Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.Mazda's Next Big Engine Project Shows Signs of LifeMazda is still on a mission to prove the internal combustion engine isn't dead yet. While everyone else is sprinting toward full electrification, Mazda's been stubbornly straddling the line – tinkering with gas engines, hybrids, and EVs all at once. Now, it looks like Mazda's latest engine development is inching closer to hitting the streets.A recent trademark filing in Japan, courtesy of Trademark Watch, shows Mazda has locked down the name "SKYACTIV-Z HEV." Sure, a trademark doesn't mean you'll see it in showrooms tomorrow, but it's a pretty clear sign Mazda's cooking up a hybrid version of its next SkyActiv-Z engine.AdvertisementAdvertisementThat lines up with what Mazda's already teased. The company has said SkyActiv-Z is the backbone of its next-gen hybrid setup, and the next CX-5 is first in line. Considering the CX-5 is Mazda's bread and butter worldwide, this is a big deal.Japan IPOWhat SkyActiv-Z Brings to the TableThe star of the show is, of course, a brand-new 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine built around Mazda's idea of "ultimate combustion." Mazda's goal is simple – to squeeze every last bit of energy out of each drop of fuel, cut emissions, and keep the car fun to drive. SkyActiv-Z leans on ultra-lean combustion and some clever control tricks to make the engine run efficiently in more situations than ever.Mazda's engineers are obsessed with thermal efficiency, trying to prevent heat from escaping through the engine. The more of that wasted energy they can turn into power, the better the fuel economy – without turning the CX-5 into a snooze fest. Even better, the four-cylinder application can also carry over to the brand's inline-sixes.Mazda says this tech should clear both Euro 7 and future North American emissions hurdles, so it's not just a Japan-only party. They're also talking about running the engine on carbon-neutral fuels and even using zeolite-based systems – which, on its own, is also moving forward – to suck CO2 right out of the exhaust.AdvertisementAdvertisementWhile most hybrids these days shrink the engine and slap on a turbo, Mazda's doubling down on improving combustion itself. Add in some electric help, and you get lower emissions, better efficiency, and maybe even a cheaper hybrid in the end.MazdaThe Road to 2027Mazda's already rolling out more hybrid options for the latest CX-5, though where you can actually buy one depends a lot on where you live. Over in Japan, the new CX-5 Hybrid teams up a 2.5-liter gas engine with a mild-hybrid system. You get 176 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque, plus a little electric boost for better efficiency. It still runs through a six-speed automatic, and you can keep your all-wheel drive.Think of this hybrid setup as a stepping stone between Mazda's current lineup and the more advanced SkyActiv-Z models still in the works. Reports out of Japan say Mazda will kick things off with the mild-hybrid CX-5, then bring out its own full-hybrid system around 2027, once SkyActiv-Z is ready for prime time.If Mazda sticks to that schedule, this new SKYACTIV-Z HEV trademark might be the biggest hint yet that the next-gen hybrid is almost here. For a brand that refuses to give up on combustion, the CX-5 could soon be the test bed for Mazda's boldest engine yet.MazdaView the 4 images of this gallery on the original articleAdvertisementAdvertisementThis story was originally published by Autoblog on Jun 10, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
+76 others
