Here’s the really important thing about the new 2016 Mazda CX-9: a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 250 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. Finally, a modern Mazda with some decent power. Can we get that engine in everything?
Mazda unveiled its latest large crossover today at the LA Auto Show, and it looks a lot sharper in person than it did in those grainy leaked photos. (They always do.) And because Americans demand POWER for their TAKING THEIR KIDS to SOCCER, it has some pretty decent numbers from that new direct injection, SkyActiv turbo engine. On regular gas, it gets dialed down a bit to 227 HP.
Mazda promises the high compression ratio turbo engine promises good fuel economy (no figures yet), excellent response, no turbo lag and linear acceleration. It’s also got some trick tech to it. I’ll let Mazda explain here:
At low rpms (below 1620 rpm), the volume of the exhaust ports is reduced by closing a series of valves located just before the turbine that drives the turbocharger. This reduces interference between exhaust pulses and maximizes the energy of each pulse to obtain a high turbine driving force. At higher rpms there is sufficient energy in the exhaust flow and the valves open, allowing the turbine to be driven by a steady flow of exhaust gases as in a traditional turbocharger.
NEAT!
Now I’m hoping—praying, even—this turbo engine will see duty in many Mazdas to come, including reasonably more powerful Mazda3s and 6s; hell, even Mazdaspeed versions of both. I want what I want, Mazda.
Photos credit Mazda, Scott Sorenson for Jalopnik/Yahoo Autos
Contact the author at patrick@jalopnik.com.