{"id":442,"date":"2025-04-19T17:34:00","date_gmt":"2025-04-19T17:34:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wesuki.com\/?p=442"},"modified":"2025-05-07T10:26:28","modified_gmt":"2025-05-07T10:26:28","slug":"what-if-mazda-built-an-inline-six-sports-wagon-from-the-ez-6","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wesuki.com\/index.php\/2025\/04\/19\/what-if-mazda-built-an-inline-six-sports-wagon-from-the-ez-6\/","title":{"rendered":"What If Mazda Built An Inline-Six Sports Wagon From The EZ-6?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-post-image lazyload\" alt=\"\" style=\"margin-bottom: 15px\" loading=\"lazy\" data-src=\"https:\/\/wesuki.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/2027-Mazda-EZ-6-Wagon-Carscoops-01-1024x576-1.jpg\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-16 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:100%\">\n<ul>\n<li>Our study is based on the new Mazda EZ-6\/6e with an extended wheelbase and wagon body.<\/li>\n<li>Mazda\u2019s 3.3-litre straight-six mild hybrid engine, named Skyactiv Z, would be the headline act.<\/li>\n<li>A battery-powered electric variant alongside a range-extender EV could also be on offer.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Remember those endless rumors\u00a0that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carscoops.com\/2024\/11\/mazda-would-build-a-new-mazda6-if-people-actually-bought-sedans\/\">Mazda might actually build a rear-drive sedan<\/a> with an inline six to rival the BMW 3 Series? Well, as we know, that never happened. Instead, the Chinese and European <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carscoops.com\/2024\/10\/mazda-ez-6-launches-in-china-with-electric-and-range-extended-powertrains\/\">markets got the EZ-6\/6e<\/a>, a Deepal-based liftback featuring both EV and extended-range electric (EREV) powertrains. Nice, but still not quite the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.carscoops.com\/2025\/01\/mazda6-axed-from-australia-one-of-the-last-markets-it-was-still-on-sale\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Mazda6<\/a>\u00a0successor we were all craving for.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ad-placement\">\n<div id=\"82503191-e1d1-435a-874f-9c78a2a54a2f\" class=\"_ap_apex_ad\"><\/div>\n<div id=\"0f7e3106-c4d6-4db4-8135-c508879a76f8\" class=\"_ap_apex_ad\"><\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\tvar adpushup = window.adpushup  = window.adpushup || {que:[]};<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tadpushup.que.push(function() {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\tif (adpushup.config.platform !== &#8220;DESKTOP&#8221;){<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tadpushup.triggerAd(&#8220;0f7e3106-c4d6-4db4-8135-c508879a76f8&#8221;);<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t} else {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tadpushup.triggerAd(&#8220;82503191-e1d1-435a-874f-9c78a2a54a2f&#8221;);<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t}<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t});<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>More: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carscoops.com\/2025\/04\/mazda-is-ready-to-go-with-iconic-sp-production-provided-it-ticks-one-more-box\/\">Mazda Faces One Final Hurdle Before Building A New RX-7<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>But that doesn\u2019t stop us from dreaming. Here\u2019s a look at what could\u2019ve been if Mazda decided to go for a new mid-size wagon. We\u2019ve taken the EZ-6, stretched its wheelbase, lengthened the roof, and naturally threw in an inline six. Curious? Read on to see what could have made a whole lot of sense.<\/p>\n<p><strong>A New Take on the EZ-6<\/strong><\/p>\n<div id=\"taboola-mid-article\"><\/div>\n<div id=\"taboola-mid-article-thumbnails-organic\"><\/div>\n<p>        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carscoops.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/2026-Mazda-EZ-6-Wagon-Front-copy.jpg\" data-type=\"inarticle-image-block\"> <\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n<p>                    <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazy \" src=\"\" alt=\" What If Mazda Built An Inline-Six Sports Wagon From The EZ-6?\" width=\"2540\" height=\"1429\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.carscoops.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/2026-Mazda-EZ-6-Wagon-Front-copy-1024x576.jpg\" data-type=\"inarticle-image\" \/><figcaption>Illustrations Josh Byrnes \/ Carscoops<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>        <\/a>  <\/p>\n<p>As many have noted since its debut, the EZ-6 is based on\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.carscoops.com\/tag\/changan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Changan\u2019s<\/a>\u00a0Deepal SL7, with the byproduct being a handsome liftback sedan with a few proportional quirks, especially around the back end.<\/p>\n<p>So, what are those quirks? Well, the rear end tends to look a bit\u2026 top-heavy, with hefty D-pillars and a tailgate that\u2019s clearly doing too much. The proportions also scream \u201cfront-wheel drive\u201d even though, technically, it\u2019s rear-wheel drive. Not ideal.<\/p>\n<p>Our illustrative study fixes these aesthetic quibbles with a longer axle-to-dash ratio (helping fit that hypothetical inline six) and a rear bumper that\u2019s more upright than tapering inwards. The rear quarter glass sweeps down towards the rear, yet the roofline is such that it doesn\u2019t impact the wagon\u2019s versatility.<\/p>\n<section class=\"type:slideshow\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazy \" data-src=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" alt=\"\" src=\"\" data-type=\"inarticle-image\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazy \" data-src=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" alt=\"\" src=\"\" data-type=\"inarticle-image\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazy \" data-src=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" alt=\"\" src=\"\" data-type=\"inarticle-image\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazy \" data-src=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" alt=\"\" src=\"\" data-type=\"inarticle-image\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazy \" data-src=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" alt=\"\" src=\"\" data-type=\"inarticle-image\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazy \" data-src=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" alt=\"\" src=\"\" data-type=\"inarticle-image\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazy \" data-src=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" alt=\"\" src=\"\" data-type=\"inarticle-image\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazy \" data-src=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" alt=\"\" src=\"\" data-type=\"inarticle-image\" \/><\/section>\n<p>You\u2019ll also notice the sheet metal looks different; we\u2019ve added a more prominent shoulder line and rear haunches to give it a wide, planted stance \u2013 as opposed to the upright (and often dorky) look many EVs suffer due to having a battery pack sandwiched in the floor.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ad-placement\">\n<div id=\"9b1169d9-7a89-4971-a77f-1397f7588751\" class=\"_ap_apex_ad\"> <\/div>\n<div id=\"bb7964e9-07de-4b06-a83e-ead35079d53c\" class=\"_ap_apex_ad\"> <\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\tvar adpushup = window.adpushup  = window.adpushup || {que:[]};<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tadpushup.que.push(function() {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\tif (adpushup.config.platform !== &#8220;DESKTOP&#8221;){<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tadpushup.triggerAd(&#8220;bb7964e9-07de-4b06-a83e-ead35079d53c&#8221;);<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t} else {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tadpushup.triggerAd(&#8220;9b1169d9-7a89-4971-a77f-1397f7588751&#8221;);<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t}<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t});<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The interior? We\u2019d keep it mostly the same, with a few modern updates. Picture a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carscoops.com\/2020\/11\/the-cadillac-escalades-curved-oled-display-is-a-high-tech-eyecatcher\/\">Cadillac-style curved OLED instrument cluster<\/a> and infotainment screen, plus more physical buttons for essential shortcuts. No need to fumble through touch controls at 60 mph. The new longer dimensions would also boost cargo capacity to a respectable 600 liters (21 cubic feet). Practical and stylish, it\u2019s pretty much what you\u2019d want from a Mazda wagon.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Performance: Inline-Six, Please<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carscoops.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/2026-Mazda-EZ-6-Wagon-copy.jpg\" data-type=\"inarticle-image-block\"> <\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n<p>                    <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazy \" src=\"\" alt=\" What If Mazda Built An Inline-Six Sports Wagon From The EZ-6?\" width=\"2540\" height=\"1588\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.carscoops.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/2026-Mazda-EZ-6-Wagon-copy-1024x640.jpg\" data-type=\"inarticle-image\" \/><figcaption>Illustrations Josh Byrnes \/ Carscoops<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>        <\/a>  <\/p>\n<p>In terms of performance, our proposal\u2019s headline act would be Mazda\u2019s next iteration of the 48-volt mild hybrid 3.3-litre straight-six, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carscoops.com\/2025\/03\/mazda-scales-down-ev-investment-confirms-hybrid-skyactiv-z-engine-for-new-cx-5\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">dubbed SkyActiv-Z<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Currently, the turbocharged six-cylinder unit maxes out at 340 hp in the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.carscoops.com\/2024\/12\/mazda-set-for-record-us-sales-continues-development-of-ev-hybrid-and-ice\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CX-90<\/a>\u00a0(although, piggyback tunes are seeing numbers nudging the 390 horsepower mark), and further tweaks could see it pushing the 400 horsepower barrier (294 kW). Power would be sent to all four wheels via a re-tuned 8-speed automatic transmission.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ad-placement\">\n<div id=\"e46c436a-adeb-4b5e-a2c7-56bc36561c10\" class=\"_ap_apex_ad\"> <\/div>\n<div id=\"b25ecba7-3bbb-4ea7-a3a8-dbea91695c07\" class=\"_ap_apex_ad\"> <\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\tvar adpushup = window.adpushup  = window.adpushup || {que:[]};<br \/>\n         \t\tadpushup.que.push(function() {<br \/>\n             \t\tif (adpushup.config.platform !== &#8220;DESKTOP&#8221;){<br \/>\n    \t\t\t\t\tadpushup.triggerAd(&#8220;b25ecba7-3bbb-4ea7-a3a8-dbea91695c07&#8221;);<br \/>\n             \t\t} else {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tadpushup.triggerAd(&#8220;e46c436a-adeb-4b5e-a2c7-56bc36561c10&#8221;);<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t}<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t});<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>More: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carscoops.com\/2025\/04\/mazdas-ez-60-electric-suv-will-also-get-a-range-extender-powertrain\/\">Mazda\u2019s New Electrified SUV Has A Giant Display And A 100-Inch HUD<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Both EV and range-extended options would carry over from the EZ-6, albeit with improvements to the 80kWh EV variant which currently develops 241 hp (180kW). This could be improved to 295 hp (220kW), making it more competitive with Tesla\u2019s Model 3.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Potential Rivals<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carscoops.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/BMW-M340.jpg\" data-type=\"inarticle-image-block\"> <\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n<p>                    <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazy \" src=\"\" alt=\" What If Mazda Built An Inline-Six Sports Wagon From The EZ-6?\" width=\"2540\" height=\"1587\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.carscoops.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/BMW-M340-1024x640.jpg\" data-type=\"inarticle-image\" \/><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p>        <\/a>  <\/p>\n<p>So, who\u2019s the competition for this dream machine? Well, let\u2019s talk about some of the heavy hitters: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carscoops.com\/2022\/05\/the-2023-bmw-3-series-touring-looks-even-better-than-the-sedan\/\">BMW\u2019s M340i xDrive Touring<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carscoops.com\/2024\/07\/audi-a5-replaces-the-a4-with-sleeker-looks-and-more-efficient-powertrains\/\">Audi\u2019s S5 Avant<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carscoops.com\/2022\/04\/embargo-18-01-est-2023-mercedes-amg-c-43-4matic-loses-v6-but-gets-416-hp-kick-from-4-cyl-electric-turbo-powertrain\/\">Mercedes-AMG\u2019s C43 Estate<\/a>. All are blistering fast, loaded with premium vibes, and, let\u2019s face it, come from lineages Mazda isn\u2019t exactly known for (yet).<\/p>\n<p>However, the Japanese automaker has what it takes to develop a vehicle that challenges those old perceptions. Hey, they just need to stop sitting on the sidelines and make it happen.<\/p>\n<p>What do you think? Do we have a shot at seeing something like this from Mazda in the future? Drop your thoughts in the comments.<\/p>\n<section class=\"type:slideshow\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazy \" data-src=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" alt=\"\" src=\"\" data-type=\"inarticle-image\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazy \" data-src=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" alt=\"\" src=\"\" data-type=\"inarticle-image\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazy \" data-src=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" alt=\"\" src=\"\" data-type=\"inarticle-image\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazy \" data-src=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" alt=\"\" src=\"\" data-type=\"inarticle-image\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazy \" data-src=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" alt=\"\" src=\"\" data-type=\"inarticle-image\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazy \" data-src=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" alt=\"\" src=\"\" data-type=\"inarticle-image\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazy \" data-src=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" alt=\"\" src=\"\" data-type=\"inarticle-image\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazy \" data-src=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" alt=\"\" src=\"\" data-type=\"inarticle-image\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazy \" data-src=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" alt=\"\" src=\"\" data-type=\"inarticle-image\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazy \" data-src=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" alt=\"\" src=\"\" data-type=\"inarticle-image\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazy \" data-src=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" alt=\"\" src=\"\" data-type=\"inarticle-image\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazy \" data-src=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" alt=\"\" src=\"\" data-type=\"inarticle-image\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazy \" data-src=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" alt=\"\" src=\"\" data-type=\"inarticle-image\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazy \" data-src=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" alt=\"\" src=\"\" data-type=\"inarticle-image\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazy \" data-src=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" alt=\"\" src=\"\" data-type=\"inarticle-image\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazy \" data-src=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" alt=\"\" src=\"\" data-type=\"inarticle-image\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazy \" data-src=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" alt=\"\" src=\"\" data-type=\"inarticle-image\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazy \" data-src=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" alt=\"\" src=\"\" data-type=\"inarticle-image\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazy \" data-src=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" alt=\"\" src=\"\" data-type=\"inarticle-image\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazy \" data-src=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" alt=\"\" src=\"\" data-type=\"inarticle-image\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazy \" data-src=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" alt=\"\" src=\"\" data-type=\"inarticle-image\" \/><\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Our study is based on the new Mazda EZ-6\/6e with an extended wheelbase and wagon body. Mazda\u2019s 3.3-litre straight-six mild hybrid engine, named Skyactiv Z, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":444,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[11],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wesuki.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/442"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wesuki.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wesuki.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wesuki.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wesuki.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=442"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/wesuki.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/442\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":445,"href":"https:\/\/wesuki.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/442\/revisions\/445"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wesuki.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/444"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wesuki.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=442"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wesuki.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=442"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wesuki.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=442"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}