---
title: "This Is Mazda’s New Straight-Six, RWD Platform"
description: "It's coming with a 48-volt mild hybrid system and will utilize double-wishbone front suspension."
date: "2021-06-18"
modified: "2021-06-18"
authors:
  - name: "Chris Tsui"
    job_title: "Contributor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/chris-tsui"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/41160/this-is-mazdas-new-straight-six-rwd-platform"
categories:
  - "Mazda News"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
tags:
  - "mazda"
---

# This Is Mazda’s New Straight-Six, RWD Platform

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2021/06/large_gasoline_engine_48v_mild_hev_s.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

Yesterday, [Mazda announced plans](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/41141/25-of-mazdas-new-cars-will-be-electric-by-2030>) to have a quarter of its cars be fully electric and *all* of its cars be offered with some degree of electrification by the year 2030. As part of that announcement, it also showed off a picture of what looked like its long-promised, straight-six, rear-drive platform, arguably the most interesting part of Mazda's future apart from the inevitable all-electric (NE?) [Miata](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/32886/2020-mazda-miata-rf-review-why-its-better-than-a-760-hp-mustang>).

Thanks to [*Road & Track*](<https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a36753565/mazda-new-straight-six-rear-drive-platform/>), a couple of details have been discovered concerning this powertrain. Merely billed as a "large gasoline engine" with a 48-volt mild hybrid in Mazda's press materials, the powertrain was confirmed to *R&T* by a Mazda rep as the company's straight-six. The publication also spotted a shaft connecting the gearbox to the front axle, indicating rear-biased all-wheel drive. Look closer at the front suspension, meanwhile, and you'll discover a set of double-wishbones. All good ingredients for a genuinely sporty, luxury-ish sedan.

![message-editor%2F1624023674354-2021-mazda6\_02.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1624023674354-2021-mazda6_02.jpg>)
**Mazda**

This straight-six could power the next-generation Mazda6 mid-size sedan, [which was recently discontinued in the U.S.](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/40723/the-mazda6-and-cx-3-are-dead-in-the-us-market>), or at least its spiritual successor. That last-gen 6 was front-drive-based and powered exclusively by four-cylinder engines, but if it does come back, it’s expected to move upmarket with those extra two cylinders and that new rear-biased layout.

Additionally, Mazda also showed off a future four-cylinder plug-in hybrid powertrain, a diesel mild-hybrid straight-six, and a new EV platform with rotary range extender compatibility, just like in the MX-30.

*Got a tip or question for the author? You can reach them here: chris.tsui@thedrive.com*

## Author
Chris Tsui is *The Drive*'s former Reviews Editor and current freelance automotive journalist. He's based in Toronto.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/cltsuii/>)