Mazda Says No To Downsized Two- And Three-Cylinder Turbo Engines

Mazda’s SkyActiv engine family has been, until recently, an entirely naturally aspirated range, but the upcoming CX-9 is set to change that, introducing the first SkyActiv Turbo.

The official line from the company is that turbocharging will only be used where it can replace cylinder count - in the case of the CX-9 that means the previous model’s V6 engine makes way for a turbocharged four-cylinder.

The reason, according to Mazda’s North American Vehicle Development Engineer, Dave Coleman, is because the efficiency gains through removing friction losses by removing cylinders, are greater than simply downsizing an engine’s capacity.

Mazda News and Reviews