While EV sales are slowing down, Mazda is capitalising with new ICE engines
Amid slowing electric vehicle (EV) sales, Mazda has revealed plans for a new family of internal combustion engines, dubbed Skyactiv-Z, which is set to debut in 2027. This announcement, tucked away in the company’s recent financial reports, signals an important step in the brand’s engine development. Does this mean EVs are dead?
Okay, maybe saying EVs are dead is an exaggeration but Mazda has confirmed that the Skyactiv-Z engine will be a new generation of four-cylinder engines designed to replace both the current Skyactiv-G and Skyactiv-X powertrains. Still, this is a sign that perhaps betting on EVs was not the right move.
Moreover, details about the Skyactiv-Z remain scarce, though Mazda has hinted that it will borrow design elements from its newly introduced line of straight-six engines. One key feature of the Skyactiv-Z is the adoption of the “lambda one combustion method.” This technique focuses on achieving high thermal efficiency through super lean-burn combustion across a broad range of engine speeds, from idle to high RPMs.
For those unfamiliar, “lambda” refers to the air-fuel equivalence ratio in the combustion process. A ratio of λ = 1.0 represents the ideal balance of air and fuel, ensuring that combustion is efficient and that harmful emissions are minimised. As of now, it’s unclear whether the Skyactiv-Z will feature any form of forced induction, like a turbocharger, though Mazda has traditionally favoured naturally aspirated engines in its designs.
On top of that, it is also uncertain whether the new engine will incorporate electrification, though Mazda’s ongoing collaboration with Toyota could suggest some form of hybridization or future integration with electric components, especially since Toyota is favouring hybrids right now.
The arrival of the Skyactiv-Z also raises the likelihood that Mazda’s next-generation MX-5 will continue to rely on lightweight, performance-oriented internal combustion powertrains rather than transitioning to a heavier electric vehicle, as some have speculated. Mazda’s commitment to preserving the driving dynamics of the MX-5 aligns with its broader engine strategy.
So while many Japanese manufacturers are following the trend of more efficient ICE engines and hybrids, Europe and North America don’t seem to be following suit. Why this is the case is anybody’s guess but the fact is that EVs simply aren’t selling as well as they used to and there are many “graveyard” style lots with unsold EVs so we will have to see what becomes of that.
