The Mazda 6 will reportedly lose its turbocharged four-cylinder engine for 2023.
Japanese outlet Creative Trend reports a minor update for the mid-sized sedan and wagon will be launched in Japan this December.
We contacted Mazda Australia for comment, but they were unable to provide any information on future Mazda 6 changes for our market.
In addition to the mooted discontinuation of the 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the Mazda 6 will reportedly also get two new colours – Rhodium White and Platinum Quartz – but no other changes of note.
That means it’ll reportedly continue to feature the old MZD-Connect infotainment system with an 8.0-inch screen, rather than upgrading to the newer Mazda Connect system and its larger 8.8-, 10.25 or 12.3-inch screens.
We’re one of the few markets to still offer the turbocharged Mazda 6, along with Japan and New Zealand.
It’s not sold in China or Europe, while the entire Mazda 6 line was discontinued in North America for 2022.
It’s one of two engine options offered here, the other being a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder. The atmo four produces 140kW of power and 252Nm of torque, with the turbo model upping those outputs to 170kW and 420Nm.
The Mazda 6 is one of the oldest vehicles on the Australian market, launched late in 2012 but the recipient of a fairly substantial facelift in 2018.
Japanese media had reported a replacement was due, based on the new rear/all-wheel drive Large Architecture underpinning the upcoming CX-60, CX-70, CX-80 and CX-90 crossovers and offering inline six-cylinder engines.
Mazda CX-60
However, chatter of a prospective Large Architecture-based Mazda 6 has subsided in recent months, with Japanese outlet Best Car Web reporting in July that the rumoured Mazda 6 replacement wouldn’t be coming after all as Mazda instead focuses on seemingly more profitable SUVs.
That also casts doubt on a rumoured coupe model on this platform.
Like the CX-60, a Mazda 6 on this platform would have likely been positioned as a more upscale model, moving the mid-sizer from a Toyota Camry rival to more of a contender for the likes of the BMW 3 Series.
MORE: Everything Mazda 6
