of Mazda’s well-known SUV, the CX-5.
Maintaining a “Multi-Solution” approach, which means that depending on demand, the brand will continue to ensure that Mazda vehicles are equipped with options for internal combustion engines, hybrids, or 100% electric, tailored to different driving environments and customer needs.
However, Mazda is strongly betting on the new 4-cylinder, 2.5-liter gasoline Skyactiv-Z engine combined with an electrification system, which, according to the brand, meets Euro 7 regulations as well as the emission standards currently in force in North America, and will allow for a reduction in the number of power units and control software, improving development and production efficiency.
The new family of engines promises to extend beyond the four-cylinder variant, as Mazda plans to use Skyactiv-Z technology in inline six-cylinder engines for larger models. Additionally, the new engine is expected to play a role in reducing emissions for the brand’s next rotary engine. The new lineup of powertrains will allow Mazda to consolidate its engine offerings, reducing the total number of units in use by more than 50%.
In addition to the Skyactiv-Z, Mazda has also revealed that it is developing a highly flexible platform for 100% electric vehicles, both in terms of hardware and software, allowing for the use of various types of batteries and vehicle models.
The Japanese brand has also announced that its 100% electric model, set for 2027, will be produced in Japan and distributed globally, utilizing battery cells developed in collaboration with Panasonic Energy Corporation.
Mazda has further disclosed that the new platform has been designed with future technologies in mind, ensuring that the brand remains at the forefront of innovation in electric vehicles.
“At a time when the automotive industry is undergoing a seismic shift that occurs once a century, Mazda continues to evolve, updating our ‘joy of driving’ for the next generation of vehicles. All of us at Mazda are committed to finding the right balance between efficient business management and sustainable technological development, in order to provide unique value, regardless of the scale of the business”, said Masahiro Moro, president and CEO of Mazda Motor Corporation.
