It’s no secret that Mazda is working on its first full (strong) hybrid system for a debut on the 2027 CX-5. What is surprising is just how fast they’ll be deploying the technology on its other vehicles as well.
Appearing in its annual Mazda Integrated Report, the Japanese carmaker has re-confirmed an end-2027 debut for its much-awaited Skyactiv-Z for the fourth-generation CX-5. Displacing 2.5 liters, this new inline-4 will come standard with electrification (rumored to be a parallel hybrid setup) enabling Mazda to “achieve superior environmental performance and driving performance.”
Given that Mazda is aiming to cut powertrain complexity by half (control software by two-thirds) as part of its “Lean Asset Strategy,” Skyactiv-Z will also make its way to their family of large platform offerings such as the CX-60 and CX-90 in the form of an inline-6.
The in-house hybrid system (Mazda Hybrid System) will replace most current 24- and 48-volt Mazda M Hybrid applications as early as 2028, and will also be used for rotary-engine powered vehicle. In fact, the only vehicle confirmed by the brand to continue using the 24-volt system would be an upcoming “compact SUV” (rumored to be the all-new CX-3) to be built in Thailand.
Meanwhile, its current PHEV (e-Skyactiv PHEV) will continue on with continuous improvements well into 2030.
In the report, Mazda has also revealed that Skyactiv-Z will utilize SPCCI or Spark Plug Controlled Compression Ignition—a technology which made its debut in the Skyactiv-X. In addition, it will also incorporate developments made in combustion technology to achieve a “lambda one” method (air-fuel equivalence ratio). When Lambda is equal to 1, the amount of air is perfectly balanced with the fuel during the combustion process reducing emissions and improving responsiveness.
To fast track the Skyactiv-Z’s development, Mazda has to employ the use of artificial intelligence machine learning to cut development time to less than one-third. Without it, the carmaker believes it would have required 16,000 times as many manhours as were used to develop Skyactiv-G.
In terms of battery electric vehicles, Mazda will launch its first dedicated EV platform by 2027, while still continuing its OE partnership with Changan where they will consider launching two more models aside from the Mazda6e and Mazda CX-6e.
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