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Mazda is developing gas and diesel inline-six engines

Once the favored engine configuration for luxury and high-performance cars, the inline-six suffered a bit when the transverse (east-west) engine configuration became popular during the shift to front-wheel drive cars. The packaging benefits are obvious – no driveshaft or transmission intruding on passenger space or rear differential on cargo volume, plus turning the engine 90 degrees meant the front of the car could be shorter. But the inline-six is slowly, slowly crawling out of near-obsolescence, notably in BMW, Jaguar-Land Rover and Mercedes-Benz products. Add Mazda to that mix: An investor report first spotted by Jalopnik and confirmed by Mazda reveals that the company is developing a Skyactiv-X and Skyactiv-D inline-six that will be installed longitudinally (north-south) in a new "Large Architecture" platform. Before reading any further, let's catch up on the Skyactiv-X and -D technologies. The former basically burns gasoline like diesel, providing some benefits and advantages of both types of combustion - here's an explainer on how that all works. We drove a prototype 2.0-liter Skyactiv-X 4-cylinder engine in a Mazda3 mule, too. And the Skyactiv-D series of engines is a comparatively typical turbodiesel. Mazda has a 2.2-liter turbodiesel inline-4 that has had a long and convoluted development and certification process, but is finally showing up in the 2019 CX-5. Since Mazda has implemented these technologies in existing four-cylinder engines, we would assume that the new Skyactiv engines will be "modular" – that is to say, they'll essentially be the existing engines with two extra cylinders, rather than an entirely new design. Jaguar-Land Rover is doing a similar thing with its Ingenium engine family. Assuming the Mazda engines will be modular would mean they'll be roughly 3.0-liter units, which is a common displacement for modern inline-sixes. And as we mentioned eariler, they'll be arranged longitudinally, unlike any other Mazda save the MX-5 Miata (and the long-departed rotaries), in a new vehicle architecture. As part of a medium-term plan over the next six years, Mazda will develop some unspecified vehicles on what it calls the "Large Architecture". These vehicles will have 48V mild hybrid and PHEV capabilities, and be able to use a version of Mazda's i-Activ AWD system. Why do this at all?

Mazda, Suzuki, Yamaha — more vehicle data fabrication found in Japan

TOKYO — Mazda, Suzuki and Yamaha improperly tested vehicles for fuel economy and emissions, the Japanese government said on Thursday, revealing fresh cases of compliance failures by manufacturers. The results came to light after the Japanese government had ordered the automakers to check their operations after revelations of improper testing at Subaru and Nissan last year. The conduct of automakers globally has come under intense scrutiny after Germany's Volkswagen AG admitted in 2015 to installing secret software in hundreds of thousands of U.S. diesel cars to cheat exhaust emissions tests, and that as many as 11 million vehicles could have similar software installed worldwide. In the Japanese cases, the carmakers have not broken any laws or prompted massive recalls. But a growing list of improprieties has tarnished the image of the country's manufacturing industry for high-quality products and efficiency. Suzuki, Mazda and Yamaha cleared vehicles for emissions or fuel efficiency even in cases where they were tested under invalid conditions, the ministry said in a statement. The errors related to slight deviations in the speed of the vehicles during testing that should have invalidated the test results. The automakers examined tests they had conducted over different periods of time, and in Suzuki's case they stretched back to 2012. None of the automakers found significant problems with actual emissions and fuel economy performance of the vehicles, which were destined for sale in Japan, and do not plan any recalls. Suzuki, Japan's fourth-largest automaker, said that of 12,819 sample vehicles tested for fuel economy and emissions since June 2012, around 50 percent of them had been inspected improperly. "I deeply apologize and will lead efforts to prevent recurrence," Suzuki Chief Executive Toshihiro Suzuki told a news conference. Mazda said there were irregularities in 4 percent of similar inspections on its cars, or just over 70 vehicles. In Yamaha's case, irregularities were found in 2 percent of inspections, or just a handful of vehicles. Both Mazda and Yamaha apologized. Suzuki and Yamaha shares fell 6 and 5 percent, respectively, and Mazda shares were down 1 percent, underperforming a steady benchmark Nikkei average. In July this year, Nissan admitted it had improperly measured exhaust emissions and fuel economy for 19 vehicle models sold in Japan.

2002 Mazda MX-5 Miata powered by a Jaguar-sourced V6 for sale

Cars & Bids, a relatively new site that specializes in auctioning modern enthusiast cars, is selling a 2002 Mazda MX-5 Miata. While that's hardly unusual, this example lost its four-cylinder engine and gained a Jaguar-sourced V6. Pulling a 3.0-liter six out of a 2000 S-Type and dropping it into an unsuspecting Miata is apparently easier than it sounds. England-based Rocketeer offers a kit that makes the swap reasonably straightforward, though the listing notes the factory air conditioning system is not compatible with the new engine. Cold air aside, the installation is done so neatly that it looks like Mazda envisioned the Miata with a bigger engine. Jag's V6 inevitably adds weight to a roadster praised globally for its nimble handling, but it also brings a whole lot of horsepower to the table. Left stock, a 2002 Miata is powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder that makes 142 horsepower and 125 pound-feet of torque. The example listed on Cars & Bids puts 220 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque under the driver's right foot, figures that easily offset the weight gain. And, somewhat surprisingly, the six spins the rear wheels through a stock five-speed manual transmission. Flyin' Miata sway bars and Koni shocks improve handling. Close the hood, and this Jagazda looks like a run-of-the-mill 18-year-old Miata. The seller made no modifications to the body, it's still painted in its original shade of silver, and he kept the stock 15-inch wheels. The dual exhaust tips hint at the V6, but they're subtle enough to surprise more than a few racers at the next autocross event. The auction is live now, and bidding stands at $4,250 as of writing with about three days left before the hammer drops. If you miss your chance to bag it, several shops sell kits that let skilled shade-tree mechanics shoehorn Mazda's K-Series V6 (which powered the MX-6 and the Ford Probe, among other cars) into an older Miata. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.     Featured Gallery 2002 Mazda MX-5 Miata with Jaguar V6 View 14 Photos Aftermarket Jaguar Mazda Convertible