Episode Details

Mazda’s Next Big Engine Project Shows Signs of Life

Mazda is still on a mission to prove the internal combustion engine isn’t dead yet. While everyone else is sprinting toward full electrification, Mazda’s been stubbornly straddling the line – tinkering with gas engines, hybrids, and EVs all at once. Now, it looks like Mazda’s latest engine development is inching closer to hitting the streets.

A recent trademark filing in Japan, courtesy of Trademark Watch, shows Mazda has locked down the name "SKYACTIV-Z HEV." Sure, a trademark doesn’t mean you’ll see it in showrooms tomorrow, but it’s a pretty clear sign Mazda’s cooking up a hybrid version of its next SkyActiv-Z engine.

That lines up with what Mazda’s already teased. The company has said SkyActiv-Z is the backbone of its next-gen hybrid setup, and the next CX-5 is first in line. Considering the CX-5 is Mazda’s bread and butter worldwide, this is a big deal.

What SkyActiv-Z Brings to the Table

The star of the show is, of course, a brand-new 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine built around Mazda’s idea of “ultimate combustion.” Mazda’s goal is simple – to squeeze every last bit of energy out of each drop of fuel, cut emissions, and keep the car fun to drive. SkyActiv-Z leans on ultra-lean combustion and some clever control tricks to make the engine run efficiently in more situations than ever.

Mazda’s engineers are obsessed with thermal efficiency, trying to prevent heat from escaping through the engine. The more of that wasted energy they can turn into power, the better the fuel economy – without turning the CX-5 into a snooze fest. Even better, the four-cylinder application can also carry over to the brand’s inline-sixes.

Mazda says this tech should clear both Euro 7 and future North American emissions hurdles, so it’s not just a Japan-only party. They’re also talking about running the engine on carbon-neutral fuels and even using zeolite-based systems – which, on its own, is also moving forward – to suck CO2 right out of the exhaust.

While most hybrids these days shrink the engine and slap on a turbo, Mazda’s doubling down on improving combustion itself. Add in some electric help, and you get lower emissions, better efficiency, and maybe even a cheaper hybrid in the end.

The Road to 2027

Mazda’s already rolling out more hybrid options for the latest CX-5, though where you can actually buy one depends a lot on where you live. Over in Japan, the new CX-5 Hybrid teams up a 2.5-liter gas engine with a mild-hybrid system. You get 176 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque, plus a little electric boost for better