2018 Mazda 6 2.5L Turbo - Next Mazdaspeed????

Holy crap! Mazda just casually dropped a big hint on Instagram and I found this news story:

https://www.motoring.com.au/2018-mazda6-teased-109848/

Still unconfirmed but this could be a next gen speed! That 2.5L Turbo is no joke.

edit
post from Autoblog

 

I was expecting a prolapsed anus or zit popping... The title screamed click bait lol

 

Mazda has teased cars before, don't hold your breath until they announce a release date including month and day.

 

I'm 90% sure this is happening. We'll find out for sure at the LA Auto Show.

 

I heard it will not be available with a standard gearbox.

 

Looks like it will only be available on the highest trim, the Signature Trim which comes with the 6 speed auto. Their 6 speed auto is pretty good though.

 

Paddle shifter manual mode sport activated may be quicker than a manual.

 

Might be quicker but it’s not as fun and is still gay.

 

No stick shift... No fucks given.

 

TFL interviewed a Mazda powertrain engineer at the LA Auto Show and he somewhat addressed the issue of the missing manual. He said that a big part of the fun of owning a manual is being able to rev out an engine. However the 2.5T engine makes it power down low and by 5k RPM it is already out of steam. So they are sort of saying that a manual wouldn't be that much fun with that engine. He also said that the automatic transmission is better suited to keeping the gears in the powerband. If I can find the video later, I'll post it on here.

 

Here you go:
http://www.tflcar.com/2017/12/2018-mazda6-turbocharged-video/

 

I’m intrigued by this new engine; the transmission does make sense, but some of us just like 3 pedals and a transmission that requires our input. I’ve been driving manuals since I was 18 and like them, hence the Speed3 I own. We own a CX-5 and CX-9. They’re fun, but not like the Speed!


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The current SkyActiv 2.5T engine is really still an economy engine for Mazda. I don't remember where I've read it, but someone from Mazda said that this 2.5T engine is not a "high performance" engine, but that it is suitable for the segment that the Mazda6 is in. What I get from that is that if Mazda really wants to, they can come up with a higher performance turbocharged engine, which will most likely be paired with a manual.